Luz E. Nuñez, MAHR, SHRM-SCP, is a distinguished Human Resources and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) strategist whose career spans more than 25 years across nonprofit, healthcare, education, and hospitality sectors. As the founder of Aurora Consulting Services, LLC, Luz has dedicated her professional journey to advancing inclusive workplace cultures and building equity-centered leadership pipelines. Through her firm, she offers executive coaching, strategic HR consulting, and DEI policy design—all grounded in cultural humility and a deep commitment to social justice.
Currently serving as an Employment Relations Specialist at UC San Diego, Luz brings her expertise in organizational development, employee engagement, and conflict resolution to support the university’s system-wide HR initiatives. Her role includes mediating complex employee relations matters, guiding leadership through best practices in equitable personnel management, and supporting a positive, respectful campus climate. Luz also serves as a certified facilitator with the National Conflict Resolution Center, a role that reflects her passion for building healthy, collaborative, and inclusive work environments.
Previously, Luz held several leadership roles, including Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, where she was instrumental in establishing the organization’s first Office of DEI. Her work laid the groundwork for systemic change, ensuring that inclusive policies and practices became integral to the organization’s operations. Over the years, she has also held influential HR positions at San Ysidro Health, Hard Rock Hotel San Diego, and the Chicano Federation of San Diego County, where she continuously elevated DEI frameworks and led transformative workforce initiatives.
Luz’s educational background reflects both academic excellence and a story of perseverance. She holds a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management and a Bachelor’s degree from National University. She also earned certifications in DEI Leadership from eCornell and maintains a prestigious Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) credential through the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). Her academic journey was far from traditional—she completed her studies while working full-time and raising her son as a single mother. This lived experience shaped her values of resilience, empathy, and a profound understanding of the barriers that young Latinas and working mothers often face in their pursuit of education and advancement.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Luz is deeply committed to community service and leadership development. She currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Board for Outdoor Outreach, a nonprofit that empowers youth through transformative outdoor experiences. She also gives back through mentorship, volunteering with UCSD’s Chicanx/Latinx Council, MANA de San Diego’s Hermanitas Program, and other community leadership initiatives aimed at uplifting the next generation of Latina changemakers.
In April 2025, Luz proudly graduated from the inaugural HOPE San Diego Regional Leadership Institute, a milestone that further cemented her status as a regional thought leader. That same year, she became a founding Co-Chair of the San Diego Regional Council for the National Association of Latino Healthcare Executives – SoCal Chapter, where she helped establish a collaborative network of Latinx professionals working toward health equity and representation in executive leadership.
A proud Chicana, Luz was born in El Paso, Texas, and raised in San Diego, where she continues to lead, serve, and uplift her community. Her personal story is one of strength and perseverance: she has been a single mother since age 17, raising a son with a disability while building her career and academic path. As an only child raised by a single mother herself, Luz credits her foundation of resilience and integrity to the powerful women who shaped her early life. Over the years, she has built a strong and supportive circle of friends and chosen family, reflecting her belief in the strength of multicultural, intergenerational, and LGBTQIA+ inclusive communities.
In all facets of her life, Luz centers her work around empowerment, cultural awareness, and inclusive leadership. Her journey is not only one of personal triumph but also one that reflects a deep commitment to creating opportunities for others. Whether in boardrooms, classrooms, or community spaces, Luz E. Nuñez leads with intention, compassion, and a relentless dedication to equity.
Her story serves as an inspiration to Latinas, working mothers, and leaders across all fields. Through her professional accomplishments, advocacy, and mentorship, Luz continues to pave the way for more inclusive and equitable workplaces—where everyone, regardless of background, can thrive and lead.