Eric Lopez

Quiet leadership gives teams rhythm & stability. It lives in those who listen, build trust, & hold the work steady through change. Their presence keeps purpose clear, nurtures connection; & their grounded brand of guidance helps missions move forward with patience, care, & conviction every day.

Quiet leadership gives teams rhythm & stability.

It lives in those who listen, build trust, & hold the work steady through change. Their presence keeps purpose clear, nurtures connection; & their grounded brand of guidance helps missions move forward with patience, care, & conviction every day.

As Hispanic Heritage Month ends—and Libra season reminds me to find balance—I’m honored to be featured in Top 100 Innovators & Entrepreneurs Magazine alongside my partner, Jennifer. From the Bronx to Spain, it’s a reminder that purpose, not titles, defines leadership.

As Hispanic Heritage Month ends—and Libra season reminds me to find balance—I’m honored to be featured in Top 100 Innovators & Entrepreneurs Magazine alongside my partner, Jennifer. From the Bronx to Spain, it’s a reminder that purpose, not titles, defines leadership.

Honored to receive this recognition from the Fulbright Association. Grateful to our board, chapters & leaders for their support and to Chair Dr. Walter McCollum for his leadership. Here’s to continuing the work of building understanding across borders.

Honored to receive this recognition from the Fulbright Association.

Grateful to our board, chapters & leaders for their support and to Chair Dr. Walter McCollum for his leadership.
Here’s to continuing the work of building understanding across borders.

🌎 The 48th Annual Fulbright Conference kicks off Oct 24–26 in Miami under the theme “United We Stand.” A moment to reaffirm why global exchange still matters—and how Fulbright continues to build bridges 80 years on. 🔗 fulbright.org

🌎 The 48th Annual Fulbright Conference kicks off Oct 24–26 in Miami under the theme “United We Stand.”

A moment to reaffirm why global exchange still matters—and how Fulbright continues to build bridges 80 years on.
🔗 fulbright.org

Cultural Diplomacy 2.0: Citizen Diplomacy A new form of citizen diplomacy is reshaping transatlantic relations.  As national governments adapt their international diplomatic efforts to meet the new challenges of the Age of Trump, the future of transatlantic relations increasingl A new form of citizen diplomacy is reshaping transatlantic relations.  As national governments adapt their international diplomatic efforts to meet the new challe

Cultural diplomacy lives beyond policy. It’s built through people. I see it in educators, artists, and community leaders who build trust across borders. Their work reminds us that empathy and shared stories are the real architecture of diplomacy.

Some of the most influential leaders I’ve met never had a title. They’re the mentors, organizers, and elders whose quiet work sustains communities. Listening to them isn’t outreach. It’s infrastructure. Their wisdom is strategy worth honoring.

Some of the most influential leaders I’ve met never had a title. They’re the mentors, organizers, and elders whose quiet work sustains communities. Listening to them isn’t outreach. It’s infrastructure. Their wisdom is strategy worth honoring.

I’ve learned that trust is infrastructure. It carries coalitions through transitions, gives advocacy resilience when resources shift, and makes partnerships stronger than paperwork. Real capacity begins with the trust we choose to build and sustain over time.

I’ve learned that trust is infrastructure. It carries coalitions through transitions, gives advocacy resilience when resources shift, and makes partnerships stronger than paperwork. Real capacity begins with the trust we choose to build and sustain over time.

Tracking Federal Actions Impacting the Nonprofit Sector Latest Updates (As of September 23, 2025, 11:00 AM ET) This article tracks ongoing developments of the federal actions impacting the nonprofit sector. We will

Behind every policy adjustment is a ripple effect on nonprofits & the people they serve. Leaders who track these shifts before they arrive build resilience into our public service infrastructure & give organizations room to adapt with care. Small policy changes have big consequences for nonprofits.

La beca Fulbright de EEUU enfrenta posibles recortes: “Si se cae, China llenará el vacío con su soft power”, dice el vocero del programa La Florida International University será sede de la 48ª Conferencia Anual de la Fulbright Association. En un contexto de posibles recortes al programa, diplomáticos, académicos y exalumnos se reunirán en Miami para reforzar la importancia del programa. En diálogo con El Observador USA, un directiva de Fulbright advirtió que el cierre beneficiará a China.

