Karmin Noar, a Latina executive and nonprofit sector vet, has joined the San Diego Squared (SD2) team as vice president of strategic growth.

In this role, Noar will bring her expertise as a fundraiser and executive to support and help scale SD2’s impact, and expand the organization’s network of employer, talent scout, and community partners.

“I am humbled and excited to begin my work with San Diego Squared and its team of dedicated leaders committed to increasing diversity in STEM careers,” said Noar.

Noar has over 15 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, working on issues from public health and education to youth and workforce development. Prior to joining SD2, she served as Executive Director at Biocom California Institute. During her time at Biocom California Institute, she was responsible for overseeing strategies, programs and staff, and driving initiatives focused on STEM education and workforce development. Her priorities included serving job seekers and employers as well as leveraging community partnerships to prepare the emerging workforce and advance the incumbent workers of the life science industry.

In addition to these priorities, Noar guided statewide expansion and growth through new life science education and workforce development programs, including Illumina Genomic Discoveries, Life Science Young Leaders Fellowship, and the SOLA BioInnovation Lab. She provided leadership to the life science community to promote and improve diversity, equity, and inclusion in employer hiring, recruitment, and retention practices.

A leader in the education and workforce development fields in San Diego, Noar is experienced in building partnerships to provide employers with a highly skilled workforce and expanding underrepresented individuals’ access to STEM-related careers in San Diego’s high-growth sectors.

“We just leveled up in a big way,” said H. Puentes, president and CEO of San Diego Squared. “Karmin has spent her career developing diverse talent and shares our vision of seeing STEM-driven companies in San Diego and beyond that are reflective of the communities in which they operate,” said Puentes.

“We are thrilled to work with Karmin to diversify the STEM talent pipeline, empower our future leaders to thrive in San Diego’s most innovative companies and use their skills to drive change in their communities,” said William (Bill) Rastetter, chairman and co-founder of SD2.

Noar holds two bachelor’s degrees in political science and ethnic studies from the University of California, San Diego, and a master’s degree in education from Pepperdine University’s Graduate School of Education & Psychology. She is a member of the UC San Diego Chancellor’s Community Advisory Board and Teach For America San Diego Advisory Board, and she currently serves on the First-Gen Scholars and Southwestern College Foundation Board of Directors.