Alex Olivares

Rafael (Alex) Olivares received his undergraduate degree in Clinical Psychology in 2004 from the Catholic University of Santo Domingo. Since that time, he has worked in various social service and mental health settings. His work with diverse populations includes individuals with chronic mental illness and ungovernable, truant, or runaway youth.

In October 2009, he became the Program Director for Human Trafficking Services for Catholic Charities, and together with his team, provided services to over 250 victims of human trafficking in the Southwest Florida (SWFL) region. During that time, he was elected as the first Chairman of the Southwest Florida Human Trafficking Coalition, a position he held until February 2013. Under his leadership, the coalition expanded into several counties and hosted multiple human trafficking symposiums in the local area.

He earned a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Hodges University. Between 2014 and 2017, he served as the Coordinator for the Florida Gulf Coast University Resource Center on Human Trafficking, as well as the Program Director for Human Trafficking Services, Substance Abuse Counseling, and Positive Youth Development programs for Catholic Charities, District II.

He is also a current board member for the Florida Council Against Sexual Violence and the Coalition for a Drug Free SWFL. Since December 2018, he has been the CEO of The Center for Progress and Excellence, and prior to that, he served as the agency’s Executive Director and Grant Writer.