Meet Alicia
Grounded in Midwestern roots and replanted in Maryland soil, I am the daughter of immigrants, a mother, a wife, a public servant, and a proud Montgomery County resident who believes deeply in paying it forward.
I was raised in Aurora, Illinois by parents who came to this country with little more than hope and determination. My father worked in the fields of California before becoming a union member in Illinois. My parents worked long hours in factories and cleaning office buildings. They taught my sisters and me the value of hard work, integrity, and believing that tomorrow can be better than today.
I grew up in a neighborhood affected by gang violence and poverty. I am here today because family, faith, and community stepped in when it mattered most. Teachers, coaches, church groups, and public institutions believed in me. Strong public schools, health clinics, and food assistance programs did not just help my family survive. They helped us build a future.
That experience shaped my belief that public service is not just a career, but a calling.
With the help of scholarships, financial aid, and student loans, I earned dual bachelor’s degrees in marketing and Spanish and an MBA from Western Illinois University. I joined Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc., to begin to give back to the communities that supported my journey. After working in the private sector and serving as a substitute teacher, I lived the American dream by becoming a diplomat and representing my country.
For nearly twenty years, I served our country as a U.S. Diplomat and Foreign Service Officer with the United States Agency for International Development. I worked in El Salvador, Tanzania, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Libya, and Washington, D.C., helping communities strengthen their institutions, expand opportunity, and create pathways to a brighter future.
I served under four presidents, Republicans and Democrats alike, focused not on politics, but on results, bringing the best of the American people to the world. My work centered on economic development, responsible innovation, strengthening communities, and saving lives.
I learned how to deliver outcomes, manage crises, and lead with integrity, guided by the belief that ALL people deserve opportunity, respect, and a fair shot.
Montgomery County feels like home because it reflects those same values. This is where my family chose to put down roots, where my children attend public schools, and where we see every day what is possible when we invest in people.
I am running for Delegate in District 14 because I believe government, when done right, can help families thrive, protect opportunity, and open doors for the next generation.
Together, we can build a brighter future for our community by Building Tomorrow Together.
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