Fulbright has built bridges across 160+ countries for 80 years.
If the U.S. steps back, others will step in.

I recently spoke with El Observador USA about why international exchange still matters.
Full interview (Spanish) ⬇

Always inspiring to meet the next generation of Hofstra students in D.C.! Curious, thoughtful, and ready to lead. And a bonus: reconnected with my old program friend Jeff Stirling at the Olana State Historic Site. Full circle in the best way.

Always inspiring to meet the next generation of Hofstra students in D.C.! Curious, thoughtful, and ready to lead. And a bonus: reconnected with my old program friend Jeff Stirling at the Olana State Historic Site. Full circle in the best way.

Always inspiring to meet the next generation of Hofstra students in D.C.! Curious, thoughtful, and ready to lead. And a bonus: reconnected with my old program friend Jeff Stirling at the Olana State Historic Site. Full circle in the best way.

Always inspiring to meet the next generation of Hofstra students in D.C.! Curious, thoughtful, and ready to lead.
And a bonus: reconnected with my old program friend Jeff Stirling at the Olana State Historic Site. Full circle in the best way.

I keep coming back to this: trust is infrastructure.

I’ve watched it carry coalitions through change and give programs resilience when systems alone weren’t enough. The capacity that lasts is built on relationships we choose to care for, year after year.

Salsa carries memory & identity for me: family gatherings, long nights filled with rhythm, & a sense of belonging. So I’m excited for the Smithsonian’s upcoming ¡Puro Ritmo!, honoring communities whose music shaped our world. Catch the preview pop-up Sept 15–Oct 3: https://latino.si.edu/exhibitions

Salsa carries memory & identity for me: family gatherings, long nights filled with rhythm, & a sense of belonging. So I’m excited for the Smithsonian’s upcoming ¡Puro Ritmo!, honoring communities whose music shaped our world.

Catch the preview pop-up Sept 15–Oct 3: https://latino.si.edu/exhibitions

One of my favorite traditions: WKCR’s 24-hour Coltrane birthday broadcast. His music is a reminder that culture connects us across borders—discipline, spirit, and improvisation all in one. Worth a listen: https://www.cc-seas.columbia.edu/wkcr/story/john-coltrane-birthday-broadcast-6

One of my favorite traditions: WKCR’s 24-hour Coltrane birthday broadcast. His music is a reminder that culture connects us across borders—discipline, spirit, and improvisation all in one. Worth a listen: https://www.cc-seas.columbia.edu/wkcr/story/john-coltrane-birthday-broadcast-6

Policy work isn’t always visible, but it’s always personal.

I show up for Fulbright because I believe in what it makes possible. Not just programs, but people. That’s what advocacy means to me: persistence, connection, and public service that lasts.

Immersive experiences like thus remind me what's possible when story meets presence. Roomscale VR offers a unique kind of access, opening windows into unfamiliar worlds, building empathy where words alone fall short.

#ImmersiveStorytelling #VR #CulturalUnderstanding

Clear, compassionate leadership from UK Quakers on trans-inclusive policy that's grounded in values, not fear. We need more of this. Every org that leads with values should take notes.

#TransRights #InclusiveLeadership

Democracy lives in the everyday work of people who teach, organize, advocate, and build community. Today’s about honoring that effort... and the many hands it takes to shape a system rooted in dignity, equity, and shared power. #InternationalDayOfDemocracy #CivicPower

Democracy lives in the everyday work of people who teach, organize, advocate, and build community.

Today’s about honoring that effort... and the many hands it takes to shape a system rooted in dignity, equity, and shared power.

#InternationalDayOfDemocracy #CivicPower

Illinois becomes 1st state to require student mental health screenings Students in Illinois will soon have to get mental health screenings alongside annual vision and hearing exams.

Illinois just became the first state to mandate mental health screenings in schools. It’s a big step, but policy alone isn’t enough. Support systems must reflect care, consistency, and dignity if we’re serious about student well-being. Very interested in seeing how this progresses.

