Los Angeles has one of the largest immigrant populations in the country and estimates that 800,000 individuals are eligible for citizenship, but may not be pursuing that status because of inherent barriers in the systems. The Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) recently launched a variety of programs to help immigrants begin the process of becoming citizens at all of its 73 branch locations. LAPL hired FUSE Executive Fellow Alex Castillo to coordinate efforts across branches as well as with the appropriate federal, state, and local immigration and citizenship agencies. This project helped ensure that more potential citizens are aware of their opportunities and that LAPL serves as a trusted resource for those pursuing the process.
ALEX CASTILLO (2015–17) is a founding member of Star Insights, a strategic advisory firm, where he serves as an executive advisor and thought partner to senior leaders of organizations in the social impact sphere. Castillo brings his general management and brand marketing expertise with three decades of experience in global consumer products, entertainment, and local government. Castillo began his career in the consumer products industry, working for Procter & Gamble, PepsiCo, and Kraft Foods. Castillo held increasing responsibility for leading global brands, including Pantene, Gatorade, Gillette, and Kraft Cheese, with assignments in the United States and Latin America. In 2002, Castillo pivoted professionally and moved to Los Angeles to pursue his passion for the performing arts. Castillo has appeared in dozens of films and television shows, most notably costarring opposite Academy Award nominee Alfre Woodard in "Clemency,” the Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury Prize-winning death row drama distributed worldwide in 2020. He is currently recurring on the Amazon Studios’ series “Bosch: Legacy” now streaming worldwide on Prime Video. As a FUSE Executive Fellow, Castillo served as senior advisor to the City Librarian & CEO of the Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL), where he led the development and implementation of the New Americans Initiative, the library’s comprehensive immigrant integration program. He also facilitated the development and operationalization of LAPL’s first marketing plan. Castillo also served as a FUSE Alum-in-Residence from Fall 2018 through Fall 2020. Castillo received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania/Wharton School and an MBA from the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. Born in Guatemala and raised in Chicago, Castillo loves to mentor young leaders, watch fútbol, travel the world with his husband, and go on 500-mile walks.
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