Cara Esposito

Professional black and white headshot of a woman with long hair and glasses.

Cara Esposito

CEO

Cara Esposito is the Executive Director of the Leonetti/O’Connell Family Foundation and founder of Areté Rising, where she advances programs that expand opportunity for young adults through innovative technology and community partnerships. A former Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney, she brings legal, academic, and philanthropic expertise to complex systems change. Cara earned degrees from Harvard, Loyola Law School, and USC, holding an MBA, MPA, and doctorate in policy analysis. She teaches nonprofit governance at USC Price and serves on its Board of Councilors, as well as on the board of Loyola High School.