LBJWCS Alumni Council

Lourdes G. Zuñiga is a social impact leader, Presidential Leadership Scholar, and founding member of the UNICEF USA Austin Task Force. A journalist from Peru and faculty at the Texas Justice Court Training Center, she advocates for systemic change and fights the criminalization of poverty. Zuñiga was recognized by the Austin Business Journal as one of Central Texas's most influential women in 2021, and she serves as the first LBJ Women's Campaign School alumni board chair.

Candace D. Queen is a hope-driven creative leader committed to designing more intentional and equitable futures. Her work is deeply rooted in neuroaesthetics—the science of how design impacts our well-being—and focuses on building restorative systems for brands, careers, and communities. Through her creative studio, Tabernacle, she crafts culturally rooted brand experiences, while her platform, Bright Road, redefines career and leadership development. An award-winning creative entrepreneur, Candace’s work has been recognized by Goldman Sachs’ Black in Business Program and the Estée Lauder x Vital Voices VV Visionaries Initiative. She is an alum of the LBJ Campaign School for Women and the NAACP NEXTGEN Fellowship and serves as a Strategic Growth Advisor for ADCOLOR. Candace has also been recognized as an ADCOLOR Unsung Hero and one of the 4A’s 100 People Who Make Advertising Great. 

Kimberly Hidrogo is an attorney, single mother, first-generation college graduate, and dedicated public servant committed to improving the lives of those in her community. Raised in poverty, she learned the values of hard work, perseverance, and service that continue to guide her leadership today. She has devoted countless hours to volunteer service, supporting programs that strengthen neighborhoods, empower young people, and assist those in need. Kimberly believes public service is about bringing people together to solve problems, create opportunity, and build a stronger future for everyone in the community.

Channler K. Hill graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor's degree in print journalism from the University of Houston and went on to become a teacher with Teach For America in Washington, D.C. and Houston. She earned her master's degree in education from Johns Hopkins University and served in various leadership roles in education across North Texas before beginning a career with the City of Dallas in 2021. She notably worked as a Council Assistant to former District 11 Councilwoman Jaynie Schultz as well as Assistant to the City Manager under Dallas’ current City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert. Channler is a 2025 graduate of the LBJ Women’s Campaign School at UT Austin and leads the Dallas Region of the Urban Leaders Fellowship as Director.

Dr. Virginia Elizondo is a respected community leader and advocate, she has dedicated her career to advancing civic engagement, public policy, and equitable representation. She successfully led a landmark federal lawsuit that challenged a system diluting Latino voting power, securing a victory that strengthened fair representation and electoral access. Throughout her career, she has organized communities, built coalitions, and championed policies that empower residents and elevate underrepresented voices. Her leadership continues to drive meaningful change through service on nonprofit and civic boards, advocacy, operational excellence, and a steadfast commitment to public service.

Sydney Ramon is the Manager of Postsecondary Education and Workforce Policy at The Commit Partnership, where she works to advance policies that improve educational attainment and economic mobility across Texas. Her background spans state government relations, education policy, and nonprofit advocacy, all rooted in a belief that access to opportunity can transform lives and communities. She is also the founder of The Second Course, an Austin-based community learning initiative that brings people together through shared curiosity and lifelong learning. A proud Rio Grande Valley native, Sydney is passionate about fostering civic engagement and developing the next generation of public leaders.

Sami Ewing is a graduate of the LBJ Women’s Campaign School and serves as the DC Regional Lead on the Alumni Council. She has professional expertise in both congressional communications and policy, with an emphasis on international affairs and defense. She graduated summa cum laude from the University of Florida with a BS in Journalism and is currently pursuing two master’s degrees at The Citadel and the Naval War College. She’s eager to expand bipartisan opportunities for women in public service and elected office!

Melissa Ait Belaid is an elected official, civic strategist, and systems builder who turns leadership potential into public impact. She serves on the Collin County Municipal Utility District Board of Directors and brings firsthand governance experience to her work advancing civic leadership, public accountability, and community-centered decision-making. As Director of Member Engagement at LEE, Melissa architects national strategies that move leaders into elected office, policy, advocacy, and organizing pathways. Across education, nonprofit, public-sector, and campaign spaces, she is known for translating ambiguity into strategy, building coalitions, and scaling ideas into durable systems for change.

Ana Paula “AP” Velasco is an MPA Candidate at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs and serves as a Senior Communications Consultant for Booz Allen Hamilton. Previously, she served as the Communications and Public Affairs Advisor to the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs where she provided communications and public affairs guidance to the Assistant Secretary, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, and other departmental leaders. She joined the Biden-Harris Administration as the Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs in 2022. Prior to her appointment, she worked at Trilligent, a subsidiary of APCO Worldwide, and served as a communications assistant during the Biden-Harris campaign to Dr. Jill Biden’s team in 2020. She has previously served on the Alumni Board for Running Start and the Board of Directors for Advancing Latinas into Leadership. Originally from San Antonio, Texas, she holds a B.A. in International Affairs from The George Washington University and is a recipient of the Army Civilian Service Commendation Medal and the Meritorious Public Service Medal.