A non-profit leader with over 25 years of experience driving impactful initiatives in organizational management, program development, and community engagement, Soilo Felix has served as President and CEO of the Be A Leader Foundation (BALF) in Phoenix, AZ, since April 2022. In this role, he oversees strategic growth, operations, and innovative programming to expand access to postsecondary education for underrepresented communities.

Soilo joined Be A Leader in 2013 as Program Director, progressing to Chief Program Officer and Chief Operating Officer before assuming his current position. As a first-generation college graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Physics from Arizona State University, he is deeply committed to empowering first-generation students and advocating for equitable access to higher education.

His expertise spans youth development, STEM education, and designing high-impact programs that create equitable pathways for student success. Soilo has a proven track record of cultivating collaborative partnerships with educational institutions, corporations, and community organizations to ensure alignment with strategic goals. He is a skilled strategist with extensive experience in grant development, fiscal oversight, and leveraging technology to enhance operational efficiency. A fluent Spanish speaker, Soilo is deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, fostering sustainable growth and measurable outcomes. His leadership has transformed programs and strengthened organizational capacity, positioning him as a trusted advocate for educational access and community empowerment.

Before his tenure at Be A Leader, Soilo served as Director of Community Engagement Programs at the Arizona Science Center. He also dedicated 12 years to a local youth and teen development organization, where he designed comprehensive educational and technology strategies and built strategic partnerships in areas like distance learning and telepresence technologies. His contributions extended to national initiatives, including the Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Latino Leadership Project, earning him recognition as a member of the Academy of Boys & Girls Clubs Professionals. In 2024, Soilo was honored to be selected as a Thrive Leaders Network Fellow, a prestigious program supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Kresge Foundation.

An active community leader, Soilo is a proud member of Omega Delta Phi Fraternity, Inc., where he has served on the National Board of Directors since 2003 and as Chairman from 2005 to 2024. His commitment to leadership development is reflected in his participation in programs such as Valle Del Sol’s Hispanic Leadership Institute, Valley Leadership Advance, and the Valley Leadership Institute.

Soilo lives in midtown Phoenix with his wife, Amy, and their daughter, Zoë, where he continues to inspire and advocate for students pursuing their educational dreams.