Genoveva Islas was born in Fresno, California and grew up in small rural communities of the San Joaquin Valley; her parents were farm laborers.  She is the first in her family to attend college and graduate with an advanced degree.  She earned a Bachelors of Science in Health Science with an emphasis in Community Health from California State University, Fresno and received a Masters in Public Health degree in Health Education and Promotion from Loma Linda University. 

Genoveva’s experience in public health spans over 20 years in both public and private sectors.  Currently, Genoveva serves as the Project Coordinator for Public Health Institutes’ statewide effort to connect all CDC funded grantees in California.  The project seeks to increase networking and collaboration across sites to support the successful implementation of efforts short term and the sustaining of the work in California longer term. 

Genoveva is also the Program Director of the Central California Regional Obesity Prevention Program (CCROPP).  CCROPP is dedicated to creating healthier communities in the San Joaquin Valley by creating greater access to healthy foods/beverages and increasing opportunities for physical activity.  CCROPP efforts also focus on building community leadership so that residents can be more effective in advocating for change and becoming more civically engaged.  

Genoveva is the Board Chair for the Latino Coalition for a Healthy California, a board member of the California Food Policy Advocates, a board member for the California Institute for Rural Studies, a board member for Community Water Center a steering committee member for California Convergence and an advisory board member for various other organizations.