Introducing the
2026/27 Shade Zones Jury
Meet the experts choosing the designs that will keep LA cool.
Dr. Wilma Franco
Executive Director, SELA Collaborative
Dr. Wilma Franco is Executive Director of the Southeast Los Angeles Collaborative, bringing more than 15 years of experience leading nonprofits, community-based programs, and collective-impact networks. Previously, she spent seven years developing and managing programs at the “I Have a Dream” Foundation–Los Angeles, where she partnered with USC to launch a mental-health initiative that continues to serve students. She has also taught human development at Cal State Long Beach. Dr. Franco holds a doctorate in organizational leadership from the University of La Verne, a master’s in public policy from USC, and bachelor’s degrees in political science and Chicana/o studies from UCLA.
