DEIA Advisory Committee – Cristina González Alcalá

One of Akron’s biggest champions, Dr. Cristina González Alcalá is a native of Durango, Mexico. Cristina is the Community Investment Officer at Akron Community Foundation, co-owner of Mango & The Prickly Cactus, LLC, makers of Not Yo’ Daddy’s Mexican Hot Sauce® and Senior Lecturer for the University of Akron’s Department of Public Administration and Urban Studies.

Cristina came to the United States to play golf for the University of Louisville. She arrived in Akron in 2008 as the Graduate Assistant Coach for Women’s Golf at the University of Akron. After a year of coaching, she continued her graduate studies while conducting research. She went on to earn a Master of Public Administration, a Master of Arts in Communication and a doctorate in Urban Studies and Public Affairs.

Cristina uses her deep knowledge of the nonprofit community to assist Akron Community Foundation’s board of directors in awarding and evaluating grants. In addition to managing the foundation’s competitive grant cycles, she also cultivates relationships with local nonprofit leaders and encourages collaboration on community initiatives. Her expertise about the needs and resources of Greater Akron help the foundation connect local philanthropists to meaningful funding opportunities in their areas of interest.

Cristina is passionate about her Mexican heritage, which is why, she and her wife, started a small business in 2015 to sell hot sauce using her daddy’s secret recipe. Making Not Yo’ Daddy’s Mexican Hot Sauce® to share with Akron is Cristina’s way of saying, “I love you, Akron. Welcome to my family.”

Cristina positively influences her community by investing her time in nonprofits and leadership organizations. She currently serves on boards and committees for the Akron Civic Theatre, WKSU, Shanti Farms, ArtsNow, Dream STEM, and the Greater Akron LGBTQ+ Community Needs Assessment. She lives in Akron’s North Hill neighborhood with her wife, Richelle, their daughter, Isadora, and their dogs, Bogey and Tuk Tuk.