Diana Arévalo didn’t come from power—she came from purpose.

Raised in San Antonio by two public school teachers, she was taught early that service isn’t optional—it’s a responsibility. No shortcuts. No safety nets. Just hard work, community, and the belief that you show up for people.

She carried that mindset into every opportunity she earned—not given. From gaining internships at the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to the United States Senate in the Office of U.S. Senator Edward “Ted” Kennedy to the U.S. Department of Education’s White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics, and ultimately to the White House Office of Public Engagement, Diana learned how decisions are made—and more importantly, who they impact.

She strengthened that foundation as a Fellow with the United Leaders Institute for Political Service at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, and as a graduate of the Women’s Campaign School at Yale University—an experience that sharpened her ability to lead, run, and win in spaces where people like her were often overlooked. Years later, she would come full circle—serving as a mentor for the LBJ Women’s Campaign School at The University of Texas at Austin, helping guide the next generation of women leaders into those same rooms.

She wasn’t there by accident. She got there by doing whatever it took—including selling barbecue plates to fund her early opportunities and investing in her own path when no one else could.

Those early experiences weren’t just resume lines—they were a front-row seat to power. And they made one thing clear: too many people like her family weren’t in the room. From advising leaders within LULAC Texas to serving on the San Antonio Mayor’s Commission on the Status of Women, the City of San Antonio Convention and Visitors Commission, the VIA Metropolitan Transit Citizens Advisory Council, and the Environmental Health Oversight Committee for CPS Energy, she put in the work locally long before holding office.

She helped shape initiatives like the City’s Recycling and Resource Recovery Plan, and mentored students through Communities in Schools and taught personal finance for middle school students through Junior Achievement of South Texas—because for her, leadership doesn’t start in elected office. It starts in the community.

At the same time, she was building the foundation to lead. A graduate of the University of Texas at San Antonio with a B.B.A in Management and an M.B.A. from Our Lady of the Lake University, Diana combined education with action—earning her MBA while continuing to invest in leadership development at every level.

Elected in 2016, Diana Arévalo served as a State Representative for Texas House District 116 for one term. During the 85th Texas Legislature, where she focused on expanding educational opportunities, improving healthcare, and advocating for veterans and working families. She served on the House Public Health Committee, Defense & Veterans' Affairs Committee, and Rules & Resolutions Committee, and was an active member of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus, the House Democratic Caucus, and the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators.

In recognition of her leadership and commitment to public service, Diana was named "Freshman of the Year" by the Legislative Study Group and received the "Patient Protector" Award from the Texas Society of Anesthesiologists for her work on behalf of Texas patients.

She used her legislative experience to advocate for others suffering from ALS. She works as the Managing Director of Advocacy for the ALS Association, overseeing state public policy in multiple states. Recently she led a coalition in Texas to pass the Chris Larkin ALS Act.