Experience

Workers Defense Project

• United States
• Civic and Social Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Organizing Director

  • Jan 2020 - Present

• Campaign Manager

  • Oct 2018 - Jan 2020



Texas Organizing Project

• United States
• Civic and Social Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Jobs Campaign Director

  • Jan 2016 - Jul 2018

  Led a team to build power with Black and Latino working families and allies in Houston to win community benefits on developments receiving multi-million dollar tax breaks from the city. Collaborated with key allies including Workers' Defense Project, Sankofa Research Institute, SEIU Texas, Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation AFL-CIO, and Texas Housers. Through the arc of the campaign, conducted research and produced a report on the City of Houston's tax abatements, 380 agreements, and other economic development programs (link below); organized creative actions centering the stories of working moms, the formerly incarcerated needing work and housing opportunities, children for a fair economy, and other directly affected groups; supported organizers and member leaders in their development; and built a strong coalition of community, labor organizations, affordable housing advocates, and elected officials. Together we won an improved Tax Abatement Ordinance that now requires companies to include at least one community benefit in each project and all projects to hire locally, recruit from second chance programs, provide career and safety training, and include affordable housing in any residential development. Show less

• Harris County Campaign Director

  • Nov 2015 - Jan 2016


Self-Employed
• Real Estate
• 1 - 100 Employee
• Researcher and Campaign Consultant

  • Apr 2015 - Nov 2015


Fe y Justicia Worker Center

• United States
• Non-profit Organization Management
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Executive Director

  • Feb 2010 - Mar 2015

  • Grew organization’s budget from under $90K to over $400K, diversifying funding sources for new and existing programs with major sources from foundations, government grants, organizations and corporations with a critical focus on relationship-building • Developed new streams of unrestricted income by recruiting new major donors, establishing an Annual Celebration Gala (4yrs running), a Spring Barbecue, and projects connected to mission • Hired and supervised 9 staff including an Associate Director in 2013 to support sustainable organizational development and model shared leadership • Set-up organization’s independent 501(c)(3) status, including developing a Board of Directors with 50% low-income Latino representation, By Laws, Conflict of Interest Policy, Personnel Policies, Financial Policy, and new organizational name, logo, and website • Led the organization to its first public policy victory in 2013 when Houston City Council passed the Wage Theft Ordinance after a 2yr effort led by affected working families • Built an active membership of over 1,200 low-income working families engaged and empowered through the organizations programs • Represented the organization at local, regional and national level, building out new opportunities for collaboration, including an innovative participatory research project with the University of Texas School of Public Health. Other partnerships include immigrants’ rights organizations, labor unions, responsible businesses, faith congregations, attorneys, local media, and local universities. • Achieved national recognition and affiliation with the National Domestic Workers’ Alliance, the National Council on Occupational Safety and Health, the National Day Labor Organizing Network, and the Interfaith Worker Justice Worker Center Network. Show less


University of Texas - School of Public Health NIOSH Educational Resource Center
• Advisory Board Member

  • 2013 - 2015

Houston Mayor's Office of International Communities Advisory Committee
• Chair of Labor and Business Sub-Committee

  • 2010 - 2014


Houston Interfaith Worker Justice Center

• Workers' Rights Advocate

  • Aug 2006 - Feb 2010

  • Advocated for low-income workers in cases of wage theft, discrimination, and safety and health, filing complaints with government agencies, accompanying workers to small claims courts, negotiating with employers, and organizing direct actions when necessary • Led outreach efforts at community fairs, day labor corners, bus stops and parks • Set up Program Systems including case intake form, case tracking document, outreach flyers, membership application, training guide for volunteers and new staff • Facilitated “Know Your Rights” trainings in Spanish for low-wage workers in the community Show less



Geneva Global

• United States
• Business Consulting and Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Client Services Assistant

  • May 2006 - Aug 2006

  • Assisted Client Services Department Manager with reports, research, and data entry. • Assisted Client Services Department Manager with reports, research, and data entry.



Central Presbyterian Church

• Religious Institutions
• 1 - 100 Employee

• English as a Second Language Teacher

  • May 2004 - Aug 2004

  • Co-taught English as a Second Language classes for low-income Latino immigrant families, developing curricula, activities, and engaging students. • Co-taught English as a Second Language classes for low-income Latino immigrant families, developing curricula, activities, and engaging students.