Dr. Gabi Vitela, PhD

Gabriela Vitela is a Research Manager at HIT Strategies. Her research focuses on Latinx and Black voter mobilization and messaging economic inequality, diversity, equity, and inclusion practices.  

Before joining HIT Strategies, Gabriela was Deputy Director of Research at Equis Research. At Equis, she conducted quantitative and qualitative research on the Latinx electorate for several partners and clients. Prior to joining the world of political polling, Gabriela was an Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Louisiana, where she taught courses on minority politics, campaigns and elections, and race and the law. Gabriela earned her Ph.D. in political science focusing on race and gender in American Politics from Louisiana State University. Her doctoral research applied an intersectional framework to electoral politics, focusing on Latinas as candidates. Her dissertation examined the effects of racialization on female candidates’ ability to raise money to run for office.  

Gabriela graduated from Texas A&M University-Commerce in 2005 with a degree in government and history. She is based in Las Cruces, NM.