A native Phoenician, Rosemary Ybarra-Hernandez is the CEO and Founder of AGUILA Youth Leadership Institute, a college prep/access program for Latina/o youth that has received national recognition for its innovation and success. AGUILA is her vision and witnessing the transformation of the Latino/a youth she serves is a life-long dream realized.

A champion for education, Ms. Ybarra-Hernandez describes herself as a “Life-Long learner” holding an Associates Degree in Marketing, certification as a Paralegal, a Bachelors in Political Science/Pre-Law with a Certificate of Concentration in Women’s Studies, a Masters in Public Administration, Post Graduate work in Juvenile Justice Policy and plans to complete her PhD in Educational Leadership. Inspired by Hector Elizondo in Tortilla Soup, she still has not ruled out a degree in culinary arts.

Throughout her life Ms. Ybarra-Hernandez has been recognized for her personal, as well as her academic accomplishments. As a champion for those in need, Ms. Ybarra-Hernandez has been recognized for her achievements in the design and delivery of award winning programs in government, education and non-profit organizations, particularly those which serve youth. She has received local, national and international recognition for her work.

As a graduate of ASU School of Public Affairs she gained academic recognition as a Board of Regents Scholar and became the first and only Arizona recipient of the United States Social Security Frank Figueroa Scholarship for Community Leadership.

Receiving her Masters degree was a historical event in her life as she participated in ceremonies with fellow graduate Cesar E. Chavez upon receiving his honorary doctorate. Only a few days later she was accepted into the Doctoral Program at Arizona State University and was one of 40 ASU graduate students to be awarded the Patricia Roberts Harris Federal Fellowship. Many years later she was recognized for her work with youth receiving the Dr. Cesar E. Chavez Award for Community Service in 2004, one of her most prized awards.

Ms. Ybarra-Hernandez was recognized as Woman of the Year by Gamma Alpha Omega Sorority at ASU followed by a third Cesar E. Chavez Award for her work with youth by the Glendale Chamber of Commerce.

Most recently, Ms. Ybarra-Hernandez has been selected as one of 22 Latinas from across the country by National Hispana Leadership Institute(NHLI) to participate in its prestigious Executive Leadership Program. She was selected for her outstanding community service record, professional and personal accomplishments, passion to make a difference in her community and commitment to pay if forward.

A strong commitment to Cesar Chavez’s belief that "The end of education should surely be service to others," Ms. Ybarra-Hernandez has and continues to serve on various boards and committees that include the City of Phoenix Library Board, Hispanic Education Coalition, American Heart Association, Anytown, Parents Anonymous, West Valley Art Museum, Arizona Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Maricopa Association of Governments, Greater Phoenix Child Abuse Prevention Council, Latino Institute and others while volunteering her time with various organizations that seek to make positive changes in our world.