Yvette Lopez held several positions in international affairs, such as Director of International Projects at Daytona Sate College and Liaison Officer for the Department of Defense at United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM). Prior to her tenure at SOUTHCOM, she was Advisor to the Government of the Dominican Republic for 10 years, where she leveraged alliances to develop and implement strategic initiatives, primarily in the areas of education, to further economic development and act as a force multiplier for United States/Dominican collaboration. This resulted in joint degree programs, joint credit courses, service-learning opportunities, and the development of the Community College system, and pilot campus in Eastern Santo Domingo. The award winning 13-building campus is a state-of-the-art facility, is on its 6th graduating class and has been visited by educational leaders, including First Lady Jill Biden.

 

Ms. Lopez is a member of the Florida Bar and a Mediator certified by the Supreme Court of Florida. She has a bachelor’s degree in Criminology from the University of South Florida, a Juris Doctorate from Stetson College of Law, and graduated from an International Master’s program, spearheaded by Universidad de Alcalá (Spain) in Strategic Planning, Quality Control and Management, with a concentration in Higher Education Administration. She also earned a Master’s Certificate in Lean Six Sigma Black Belt from Villanova University.

 

In January 2021, she founded Latinos In Grapevine growing fast with over 200 members representing 13 different countries, with three primary goals: to embrace diversity through education and collaboration; build a bridge of dialogue between city leaders and Latinos (over 30% of the population); and most importantly, to provide information and training to empower Latinos in Grapevine, TX to be confident decision-makers.

 

In July 2022, after 8 years with the Federal Government, she incorporated Development Culture, LLC, a consultant firm specializing in cross-cultural Project Design and Implementation, Change Management, and Organizational Development. Latinos in Grapevine is an initiative of her non-profit DevCulture, Inc. 

 

In all roles held, Ms. Lopez built bridges, improved processes, eliminated wasteful practices, and served as a catalyst for personal and professional development.