"[2] Pelayo-Lozada has described her background as a multiracial Native Hawaiian raised on the Continent as being influential in her work in diversity, equity, and inclusion.
[3] Pelayo-Lozada attended El Camino College, receiving an associate degree in philosophy in 2005.
[4][5] She wrote her master's thesis describing how cultural information is retained and disseminated among those in the Native Hawaiian diaspora in Southern California.
[7] She joined the Palos Verdes Library District in 2016 as a youth services librarian.
[8] After winning, she released a statement discussing her intention to work to make ALA a more inclusive and antiracist organization as well as "a model of organizational excellence and sustainability.