Ricki Leigh Flores is a nonprofit leader and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in community engagement, program coordination, team leadership, and large-scale event execution across Northern California. She currently serves as Director of Community Engagement at the I Maintain Foundation, where she leads outreach efforts, cultivates community partnerships, and supports the delivery of inclusive, mission-aligned programming that expands access to wellness, education, and community resources.

Ricki brings a strong entrepreneurial and operational background to her nonprofit leadership. As the Founder of Ava Idol Wine Group, she built and managed a regional wine brokerage serving the Bay Area and Northern California. In this role, she developed long-term client relationships, led educational presentations, coordinated promotions, and managed logistics across multiple markets. This experience strengthened her capacity in budgeting, strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and operational execution—skills directly transferable to nonprofit program management and grant-funded initiatives.

Most recently, Ricki served as a Field Event  Manager with Hatcheri Foods, where she supported public-facing community roadshows, trained and supervised regional teams, ensured compliance with food safety and organizational standards, and represented company values through education and meaningful community engagement. Her experience in hiring, training, scheduling, coaching, and performance monitoring supports strong program implementation and accountability.

Earlier in her career, Ricki held leadership roles in sales and hospitality, including Account Manager for Sweis Inc. and Restaurant Manager overseeing multi-million-dollar operations. These roles developed her strengths in budget oversight, logistics coordination, staff development, and cross-functional collaboration—key competencies in managing grant-funded programs and community initiatives.

In addition to her professional roles, Ricki is actively engaged in grassroots community service. She volunteers with Watch Me Grow Inc., Good Compenny, and I Maintain LLC, supporting youth-focused, wellness-based, and community-centered programming. Her hands-on involvement ensures programs are responsive, culturally relevant, and grounded in community trust.

At the I Maintain Foundation, Ricki is responsible for partnership development, outreach coordination, and event execution, ensuring initiatives are accessible, well-managed, and aligned with both organizational goals and community needs. Known for her people-first leadership style, strong organizational skills, and ability to build trust across diverse populations, Ricki plays a key role in advancing sustainable, community-driven impact.