#MentalHealth

When systems fail, strong relationships don’t. You don’t build trust in the moment. You lean on what you’ve built over time. That’s the real resilience. The work of leadership is in those everyday investments in people, long before the crisis hits. #Leadership #Trust #Community

When systems fail, strong relationships don’t. You don’t build trust in the moment. You lean on what you’ve built over time. That’s the real resilience. The work of leadership is in those everyday investments in people, long before the crisis hits.

#Leadership #Trust #Community

I joined the Uncaged Show to talk about lessons that shaped my #Leadership across orgs & consulting work. Thanks for the great conversation! 🎧Listen here: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/uncaged-show/episodes/Empowering-Leader--Strategist-for-Inclusive-Excellence-With-Eric-Lopez-e36inig

I joined the Uncaged Show to talk about lessons that shaped my #Leadership across orgs & consulting work. Thanks for the great conversation!

🎧Listen here: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/uncaged-show/episodes/Empowering-Leader--Strategist-for-Inclusive-Excellence-With-Eric-Lopez-e36inig

Question: When you're facing crisis, what's the one resource you'll always need?

Answer: Community

When you’re out of time or out of options, it’s the relationships you’ve built that matter most. In crisis, we lean on #Community for support & solutions. That’s the real rainy day fund.

How Nonprofit Leaders Can Create Cultures of Trust and Belonging - Brooklyn Org

Leadership thrives in community. These salons bring nonprofit leaders together—to reflect, collaborate, and lead with intention. A simple, powerful model for sustained equity work.

#LeadershipDevelopment #NonprofitStrategy

Why Mental Health Awareness Month Is A Priority For Inclusive Leaders May is Mental Health Awareness Month (est. 1949). This article details mental health's workplace impact and strategies for inclusive leaders' support and resilience.

Mental health is shaped by the systems and communities around us. Inclusion means creating environments where people feel safe, supported, and able to thrive, making care a shared responsibility.

#MentalHealth #InclusiveLeadership #EquityInAction

When the Fulbright Program faced budget threats, our community mobilized. I met with leaders on both sides of the aisle to show how it brings global expertise—from medical science to AI—into U.S. communities, creating value no budget line can define.

#CulturalDiplomacy #GlobalLeadership

The best advice starts with better questions. Before offering solutions, ask 3 thoughtful questions first. It transforms quick fixes into meaningful dialogue.

Whether mentoring or seeking guidance, this simple rule elevates every conversation.

What 3 questions will you ask today?

#Leadership

Inclusion without mental health support leaves too many behind. Equity work must include space for vulnerability, culturally responsive care, and systems that reduce harm. Without mental health, equity efforts fall short.

#DEI #MentalHealth #InclusiveLeadership

A New Lens: Trauma-informed leadership as ESG strategy | theHRD When HR leaders face rising burnout and failing wellbeing programs, the real issue may lie deeper than KPIs. A trauma-informed lens reveals root causes—and offers a clear roadmap toward sustainable recovery, resilience, and ESG-aligned leadership. Discover how addressing hidden trauma can strengthen culture, rebuild trust, and unlock the “S” in ESG.

Trauma-informed leadership brings empathy, safety, and trust into focus, creating cultures where people thrive. It’s support AND strategy. A human-centered ESG approach starts here.

#TraumaInformedLeadership #ESG #Wellbeing #InclusiveLeadership

The Surprising Reason Gen-Z Isn’t Chasing Leadership Roles—and How to Change That What’s stopping Gen-Z from leading? It’s not what you think.

#GenZ values purpose and impact over titles. To engage them as leaders, organizations must focus on empathy, trust, and meaningful collaboration—especially across generations. #Leadership today means driving positive change, not just holding authority. #InclusiveLeadership

While I'm currently in a DEI role, I keep leading... just without an org chart. Equity work doesn’t end with a title. It lives in how we show up, how we support others, and how we carry the mission forward.

The structure may shift. The purpose stays.

#DEI #Leadership #EquityInAction

Leadership Styles Aren’t Static—Here's Why That Myth Is Costing You Good Managers Your leadership style shouldn't be static. Here is how organizations can support adaptability at every level and help managers succeed.

Leadership styles adapt to context, team needs, and challenges. The myth of fixed leadership costs us great managers.

The best leaders are chameleons: directive in crises, collaborative in innovation, supportive during growth. They read the room and flex accordingly.

#Leadership #Growth