Strategic Development Leader | Market Access Advocate | Community Builder

Luis Alberto Perales

Luis Alberto Perales, M.S., is a seasoned strategist, educator, and advocate with over two decades of experience advancing equity-driven initiatives across the U.S.–Mexico borderlands and beyond. A proud native of the Rio Grande Valley in South Texas, Luis was raised along the border by an immigrant mother and a sixth-generation Tejano father—an upbringing that shaped his deep commitment to community, culture, and justice.

Luis began his professional journey in Tucson, Arizona, where he spent more than 20 years designing and leading programs that empowered historically marginalized communities across southern Arizona and other major U.S. cities. His work consistently focused on building grassroots power, expanding institutional capacity, and training leaders to drive lasting, systemic change.

Today, Luis serves as Director of Strategic Development at Mexicayotl Academy of Excellence, a nationally acclaimed Blue-Ribbon award-winning institution recognized for creating Ivy League school graduates, where he applies his unique blend of cultural insight, organizational strategy, and leadership development to strengthen educational ecosystems along the border.

A two-time graduate of the University of Arizona’s Department of Mexican American Studies, Luis also holds credentials as a Green for All Fellow and a two-time Export Fellow, further underscoring his commitment to sustainability, innovation, and global perspective.



Whether working with schools, nonprofits, or advocacy networks, Luis is known for aligning mission with impact—helping organizations and communities unlock bold, sustainable growth rooted in cultural integrity and strategic vision.