Gabriela Rios

Executive Director, Modesto Regional Office

Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE)

We’re not only changing the life for [one] student or [one] school, we’re changing the trajectory of our country.

About Gabriela

I was born in Mexico and came to the U.S. when I was 10 years old.
After high school, I went to a community college, where I found mentors who helped me navigate the education system.
I transferred to California State University, Stanislaus, where I earned my bachelor’s degree in Spanish with a minor in history.
After graduating, I worked as a high school teacher but I quickly realized that working in a classroom wasn’t a great fit for me.
I connected with a former executive director for the Parent Institute for Quality Education and she gave me the opportunity to become an associate director for the organization.
I took over for the former executive director when she retired—I now lead the organization’s efforts for all of the California Central Valley.