Luisa Apolaya Torres, born in Lima, Peru, is an interdisciplinary community advocate, artist, and engineer. Raised in East Los Angeles, she finds great joy in creating educational opportunities with and for the immigrant communities in the city through her work at Heart of Los Angeles.

She holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in Theater Arts from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Her technical work at corporations and academia increased accessibility in the design process of hardware and digital products through bilingual research practices. In recent years, educational interests have led to opportunities at academic summer camps, substitute teaching at transitional schools, and admissions counseling. Before HOLA, she served as Assistant Director of Sprouting Shelters, a nonprofit startup in Austin, TX geared towards increasing access to affordable housing.

Luisa loves to travel, especially by public transportation, and sings whenever she has a free moment.