Founder & Principal
Reuben De Leon
LinkedInI'm Reuben De Leon, Founder and Principal of Placivic. I began my career in the nonprofit and social justice sector, focusing on housing and homelessness before moving into grantmaking, where I spent more than two decades partnering with communities and public systems. Throughout my career, including leadership roles at First 5 LA and other social impact organizations, I saw firsthand what it takes to move ambitious ideas from vision to lasting impact.
That experience shapes my work today. I have designed and led grant initiatives, built cross-sector partnerships, and worked alongside leaders navigating complex challenges in early childhood, food systems, community development, the built environment, and arts and culture. My approach combines strategic planning, systems thinking, and practical implementation to help organizations turn ambitious ideas into meaningful results.
I hold graduate degrees in Urban Planning from UCLA and Public Policy from Carnegie Mellon University. I am bilingual in English and Spanish and divide my time between Los Angeles and Mexico City, a binational perspective that informs Placivic's work with nonprofits, foundations, public agencies, and community organizations across the United States and Mexico.
Outside of work, I enjoy traveling, exploring neighborhoods on foot, discovering independent bookstores, and cooking.
I'm Andrew Razo, an Associate at Placivic and a student at Brown University where I focus on computer science and philosophy. I am very passionate about serving others through social-impact work. On weekends, you can find me volunteering at the Union Rescue Mission or Grassroots Neighbors, preparing and distributing food to those experiencing homelessness and food insecurity.
I have distinct experience combining my skills in technology and my passion for social impact work through the Slalom LAPD Youth Innovation Program. My team won first place for developing and presenting a technology-based solution to a current challenge facing the City of Los Angeles. That experience taught me that meaningful work can take place not only in a kitchen or on a street corner, but also at a computer and in a boardroom.
Hands-on volunteer work is a core part of who I am, but my main mission is to find creative and practical ways to put both my technical skills and my passion for service towards communities that need them.
Outside of work I love to practice Jiu-Jitsu, play basketball with friends, and play guitar and bass for my band, The Spectrum.
