Alumni Spotlight

Daniel Gonzalez was participant/founder of One Step A La Vez from 2004-2009 and was then hired as an Adelante Youth Coordinator from 2011-2015. He also served on the One Step Board of Directors between 2017-2018

He is a passionate community organizer and advocate with over a decade of experience advancing equity and justice across California’s Central Coast. As the newly appointed Executive Director of Unidos 805, he is committed to immigrant rights, grassroots power-building, and ensuring communities have the resources they need to thrive. Previously, Daniel served as the Director of Organizing and Advocacy at Future Leaders of America (FLA), where he led youth-driven campaigns, built the Civic Engagement pillar, and mobilized hundreds of youth for Get Out the Vote efforts. His leadership at FLA resulted in successful initiatives like an alcohol ordinance in Santa Barbara, school board redistricting, expanded mental health services in Oxnard, and the “A-G for All” policy to increase access to higher education. Trained by the Midwest Academy and the Center for Third World Organizing, Daniel holds a B.A. in Sociology from UC Santa Barbara and resides in Fillmore with his wife, Sweet Melodie, and their daughter, Danielle.