Today we’d like to introduce you to Louise “LP” Garcia.
Hi Louise “LP”, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My name is Louise Garcia, though most people in Atlanta know me simply as LP. While I officially moved here in 2018, I have been in love with this city for over two decades. There is a magnetic appeal to a place that makes belonging and community involvement feel like a way of life rather than an afterthought. Having been born in Brooklyn, NY and raised in Miami, I’ve lived in cities that are vibrant and culturally diverse, but none of them feel quite like Atlanta. Here, the idea of the community being a “group project,” as the Mayor often says, isn’t just a slogan; it is a consistent, collective action. I moved here specifically to build a career that allowed me to be part of that work.
I have been with UPS for nearly 15 years, moving through various roles in Air Operations, Engineering, and Business Development. However, when I began to see the depth of the work being done at The UPS Foundation, I made a conscious decision to “switch lanes.” I set my sights on a role within that team, and after a few years of persistence, that opportunity officially arrived in 2025. I am now working what I truly consider to be my dream job.
But like any good story, the best part isn’t how it ends, but how it began. My passion for community, philanthropy, and volunteerism is rooted in my own humble beginnings. When you grow up with very little, and you look back on the nights you went to bed hungry or without power, you realize there were non-profit organizations out there that could have helped you. That realization sparked a lifelong decision to be the help for others that I once needed. As my professional career progressed, I intentionally sought out organizations focused on youth development, economic empowerment, and ending food insecurity to get involved with.
I have raised my daughter to understand the weight of the phrase, “to whom much is given, much is required.” It is our responsibility to give back, and I carry that responsibility into my life outside of UPS. I currently serve as the Vice Chairwoman for the Andrew and Walter Young YMCA. The Southwest side of Atlanta deeply reminds me of the neighborhoods where I grew up, Carol City and Opa-Locka; when I am at the Y, I simply feel like I’m home.
In addition to my service there, I am on the board of Prospera, an organization dedicated to advancing the economic development of small business owners. This year, I am also honored to have accepted board seats on the Hispanic Scholarship Fund Advisory Council and with Agape Youth and Family. While I am incredibly proud of the work I do every day, I am even more proud of the legacy I am building. I want my daughter to see and understand the vital role we play in uplifting our community and ensuring that everyone around us has the chance to thrive.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No road worth taking is ever truly smooth. We lost my father when I was fairly young, a loss that brought on the deep financial hardships we faced in my early years. Those moments, while difficult, fundamentally shaped who I am today. They taught me resilience at a young age; I learned how to navigate the hardest moments of life and stay focused on the very next step in front of me.
It was that childhood foundation that made the impossible feel possible. Because of what I had already overcome, I found the strength to move to Atlanta alone with my daughter—sight unseen—to pursue a future that only I could build.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
At the heart of my work is a belief that when people are given meaningful, accessible ways to give back, everyone benefits. In my role, I lead global corporate philanthropy and employee engagement programs for The UPS Foundation, designing experiences that make it easy—and rewarding—for employees around the world to connect with their communities in ways that feel inclusive, intuitive, and impactful.
I focus on building enterprise-wide volunteerism and community engagement programs with a participant-first mindset. That means constantly looking for ways to remove barriers, improve consistency across regions, and ensure our efforts create real, measurable impact for the communities we serve.
What makes this work especially meaningful to me is how closely it aligns with my core values. Community, service, and purpose aren’t side projects—they’re woven directly into my day-to-day work. That alignment between who I am, what I value, and the work I get to do every day is what truly energizes me.
What are your plans for the future?
Looking ahead, my focus is on continuing to drive toward The UPS Foundation’s ambitious goals—like planting 50 million trees and having UPSers log 30 million volunteer hours by 2030. We’re on track to reach both of these milestones ahead of schedule, which is incredibly exciting, and my work will remain centered on sustaining that momentum while ensuring our efforts are meaningful, accessible, and impactful for both employees and communities.
Outside of work, I’m looking forward to evolving how I show up in my own community. Communities are changing, needs are shifting, and I believe our greatest value comes from staying closely connected to those changes. That means being willing to rethink long-standing approaches, listen deeply, and adjust how we serve so we’re addressing today’s needs—not just continuing what’s always been done.
Overall, I’m energized by the opportunity to keep building toward big, purpose-driven goals while also staying flexible, responsive, and grounded in what communities truly need right now
Contact Info:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lpaolagarcia
