Pronouns: she/her
Joined the Board of Directors: 2017

Nicole Altamirano is a dedicated leader, activist, and advocate for marginalized communities. Born and raised in San Jose, she is a proud Brown Mexican Native American lesbian woman who has committed her life to equity, representation, and social justice. Inspired by her mother, Dr. Elena Hernandez—an activist in the Chicano Movement of the 1970s—Nicole developed a passion for activism from an early age, fueling her dedication to uplifting underrepresented voices.

In response to the shifting sociopolitical climate following the 2016 election, Nicole joined the Silicon Valley PRIDE Board in 2017 as Chief Operations Officer. Following the sudden passing of former CEO Thaddeus Campbell, she stepped in as Interim Chief Executive Officer in 2020 before officially assuming the role in 2021. Under her leadership, Silicon Valley PRIDE has grown and flourished, carrying forward the mission that Thaddeus helped shape—one that Nicole is deeply committed to advancing.

Beyond her role at Silicon Valley PRIDE, Nicole has woven equity and inclusion into every aspect of her career. Since 2010, she has worked for the City of San Jose, championing diversity and representation within local government. In 2020, she co-founded the Johnson & Rivera Queer and Trans People of Color United Advocates (QTPOC United Advocates) employee resource group. This ERG has played a pivotal role in providing citywide training and special events to educate city employees and leadership about the LGBTQ+ community.

Nicole also leads the City of San Jose Fire Department’s Racial Equity Action Plan Recruitment and Outreach Strategy Committee, a crucial initiative aimed at diversifying the department’s workforce. In 2023, she was appointed as a founding member of the San José for All Advisory Group (SJ4All), a coalition of 12 leaders providing recommendations to enhance city policies and services with a focus on racial equity and historically impacted communities.

When she's not advocating for inclusivity, Nicole enjoys traveling with her fiancée, Stephanie, spending time with family and friends, and unwinding with a great Netflix show.