About the speaker:  Barajas-Román has been a leader in progressive movements including advocating at the national level for the health and rights of immigrant women and their families. Most recently she was a manager at The Pew Charitable Trusts where she directed a portfolio of partners that campaigned for state and federal policy change to improve government performance on issues that impacted children's health. Barajas-Román brings a background in impactful philanthropy, data-driven strategy design, fundraising through philanthropic partnerships, and creating coalitions and mobilizing partners.

Previously, as the Director of Policy at National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health (NLIRH), Barajas-Román directed the organization's Washington, D.C.-based office where she was instrumental in expanding the visibility of NLIRH on the national stage. Barajas-Román was frequently invited to be a voice in national policy discussions in the media, at the White House, on Capitol Hill and in target states. In addition, Barajas-Román's leadership has been recognized by several national fellowships including the Center for Progressive Leadership Executive Fellowship, the Rockwood Leadership Institute, and an appointment to the American Public Health Association Committee on Women's Rights.

She is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), is a graduate of Oberlin College, and received her master's degree in international policy from Harvard University.