Kyla Aquino Irving

External Affairs Director

Kyla joined the Sierra Donor Services team in March 2022. As External Affairs Director, she is leading efforts to build relationships with diverse community members to increase organ, eye, and tissue donation. Kyla brings 12 years of marketing and communications experience with nonprofit organizations that focus on equity and advocacy.

As a two-time kidney transplant recipient and previous Ambassador for over 25 years, Kyla brings her passion for health equity and deep gratitude for donation and transplantation to the forefront of our work. Kyla currently serves as vice chair on the Association of Organ Procurement Organizations (AOPO) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force.

Kyla graduated cum laude at Sacramento State, earning her bachelor’s degree in Communications with an emphasis in public relations and minor in Marketing. She was named Sacramento News & Review’s ’40 Under 40′ in 2015 and named an ‘Exceptional Woman of Color’ by Sac Cultural Hub in 2016.