Lela Panagides

Board Member

Lela Panagides is Board Chair of Rapid Response Housing Solutions, a non-profit, volunteer, community-based organization that provides assistance to those who are unsheltered in Carlsbad and North County San Diego. Founded in 1990 as Caring Residents of Carlsbad, Rapid Response Housing Solutions focuses on local solutions to homelessness. Since 2020, Lela has lead the organization to expand RRHS’s impact in the community which now supports three programs with other, local nonprofits including Interfaith Community Services, Operation HOPE-North County and Catholic Charities.

Lela's professional career spans the globe with Fortune 500 companies as an HR leader responsible for talent strategy, organizational and culture change, strategic planning, and operations. She is the founder of Leap Into Leadership and a Blue Courage Certified Instructor which provides intensive leadership training to law enforcement professionals.

Lela believes service to others is paramount and she gives her time, resources, and talents to charitable institutions in San Diego and beyond.