Barbara Peña Solís
Tucson,Arizona
Summary
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP PROFESSIONAL Highly accomplished executive leader with expertise in crisis management, strategic communications, and emergency response. Proven ability to develop and execute comprehensive strategies to drive organizational success. Demonstrated success in leading advocacy programs, establishing strategic partnerships, and implementing effective communication initiatives. Committed to making a positive impact in the community and advancing the organizational mission.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Associate Vice President of Advocacy
RAICES
Tucson, AZ
09.2020 - 06.2023
- Supported the Vice President of Advocacy in developing strategic direction and coordinating department programs, deportation defense campaigns, policy positions, and C4 advocacy
- Managed strategic partnerships at the national level, fostering collaboration and resource sharing
- Led the creation of campaigns integrating legal and advocacy priorities, mobilizing supporters, and driving positive outcomes
- Acted as lead strategist on federal and state policy positions, tactics, and calls to action
- Developed messaging, core narratives, and editorial content for special projects, initiatives, and campaigns
- Ensured compliance oversight for digital organizer and voter engagement specialist, enhancing voter participation efforts
- Built non-partisan campaign resources and coaching tools for advocacy staff, supporting voter contact work
- Designed action plans for targeting and tiering counties for voter ID and voter contact during the 2020 election cycle
- Conducted interdepartmental debrief on 2019-2020 advocacy efforts and internal survey on political assumptions and goals for 2021
- Analyzed and synthesized survey data to launch the successful Uprooted and Uplifted campaign
- Provided strategy support for the Keep The Promise campaign, recruiting partner organizations and coordinating decentralized actions
- Collaborated on a crisis response proposal for the organization, demonstrating strong leadership in emergency situations.
Director of Strategic Partnerships
RAICES
San Antonio, TX
02.2019 - 09.2020
- Developed and executed strategies to identify and cultivate organizational relationships nationally and in Texas, advancing campaign priorities
- Maximized existing partnerships with key stakeholders, internally and externally
- Leveraged co-branding opportunities with partners to impact immigration policy
- Monitored policy and legislative issues at the state and federal level, providing policy briefings and recommendations
- Led strategic communications with partners and facilitated quarterly partner and coalition calls
- Established the Blue Ribbon Commission on Immigration in collaboration with high-profile immigration organizations
- Developed and advanced narratives urging immediate mitigation of harms through executive action and expanded legislative protections
- Contributed research, analysis, and language for the Migrant Justice Platform, playing a key role in shaping policy positions
- Co-created C3 and C4 core narratives for the successful Don't Look Away campaign during the Iowa Caucus
- Coordinated and implemented strategic plans for No Kids In Cages installations at key caucus sites.
Director of Education and Outreach
RAICES
San Antonio, TX
08.2018 - 02.2019
- Created and executed a strategic plan for statewide and national engagement with external stakeholders, allied organizations, and volunteers
- Collaborated with legal departments to advance advocacy priorities and ensure coordinated efforts
- Managed communications with partners and allied organizations, strengthening relationships
- Expanded community programs to include DACA clinics, Power of Attorney clinics, and the 287(g) surveillance project
- Developed a San Antonio Immigration Court observers program in partnership with St
- Mary's School of Law and the ILRC
- Orchestrated the partnership with the Honors College at UTSA for the Bus Station Program to connect asylum seeking families with forward travel accommodations
- Co-chaired the La Comunidad binational asylum project
Associate Director of Education and Outreach
RAICES
San Antonio, TX
06.2018 - 07.2018
Volunteer Services Manager
RAICES
San Antonio, TX
03.2018 - 06.2018
- Assumed administrative and operational responsibilities for statewide recruitment and data management of volunteer programs for the Education and Outreach department with a focus on recently released families and/or those families residing in the jurisdiction of the San Antonio Immigration Court
- Responsibilities included: leading strategic planning for volunteer response to crises such a ICE workplace raids, unexpected mass release events and natural disaster response; designing a comprehensive accompaniment program for ICE check ins, bond payments and immigration court dates, including medical accompaniment in special cases; developing educational content calendar for Tuesdays at RAICES to boost community engagement and maximize volunteer recruitment opportunities; organizing and staffing the family reunification hotline during the height of Zero Tolerance
- The hotline was staffed 7 days a week for 8 hours every day for 3 weeks and was operationalized within 48 hours of the announcement that RAICES was assisting separated families.
Pro Bono Project Volunteer Coordinator
RAICES
San Antonio, TX
03.2017 - 03.2018
- Coordinated outreach efforts to identify new sources of volunteers and coordinate volunteer recruitment; operationalized volunteer logistics including scheduling, housing, and transportation
- Responsibilities included: digitizing the pro bono and legal volunteer orientation to increase accessibility of materials and provide a more efficient training model; working with creative team to design landing page for Karnes Pro Bono Project to raise the visibility of the Project and increase recruitment of law school clinics; developing database of Haitian Kreyol interpreters to conduct telephonic CFIs; maintaining partnerships with St
- Mary’s School of Law, UT School of Law and key law firms in Texas; coordinating post release emergency services including transportation, shelter placement and medical accompaniment; creating a tracking system for matching high risk families with social services in their destination; increasing pro bono recruitment by 50% in one calendar year.
