Congresswoman Veronica Escobar, a third generation El Pasoan, proudly represents Texas’ 16th Congressional District. She is the first woman elected to this seat and the first of two Latinas from Texas to serve in Congress. Congresswoman Escobar serves on the prestigious House Judiciary Committee, House Armed Services Committee, House Ethics Committee, and the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis. She is a member of the LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus and holds leadership positions on both the Democratic Women’s Caucus as Vice Chair and the Women’s Working Group on Immigration Reform as Co-Chair.
In Congress, she has established herself as the voice of the border and as a national leader on gun safety, health care, and immigration. She is committed to advancing legislation that dismantles the racist systems that perpetuate the inequality and marginalization of communities of color.

Ivanna Neri is the FII’s Partnership Director for the Southwest region and has been at FII since 2018. Her studies include nutrition science and public administration. Ivanna is a Mexican-American (first generation immigrant) who arrived to the US 8 years ago and some of her experience includes community organizing, community engagement, public policy, strategic partnerships and institutional and public fundraising. She is also an appointed member to the City of Austin Economic Prosperity Commission since 2019 and a current alum to the Harvard Women’s in Leadership Academy.

Vivian leads the National Council on Aging’s ecosystem of national and community partnerships, external engagement of NCOA’s policy priorities, and programs focused on vulnerable populations of older adults. For over a decade, Nava-Schellinger has used equity as a baseline principle of her work - whether working on large scale reimbursement programs in the private sector, securing funding for health literacy programs and driving Affordable Care Act (ACA) outreach in vulnerable communities, or advocating for greater health and economic security across the lifespan for underrepresented populations. Vivian enjoys spending time with her husband and three pups Fernando, Phil-Chepito and Nacho.

A second-year Biology Major and a minor in African and African Diasporas Studies at the University of Texas at Austin. I am originally from Dallas and in my free time, I like visiting new places, trying new pastries, and spending time with family and friends.

Ms. Overton received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Vanderbilt University and Master of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin. She is actively engaged in the community as demonstrated by her involvement in various civic and volunteer activities. In her leisure time, Ms. Overton enjoys reading, watching sports, and spending time with family and friends.

Pifas Silva is the Director of Programs & Services for the Alzheimer’s Association West Texas Chapter and is charged with providing leadership and strategic direction for the implementation, growth and quality of Alzheimer’s Association programs and services throughout 80 counties of West Texas. Prior to this, he served as a Constituent Representative for Congresswoman Veronica Escobar, and has previously held marketing and community outreach positions with the El Paso Catholic Schools, Destination El Paso and the San Elizario Independent School District. He has also worked as a journalist with KVIA-TV ABC 7 and the El Paso Times. Pifas is a member of the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) Alumni Association, the Public Relations Association of the Southwest and also serves on the Advisory Council of the Undergraduate Research in Geriatric Experiences Program at UTEP.

Brion Oaks is first Chief Equity Officer for the City of Austin. Brion is responsible for working with City leadership and local communities to create an equity framework and facilitate dialogue and organizational practices that support the development and adoption of equity as a shared value. He serves as the technical expert in addressing equity as it is applied to city wide policies, programs, practices, and budget decisions with an overall vision to make Austin the most livable city for ALL.

Lorena is a Texas born and raised native El Pasoan. She works as both the Youth and Senior Services Director for the Borderland Rainbow Center, the area's only LGBTQ community center. She brings together past work experience in the fields of emergency medicine and education in order to help serve the community she is from. She received her BS in Nutritional Science from Purdue Global and is pursuing a MS in Health Education.