About me
Gladys Vega is a nationally recognized leader in immigrant rights, economic justice, and community-led transformation. For over 30 years, she has fought to dismantle systemic barriers and create sustainable pathways for historically excluded communities, growing La Colaborativa from a grassroots initiative into one of the Northeast’s most impactful advocacy and direct service organizations. A visionary strategist, she pioneered holistic programming that integrates housing stabilization, workforce development, food security, environmental justice, and immigrant rights advocacy, ensuring both immediate relief and long-term economic mobility. She has mobilized large-scale emergency responses, including one of Massachusetts’ most extensive food security initiatives and the operation of one of the state’s largest emergency shelters for newly arrived migrants. A relentless advocate, Gladys has led major environmental justice efforts, blocked harmful industrial projects, and continues to shape policies on housing, labor rights, and climate justice while serving on key state and nonprofit boards.
