Delia Garcia currently serves as the Natl Chair of the BHCC BAC, & as National Executive Director of the Natl Migrant Seasonal Head Start Association in Washington, DC. She was elected to the Kansas House of Representatives in 2004, where she became the first Latina woman and, at the age of 27, the youngest female to serve in the Kansas Legislature. During her six-year tenure, she served with a strong track record of championing advances in education, small business, & health access. She was a strategic legislator in fighting off anti-immigrant legislation while encouraging a healthy, bi-partisan dialogue, and protected the In-State Tuition state law. She has a long track record in electoral campaigns, since 1996 in Federal, statewide, and local races in Kansas and Texas. Garcia is a national leader on small business, civic engagement, and the process of running for elected office. Delia received her Master’s Degree from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, TX. She is a graduate of Wichita State University & the Harvard University Executive Leadership Program. Garcia has received numerous recognitions for her leadership & service, including a permanent exhibition in the State of KS Historical Museum as the first Latina elected in Kansas, the MALDEF Matt Garcia National Public Service Award, and the National Latina Trailblazer in Government awarded by the USHCC. She is nationally recognized in various national publications, including on her published research on the Psychological Behaviors of Young Latino Voters.
Delia serves on the national board of numerous organizations. In addition to her extensive political experience, Delia has a wealth of knowledge in small business management, in her family’s business, Connie’s Mexico Café, Kansas’ Oldest Family Owned Mexican Restaurant since 1963. Previously, she served as the NEA MCOP Senior Liaison in DC, where she brokered national relationships for NEA leadership and developed leaders across our country. Selected to participate in the Executive Seminar on Leadership, Values, and the Good Society.