SANDRA VÉLEZ LEÓN
Sacramento
Summary
Licensed lawyer and translator with extensive experience in Mexican law and public service. Proven ability to support citizens in navigating legal systems while conducting thorough legal analyses and providing bilingual communication. Strong background in drafting and proofreading legal documents for governmental and international projects.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
Work History
Independent Professional Service Provider
Consulate General of Mexico in Sacramento, California
Sacramento
07.2019 - Current
- Consular agent at the Protection and Legal Department. Assist Mexican citizens living in the Sacramento Valley area to ensure their rights and integrity are respected by local authorities and organizations. Provide such citizens with guidance through the resources available for them to solve their needs.
- Facilitated communication between the consulate and local community organizations.
- Assisted in organizing cultural events promoting Mexican heritage and traditions.
- Provided administrative support for consular services and public inquiries.
Deputy General Director in the Undersecretariat of Hydrocarbons
Ministry of Energy of Mexico
01.2013 - 12.2018
- Conducted market research and legal feasibility studies to support international service agreements.
- Assessed invitations for the energy sector events. Recommended the assistance or not of the President of Mexico, the Secretary of Energy or the Undersecretary of Hydrocarbons.
- Developed job profiles, established goals, and created exams for new positions at the Undersecretariat of Hydrocarbons.
- Recruited personnel. Executed dismissals.
- Appointed by Principal Officer of Ministry of Energy as Advisor for Harassment Cases; conducted legal feasibility study for hiring legal advisory services to develop hydrocarbons contracts under Energy Reform and designed job profiles to align with new competencies of Undersecretariat of Hydrocarbons.
Freelance consultant, editor and translator
Habil Habitat Consultancy; Instituto Matías Romero de Estudios Diplomáticos; Instituto de Investigaciones Dr. José María Luis Mora; Talento Traductores
09.2012 - 08.2013
- Developed portfolio of infrastructure projects for State of Tabasco, enhancing project visibility.
- Drafted, proofread, and translated technical proposals for tenders, ensuring clarity and compliance with specifications.
- Translated articles for Mexican Foreign Policy Magazine and collaborated on PEMEX tenders, contributing to accurate representation of technical information.
Translations Coordinator
Grupo Educativo Angloamericano
09.2012 - 08.2013
- Supervised the translation of articles, manuals, studies, certificates, agreements, licenses, tenders, and more.
- Coordinated translation projects for educational materials and resources.
- Collaborated with educators to ensure accurate content adaptation.
- Managed timelines and schedules for multiple translation assignments.
Supervising Senior
KPMG
12.2011 - 08.2012
- Researched and analyzed data to support development of large-scale infrastructure projects.
- Researched and analyzed information to develop large-scale infrastructure projects.
- Translated terms of reference, key development requirements (KDRs), and contracts to ensure clarity and compliance.
- Achievements: Identified more business opportunities than the goal established by one of our major clients, Hera Holding of Spain, in Mexico.
- Global Infrastructure & Projects Group Advisory
Deputy Director in the Undersecretariat of Electricity
Ministry of Energy of Mexico
05.2008 - 11.2011
- Authored over 40 speeches for Undersecretary of Electricity and Secretary of Energy, enhancing communication on key energy policies.
- Achievements: Authored more than 40 speeches for the Undersecretary of Electricity and the Secretary of Energy. Assessed around 100 invitations to the energy sector event's and requests of audience with the President of Mexico, the Secretary of Energy and the Undersecretary of Electricity. Performed as a liaison to the Federal Institute for Access to Information and Data Protection (IFAI) and to the President's Office of the Federal Service Network for Citizens.
- Directed energy policy implementation across national initiatives.
- Collaborated with stakeholders to develop sustainable energy strategies.
- Managed cross-functional teams to support energy projects and programs.
Advisor for the Representative of the firm in Mexico City
Currie & Brown México
Mexico City
10.2007 - 04.2008
- Reviewed final documents for the integration of PPS contracts. Completed writing, proofreading, editing, and translation tasks. Main projects included Centro Cultural Mexiquense de Oriente and High Specialty Regional Hospital in Zumpango, State of Mexico.
- Advised clients on project management best practices and methodologies.
- Facilitated communication between stakeholders and project teams effectively.
- Developed comprehensive project plans to ensure alignment with client expectations.
