Lucy Mendez | Chief Program Officer
Lucy Mendez is a philanthropic leader, first-generation college graduate, and the Chief Program Officer at the Hector and Gloria López Foundation (HGLF). Driven by her family's origins in Mexico and Texas, Lucy is dedicated to expanding educational opportunities for students with backgrounds like her own.
After earning her bachelor's degree from Texas Tech University, Lucy completed her master’s degree at American University in Washington, DC where she spent a decade. There, she advanced education access and opportunity within organizations such as Education Forward DC, the U.S. Department of Education, Achieving the Dream, and the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics.
Lucy returned home to Texas in 2020 to serve as the Director of Strategy and Impact at the Amarillo Area Foundation.
In 2022, Lucy joined the Hector and Gloria López Foundation (HGLF) where she developed López Scholars from the vision held by Hector, Gloria, and its Founder to the successful model it is today. Under her leadership, López Scholars has grown to support 274 López Scholars across 13 Texas universities and more than $47 million in grants and Scholarships.
As Chief Program Officer, Lucy oversees the Foundation’s grantmaking, communications, events, and López Scholars. She is focused on expanding the Foundation’s philanthropic work and ensuring Texas’ students have the resources and opportunity to succeed.