A child of Mexican immigrants who grew up in Texas, Arturo Elizondo arrived in the Yard unsure how he’d fit in. At Harvard, he lost a friend to suicide. These experiences forged two long-term goals: to always speak forthrightly about mental health challenges—including his own—and to help create a Harvard community where everyone can thrive.

As an undergrad, Elizondo worked with a local homeless shelter; tutored HU employees for their citizenship tests; and helped form the first university-wide Latino group. After internships at the White House and Supreme Court, he decided to become a food-tech innovator.

Elizondo founded The EVERY Company, which uses DNA sequencing and precision fermentation to create animal-free proteins for a wide variety of food products. A rare Latino CEO in Silicon Valley, he has raised over $230 million “to democratize access to sustainable, animal-free proteins with the aim of healing our planet, improving human health, and alleviating animal suffering.” Named Person of the Year by the National Hispanic Institute, Elizondo was also on Newsweek’s “America’s 50 Greatest Disruptors” list and Forbes’ “30 Under 30.” A young, gay, Latino founder, he supports early-stage diverse founders on their quest to change the world. 

As an overseer, Elizondo would be an “unapologetic” advocate for Ethnic Studies. He also proposes implicit-bias training for everyone involved in faculty hiring, and infrastructure to support faculty and students—especially “first-generation, BIPOC, trans students and faculty.” Just nine years out of Harvard College, Elizondo will add a much-needed voice to the Overseers.