Jackie Cruz

Jackie Cruz, Ed.D. is Vice President of Advancement at Hartnell College and Executive Director of the Hartnell College Foundation. Jackie is the architect of the Foundation’s Advancement and Foundation Team, which includes resource development, alumni relations, government relations, industry, education, and municipality partnerships. Jackie’s passion stems from her life experiences and commitment to supporting youth and women's economic prosperity.

She has worked at Hartnell for almost 16 years, with previous work at United Way of Monterey County for a decade. During her tenure at Hartnell, she has led two comprehensive campaigns, five capital campaigns, and a bond campaign. She has worked with the foundation’s board and college leadership to build vibrant relationships with local industry and create new partnerships with key foundations, bringing resources to close equity gaps in the Salinas Valley community, increase higher education attainment, and support workforce initiatives through current and new programs and facilities for students.

Jackie holds an associate's degree from Hartnell College, a bachelor's degree and an MBA from Chapman University, and a doctorate from the University of Southern California. She is also a great advocate for children and youth. Jackie serves as the Board Chair of The Digital NEST and serves on the Rancho Cielo Board and the executive board of the Network for California Community College Foundations.

She is a mom to three young girls (3, 5, & 8) and one son (29). She loves to play soccer and has transferred that passion for the sport to her children.

In addition to her already busy life, Jackie is an entrepreneur. In 2020, she founded Love Magnet Cosmetics and Kass & Ky Co., a beauty company named after two of her daughters, and People of Philanthropy, Inc., a consulting company supporting small to medium-sized non-profits.

Gayle Pitman from Hartnell College is also a 2025-2026 Rising Presidents Fellow