Lillian Anne Abreu, Ph.D., is a professor, researcher, nonprofit leader and currently working on her first novel La Intellectual. Most recently, she served as Assistant Director and Research Associate at the Lillian Lodge Kopenhaver Center for the Advancement of Women in Communication at Florida International University (FIU).

Dr. Abreu earned her Ph.D. in Social Welfare from FIU’s Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, where her research focused on social and economic mobility among Hispanic women in the United States. She also holds a Master of Science in Fundraising Management and Nonprofit Administration from Columbia University, a Master of Science in Social Work from Loyola University Chicago, and a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Florida State University.

With more than 30 years of leadership experience spanning social services, nonprofit management, philanthropy, and higher education, Dr. Abreu has dedicated her career to advancing equity, strengthening communities, and driving organizational effectiveness. Throughout her work in Florida, Illinois, and New York, she has led initiatives that empower underserved populations through research, program development, strategic partnerships, and advocacy.

Recognized for her ability to bridge research and practice, Dr. Abreu has helped organizations achieve meaningful growth and sustainable impact through expertise in fundraising, nonprofit administration, social policy, and evidence-based program evaluation. In recent years, she has championed the integration of artificial intelligence and data-informed tools into organizational operations, enhancing decision-making, increasing efficiency, and improving outcomes for program participants. She also mentors professionals and students on the responsible adoption of AI, emphasizing ethics, transparency, and human-centered innovation.

A collaborative and forward-thinking leader, Dr. Abreu is passionate about working across disciplines to design and implement innovative solutions that expand opportunity, promote well-being, and create lasting social change.

Dr. Abreu resides in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Georgia where she enjoys an active community life and spending time with family, friends, and her rescue dog, Kenny.

Follow Lillian on LinkedIn @lillianaabreu