Kristina Lugo, CEO of Avenidas (center), alongside colleagues, Kelly Ilnicki (Right), Social Work Manager and Nancy Keegan (left), Program Director, embodying the spirit of teamwork.
Strong Leadership. A Strong Mission. Everyone—at Every Age—Thriving.
Palo Alto’s median age is 42.5, and nearly one in five residents is over 65. For more than five decades, Avenidas has been a trusted partner helping older adults stay active, connected, and independent. Across three locations, its programs range from adult day health care at the Rose Kleiner Center, caregiver support and navigation services, and culturally rich offerings at the Chinese Community Center and Rainbow Collective, to transportation, volunteer engagement, fitness, arts, lifelong learning, and the innovative Avenidas Village membership program. These services prevent isolation, preserve independence, and create a sense of belonging.
At the helm is Kristina Lugo, LCSW, a compassionate nonprofit executive with more than two decades of experience leading organizations that serve older adults and strengthen communities. With a Master’s degree in Social Work and a long-standing clinical license, Kristina blends deep empathy with strategic vision. She leads a 58-person staff across Avenidas’ three locations, fostering cohesion, equity, and innovation in every program. Since joining Avenidas, she has championed the expansion of the Chinese Community Center and the Rose Kleiner Center, strengthened organizational culture, and advanced strategic planning to adapt to a rapidly changing world.
Kristina is not only the leader of Avenidas, she is also a connector and collaborator among nonprofit executives across the region. A proud alum of Leadership Palo Alto, she brings her expertise, perspective, and partnership to peers, including those at PACF, to strengthen the nonprofit sector as a whole. She also gives back through board service with the Boys and Girls Club of the Coastside and active participation in Rotary and Kiwanis. Passionate about family caregiving, reframing aging, and nonprofit leadership and innovation, Kristina works to shift perceptions and create systems that honor and support older adults and those who care for them.
PACF invests in Avenidas because its mission directly strengthens local well-being and reflects our belief that prevention is smart philanthropy. Under Kristina’s leadership, Avenidas delivers high-quality, culturally responsive services with compassion and measurable impact. When she is not leading change, Kristina enjoys traveling with her husband and two children, cheering her kids on at sporting events, and spending time with their beloved dog Mitzi. Her work and her life reflect a commitment to dignity, purpose, and connection, values PACF is proud to champion. We are fortunate to have such inspiring leaders in our local community. Thank you, Kristina, for all you do.