Ferla Named Director of MOVE Texas, Replaces Galloway
April 13, 2021 - San Antonio
MOVE, Texas Appoints New Director. The nonprofit dedicated to increased voter turnout and engagement has appointed a new director, Claudia Yoli Ferla. Courtesy Image.
By Ricardo Delgado, Staff Intern | San Antonio Sentinel
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
- Claudia Yoli Ferla takes the reins effective immediately, according to a press release from MOVE, Texas.
- Ferla is a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient from Venezuela who joins MOVE from her previous leadership role as co-executive director of Deeds Not Words.
MOVE Texas, the nonprofit dedicated to increasing voter turnout and engagement in underrepresented youth populations across the state of Texas, appointed a new executive director.
Claudia Yoli Ferla takes the reins effective immediately, according to a press release from the organization. Ferla succeeds former director H. Drew Galloway, who led the organization’s expansion of its origins as a small, San Antonio-based organization to the state-wide voter registration and awareness force it is today.
“I look forward to leading one of the most impactful teams in Texas and working alongside them to place the voices, power, and lived experiences of young people in the forefront of our movement,” Yoli Ferla said.
Ferla is a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient from Venezuela who joins MOVE from her previous leadership role as co-executive director of Deeds Not Words, an organization founded by former Texas Senator Wendy Davis seeking to empower women in their policy-making, voting and artistic efforts.
First Image: Claudia Yoli Ferla takes the reins effective immediately, according to a recent press release from the organization. Courtesy Image. Second Image: Raven Douglas, Deputy Director of MOVE Texas and H. Drew Galloway, the former Executive Director of MOVE Texas pose for a photo during the organization’s sixth birthday celebration. Photo: B. Kay Richter.
Yoli Ferla, as a DACA recipient, is unable to vote herself in “the only country [she’s] ever known” but is nonetheless eager to help mobilize young voters.
“[I’ve] dedicated my life to empowering communities and improving voter participation rates in our elections -- because everybody deserves a voice in our democracy,” Yoli Ferla said. “I have big plans for MOVE Texas and to continue to register and empower young voters across the state. More to come soon.”
Fellow Co-Executive Director of Deeds Not Words Amber Davis expressed pride for the work Yoli Ferla accomplished while in the organization and eagerly anticipates the work her former and current organizations will do in the future.
“From training hundreds of student leaders in our state, to building chapters across 25 Texas high schools and colleges, Claudia has always been a catalyst for social change and passionate for the rights of young people,” Davis said. “While we are sad to see her go, we are looking forward to working with her as the new Executive Director of MOVE Texas.”
Galloway, who will remain at MOVE Texas as a Senior advisor through May 7, is confident Yoli Ferla will increase MOVE Texas’ profile in such a critical time for voting rights in the state.
“At this critical moment in the fight for voting rights, I am more confident than ever in the power of young Texans to create change,” Galloway said. “Claudia will take MOVE Texas’ grassroots organizing and advocacy to the next level and I am excited to watch her build a legacy of youth leadership beside our talented staff and dedicated Board of Directors.”
Ricardo Delgado transferred to Texas State University at San Marcos to study journalism and minor in political science. He expects to graduate in the spring of 2021. Email him at reporter@sasentinel.com