Researcher
Instituto Latinoamericano de la Comunicación Educativa (ILCE)
01.2005 - 12.2006
- Analyzed content on ILCE English Campus to enhance teachers' linguistic abilities for Ministry of Education of Mexico.
- Collaborated with international organization to support educational initiatives and promote cross-cultural exchange.
- Conducted comprehensive research on educational communication trends in Latin America.
- Analyzed data to inform program development and improve educational strategies.
- Collaborated with educators to design effective communication materials for diverse audiences.
Deputy Director at the General Direction of North America
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexico
06.1993 - 11.2001
- Information analysis, writing reports, agendas, press releases, diplomatic notes for bilateral meetings. Document translation, editing and proofreading. Analysis of the Mexico-United States relationship.
- Coordinated 15 binational and high-level meetings, including the Presidential Visit of George W. Bush to Mexico and the Official Visit of Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, enhancing diplomatic relations.
- Led diplomatic initiatives to strengthen international relations and partnerships.
- Coordinated high-level meetings with foreign dignitaries and stakeholders.
- Developed policy recommendations for enhancing national security strategies.
Executive Assistant for Director General
Maloney Commodity Services, Inc.
03.1992 - 12.1992
- Scheduler. Copyeditor and translator. Analysis and follow up of reports.
- Managed executive calendars and scheduled meetings for senior management.
- Coordinated travel arrangements for executives across multiple locations.
- Prepared and organized documents for board meetings and presentations.
Education
Certificate in US Criminal Procedure & Immigration Law -
University of Arizona
01-2022
11th Annual Summer Seminar in US Studies -
University of California, San Diego
01-1999
6th and 7th Diploma Programs in Foreign Policy -
Matías Romero Institute of Diplomatic Studies
Mexico01-1996
Law Degree Diploma -
Universidad Iberoamericana
Mexico CitySkills
- Legal analysis and research
- Copyediting and proofreading
- Translation services
- Speech writing
- Regulatory compliance
- Bilingual communication
- Methodical planning
- Organizational skills
- Detail orientation
Languages
- English
- English/Spanish
- Spanish, Native speaker
- English, First Certificate in English, Cambridge University, UK
- English/Spanish, Certificates on legal, medical and business translation, University of Arizona
Training And Professional Development
- Diploma Program in Legal Translation, Mexican Organization of Translators (OMT), Currently in progress
- Certificate in US Criminal Procedure & Immigration Law, University of Arizona, 02/22
- 11th Annual Summer Seminar in US Studies for Latin American Social Scientists and Non-Academic Professionals, University of California, San Diego, 06/99
- 6th and 7th Diploma Programs in Foreign Policy and Workshop on U.S. Law, Matías Romero Institute of Diplomatic Studies, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexico, 05/95 - 06/96
Fields Of Experience
- Bilateral relations Mexico-USA
- Mexican government and legal system
- Legal analysis
- Human resources
- Transparency
- Bidding processes
- Public-Private Projects
Timeline
Independent Professional Service Provider
Consulate General of Mexico in Sacramento, California
07.2019 - Current
Deputy General Director in the Undersecretariat of Hydrocarbons
Ministry of Energy of Mexico
01.2013 - 12.2018
Freelance consultant, editor and translator
Habil Habitat Consultancy; Instituto Matías Romero de Estudios Diplomáticos; Instituto de Investigaciones Dr. José María Luis Mora; Talento Traductores
09.2012 - 08.2013
Translations Coordinator
Grupo Educativo Angloamericano
09.2012 - 08.2013
Supervising Senior
KPMG
12.2011 - 08.2012
Deputy Director in the Undersecretariat of Electricity
Ministry of Energy of Mexico
05.2008 - 11.2011
Advisor for the Representative of the firm in Mexico City
Currie & Brown México
10.2007 - 04.2008
Researcher
Instituto Latinoamericano de la Comunicación Educativa (ILCE)
01.2005 - 12.2006
Deputy Director at the General Direction of North America
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexico
06.1993 - 11.2001
Executive Assistant for Director General
Maloney Commodity Services, Inc.
03.1992 - 12.1992
Certificate in US Criminal Procedure & Immigration Law -
University of Arizona
11th Annual Summer Seminar in US Studies -
University of California, San Diego
6th and 7th Diploma Programs in Foreign Policy -
Matías Romero Institute of Diplomatic Studies
Law Degree Diploma -
Universidad Iberoamericana