Leasing Director and Marketing Manager
Greystar
San Antonio, TX
09.2013 - 03.2017
- Tasked with maintaining 95% occupancy at 400+ unit luxury property in Northwest San Antonio
- Responsibilities included: maintaining extensive product knowledge of all all floor plans and upgrade options; developing comprehensive marketing plans with weekly, monthly and quarterly occupancy goals; fostering community outreach programs with targeted markets including Military and major industries within the San Antonio area; developing preferred employer programs to increase brand recognition and loyalty; compliance with respect to Fair Housing laws; creating strategies to increase resident retention through monthly resident activities and events
- Working with the ownership team to increase market value and competitiveness.
Leasing Agent and Marketing Manager
The Lynd Company
San Antonio, Texas
02.2010 - 09.2013
- Worked in conjunction with Community Directors and Regional Vice President to raise the level of occupancy at all assigned properties, including luxury, mid-range and bond properties
- Responsibilities included: maintaining extensive product knowledge of all assigned properties; training leasing staff on new marketing campaigns to meet quarterly performance goals; developing comprehensive marketing plans for a range of properties with varying occupancy needs to maximize profit; creating community outreach programs including annual wellness fairs and dental clinics at income sensitive properties; ensuring compliance with Fair Housing laws; overseeing monthly resident retention efforts and producing community newsletters on a monthly basis.
Human Resources Manager
Hill Country Inn & Suites
San Antonio, TX
10.2006 - 02.2010
- Worked in conjunction with Ownership Group and General Manager to maintain employee/employer relations with respect to US and Texas labor laws
- Responsibilities included: creating policies and procedures to promote a productive, safe and beneficial work environment for employees; formalizing a training program for all new hires; training managers, supervisors and staff on all policies and procedures; developing strategy for retention of key staff during peak season; creating bonus structure for all sales employees; reviewing time cards with each department head to monitor and control overtime; reviewing and approving payroll and payables on a biweekly basis for both the Hotel and timeshare component.
Marketing Manager
Salado Creek Villas
San Antonio, TX
05.2006 - 10.2006
- Developed and implemented operational procedures for Shell LLC entertainment and dining vendors for inclusive mini-vacations at a timeshare resort; oversaw all administrative needs for the marketing department, including payroll and contract renewals for contract labor and vendors
- Responsibilities included: hiring, training and scheduling marketing personnel, training new hires on company policy; working with Project Director to resolve compliance issues between timeshare staff and hotel staff; maintaining a marketing team presence at trade shows across the state.
Grant Writer
Dress For Success
San Antonio, TX
12.2005 - 05.2006
- Created grant proposals to private, corporate, and government institutions to sustain and grow the local affiliate by 25% during the 1st quarter of 2006
- Responsibilities included: maintaining relationships and reporting compliance for grant-makers and funders; managing public speaking engagements for the CEO to raise the profile of the agency; planning and executing agency events to foster community engagement; generating talking points for Executive Director and members of the Board of Directors for public appearances.
Assisted Education and Outreach Director and Executive
- Director in identifying agency wide goals, determining advocacy priorities, volunteer needs and external communications needs
- Responsibilities included: participating in planning efforts to provide statewide volunteer management services to respond to non-legal needs at RAICES offices; organizing over 10 mobile DACA and naturalization clinics in Laredo, the Coastal Bend and Rio Grande Valley to serve communities impacted by internal CBP checkpoints; crafting messaging and strategic communications for volunteers, allied groups and stakeholders on family separation and the RAICES response.
Education
01.2020
01.2016
Bachelor of Arts - English
University of Texas
01.2009
Bachelor of Arts - Humanities, Art History
Volunteerism
Casa RAICES
01.2009
Skills
- Complex Problem-Solving
- Budget Oversight
- Negotiation and Persuasion
- Partnerships and Affiliations
- Relationship Building
- Strategic Planning
- Operations Oversight
- Staff Development
Languages
Timeline
Associate Vice President of Advocacy
RAICES
09.2020 - 06.2023
Director of Strategic Partnerships
RAICES
02.2019 - 09.2020
Director of Education and Outreach
RAICES
08.2018 - 02.2019
Associate Director of Education and Outreach
RAICES
06.2018 - 07.2018
Volunteer Services Manager
RAICES
03.2018 - 06.2018
Pro Bono Project Volunteer Coordinator
RAICES
03.2017 - 03.2018
Leasing Director and Marketing Manager
Greystar
09.2013 - 03.2017
Leasing Agent and Marketing Manager
The Lynd Company
02.2010 - 09.2013
Human Resources Manager
Hill Country Inn & Suites
10.2006 - 02.2010
Marketing Manager
Salado Creek Villas
05.2006 - 10.2006
Grant Writer
Dress For Success
12.2005 - 05.2006
Assisted Education and Outreach Director and Executive
Bachelor of Arts - English
University of Texas
Bachelor of Arts - Humanities, Art History
Volunteerism
Casa RAICES
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