Selena Ellis-Vizcarra

Chief Operating Officer of the Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation (JCNI)

Selena Ellis-Vizcarra is a native San Diegan and Chief Operating Officer of the Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation (JCNI), where she leads revitalization efforts in Southeastern San Diego's Diamond Neighborhoods through community wealth-building, public-private partnerships, and equity-centered development. With over 30 years of experience spanning corporate strategy, federal grant management, and nonprofit leadership, she has spearheaded landmark projects including the sale of the Joe & Vi Jacobs Center to San Ysidro Health, bringing the region's first after-hours urgent care facility, and the completion of the Southwest Village Apartments, an 81-unit affordable housing complex. Earlier in her career, Selena served as Director of Corporate Development at Cellana, orchestrating a large-scale federal consortium with the U.S. Department of Energy, and held management and compliance roles at Verenium, managing complex joint ventures and large-scale biotechnology programs. A dedicated community mentor, she volunteers with First Gen Scholars to support college access for local youth and has been recognized as the 2025 Nonprofit Organization Businesswoman of the Year and Asian Leader of Influence by the San Diego Business Journal, and named a 2026 Cool Woman by Girl Scouts San Diego. She holds an MBA in Management and a B.A. in Economics and English from San Diego State University.