The Youth Center

MANAGEMENT

CEO/Executive Director

Lina Lumme

CEO/Executive Director Experience

Lina Lumme immigrated to the United States in 2003 and transformed her own journey of resilience into a lifelong commitment to serving children, families, and communities. Since becoming Executive Director/CEO of The Youth Center in 2010, Lina has led the organization through significant growth, expanding programs, strengthening partnerships, increasing community impact, and guiding the organization into a new era of sustainability. Under Lina’s leadership, The Youth Center has grown to serve more than 3,500 children annually across Orange and Los Angeles Counties through innovative programs focused on education, leadership, STEM, music, college readiness, entrepreneurship, public speaking, and youth development. She successfully guided the organization through the acquisition and opening of its first permanent facility in 2023, creating a dedicated learning environment featuring a STEAM Lab, Tutoring Center, Culinary Kids Lab, Music Academy Hub, and expanded program spaces. Lina is recognized for building strong teams and cultivating a culture of mentorship, collaboration, and professional growth. The Youth Center was recognized as a Top Workspace by Homebase, reflecting her commitment to employee development, volunteer engagement, and organizational excellence. She holds certifications in Volunteer Management, Executive Leadership, and Nonprofit Management and continues to advocate for best practices in nonprofit leadership. A passionate community leader, Lina has served on the Boards of Precious Life Shelter, Los Alamitos Education Foundation, P4S Family Resource Center, and Rotary of Los Alamitos/Seal Beach. She continues to build partnerships with schools, businesses, foundations, civic organizations, and community leaders to create greater opportunities for youth. Throughout her career, Lina’s leadership and dedication have been recognized through numerous honors, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from NPDOC, recognition from the Los Alamitos Unified School District for her work with the Every 15 Minutes program, acknowledgments from the California State Legislature and U.S. Congress, the LAUSD PTA Council Honorary Service Award, and being named Woman of the Year by the California State Assembly in 2022. In 2024 and 2026, The Youth Center continued receiving recognition as a trusted and impactful nonprofit, while Lina was honored for her leadership, innovation, and dedication to improving the lives of children and families. She also led the organization in developing its 2026–2029 Strategic Plan, expanding the Board of Directors, launching new college and career readiness programs, and creating a roadmap to serve even more youth in the future. Lina’s leadership philosophy is rooted in one belief: every child deserves the opportunity to discover their potential. Through compassion, perseverance, and visionary nonprofit leadership, she continues to create pathways for young people to build confidence, achieve success, and become the leaders of tomorrow.

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