Jacob Vigil
Board of Directors
Jacob is a passionate advocate, educator, and mentor dedicated to expanding opportunities for underserved youth. Born and raised in the South Bay area of Los Angeles, he now lives with his family in West Covina, California. His journey with Chill began through a referral from his foster care agency, a connection that sparked a love for snowboarding and helped shape his sense of identity. After two seasons in Chill’s L.A. snow program and a transformative summer at Camp of Champions in Whistler, BC, Jacob left with more than just new skills, he discovered the power of community, conservation, and social equity that continues to guide his work today. Jacob earned a BS in Business Management from Cal State L.A., where he later returned as a staff member supporting STEM programs for underrepresented students. What began as a job quickly became a calling in helping students from underserved backgrounds reach their potential through higher education. He now proudly serves at another alma mater of his, Rio Hondo College, where he supports students in navigating their academic journeys to build pathways toward graduation and meaningful careers. In addition to his work in education, Jacob is a strong advocate for current and former foster youth. He shares his lived experience with lawmakers, peers, and community leaders to influence systems, expand opportunity, and safeguard critical support services. His career bridges education, youth development, and social impact, where he thrives at the intersection of mentorship, equity, and institutional transformation. Jacob believes in the power of storytelling, relationship-building, and systems thinking to drive lasting change. In his free time, he enjoys photography, graphic design, hiking, and coaching his son’s baseball teams. His favorite board sport is snowboarding, and he cherishes hitting the slopes with his wife and two boys. His first CD was Blink-182’s untitled album released in 2003.
