Ricardo Lopez Valencia

President, Board of Directors, Xico, Inc.; Founder & Partner, Luna Valencia Strategy GroupC

Ricardo Lopez Valencia is a distinguished executive and civic leader whose career reflects a steadfast commitment to equitable access, inclusive decision-making, and sustainable community and organizational growth. With more than 30 years of experience spanning corporate, nonprofit, and public sectors, Valencia is recognized for advancing business success alongside social responsibility and cultural inclusion.

Leadership at Xico and Philanthropic Impact

As President of the Board of Directors for Xico, Inc., For seven years, Valencia has chaired one of Arizona’s most prominent Latino and Indigenous arts organizations. Celebrating its 50th year anniversary, Xico has grown its revenue, strengthened its institutional infrastructure, and executed a major relocation to a new headquarters in The Arizona Center in downtown Phoenix. Valencia has guided the organization through a period of significant growth — and alongside a stellar board of directors, oversees strategic, business, communications, and fund development planning — while deepening its mission to sustain and celebrate Latino and Indigenous creativity.

Valencia’s leadership extends beyond Xico to a broad portfolio of philanthropic and community initiatives. He served as a founding member of the Governing Board of Expect More Arizona, advancing high-quality education for all students, and played a role in the organization’s merger that created Education Forward Arizona. He has also served on the boards of the Children’s Action Alliance, WestEd, and Ambassadors Group [NASDAQ: EPAX], and was appointed by both Democratic and Republican Arizona governors to statewide leadership positions, including the Arizona Mexico Commission and the Border Governors Conference.

A champion of civic collaboration and cultural investment, Valencia has been recognized for his ability to bring together leaders across sectors to address systemic challenges in education, workforce development, and the arts. His board service has included roles with the National PTA, National 4-H, FFA Foundation, New York Hispanic Ballet, and DECA, among others. He is also a former appointee to the White House Millennium Youth Initiative and the U.S. Department of Education’s Partnership for Family Involvement.

Professional Experience

Valencia is Partner of Luna Valencia, a Phoenix-based consultancy that advises organizations on multicultural, multigenerational strategies in marketing, communications, and organizational development. The firm partners with clients in the education, health, legal, and nonprofit sectors to align mission, market, and measurable outcomes.

Previously, Valencia served as Chief Global Impact Officer for CEA CAPA, a leading global education provider.  Earlier in his career, he was Senior Vice President at ING, overseeing diversity market growth across African American, Asian American, Hispanic, women, and LGBTQ communities, and served as Director of Education for USA TODAY, expanding the company’s national network of education programs.

Personal and Civic Engagement

A resident of Gilbert, Arizona, Valencia and his wife Lisa, a senior retail executive, are deeply engaged in their local community. Together with their three children — Zacarias, Sofia, and Maximo — they are members of The Gathering Church, where Valencia serves as Volunteer Administrator. His faith, family, and enduring belief in access, opportunity, and impact continue to guide his work as a leader, mentor, and advocate for community and cultural advancement.