Ariana Chavez Hayes

As Program Officer, Ariana brings eight years of experience working in and with higher education and non-profit organizations. She is passionate about connecting with underserved communities and collaborating with leaders as they navigate the questions and challenges of their work.

Prior to joining the Foundation, Ariana served low-income women and children at the Women’s Bean Project and Sun Valley Youth Center in Denver, CO. It was there that she developed a heart for cultivating impactful relationships, providing trauma-informed care, and supporting individuals on their journey toward health and stability. In her work, she also draws from her experience in higher education enrollment, where she oversaw recruitment and application processes, led collaborative events, and served non-profit leaders in finding resources that best served their community’s needs.

After graduating from Westmont College with a B.A. in Religious Studies, Ariana went on to earn an M.A. in Intercultural Studies from Fuller Seminary.