2025 Annual Convening Speakers

Ricky Abilez (they/them) is a Queer, Latine artist, educator, and advocate currently serving as Director of Policy & Advocacy at Arts for LA, the region’s leading arts advocacy organization. For nearly a decade, Ricky has worked as a performing artist, freelance producer, and nonprofit administrator with esteemed arts organizations like South Coast Repertory, Walt Disney Concert Hall, and The Ford. They have developed and taught a culturally responsive curriculum on using art for social justice at high schools across the U.S. and serve on the Board of Directors at 4C LAB and Celebration Theatre. They hold a BFA in Theatre Arts from Cal State Fullerton and an MPA in Education Policy and Public Policy Analysis from the University of Colorado Denver.