About CHSA
The Congressional Hispanic Staff Association (CHSA) is an official, non-partisan, bicameral Congressional Staff Organization, recognized by the Committee on House Administration, whose mission is to recruit, retain, and advance Hispanic staffers in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives.
For over three decades, CHSA has served as a professional development catalyst, peer support system, and personal enrichment organization for numerous congressional staffers--Latino and non-Latino alike. As an official, non-partisan, bicameral congressional staff organization, recognized by the Committee on House Administration, CHSA's mission is to recruit, retain, and advance Hispanic Staffers in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives.
CHSA continues to push for more diversity on Capitol Hill. Congressional staffers advise elected officials on issues affecting all Americans. From communicating with constituents to drafting legislation, staff plays a vital role in the operations, oversight, appropriations and policy decisions of the legislative branch. Because the duties of the legislative branch are so important to our nation, it is crucial to have all communities represented, so each have a voice in the process.
In an effort to promote career advancement, CHSA launched a new mentoring program that matches its members with senior staff and other experienced Hill professionals. In recent years, the organization has brought in distinguished speakers through the Trailblazers and Lideres initiative, which brings CHSA members face-to-face with decision-makers. It has also started a professional development series to help Hill members, and individuals wishing to get on Capitol Hill, improve their resumes, cover letters, and interview skills.
Through programming, members have had the opportunity to build professional, one-on-one relationships that help them advance their careers on Capitol Hill, and outside the Hill, to achieve their aspirations. As we celebrate the milestone of having the most Members of Congress of Hispanic descent, we look to make equally historic gains in the number of staffers.
CHSA continues to push for more diversity on Capitol Hill. Congressional staffers advise elected officials on issues affecting all Americans. From communicating with constituents to drafting legislation, staff plays a vital role in the operations, oversight, appropriations and policy decisions of the legislative branch. Because the duties of the legislative branch are so important to our nation, it is crucial to have all communities represented, so each have a voice in the process.
In an effort to promote career advancement, CHSA launched a new mentoring program that matches its members with senior staff and other experienced Hill professionals. In recent years, the organization has brought in distinguished speakers through the Trailblazers and Lideres initiative, which brings CHSA members face-to-face with decision-makers. It has also started a professional development series to help Hill members, and individuals wishing to get on Capitol Hill, improve their resumes, cover letters, and interview skills.
Through programming, members have had the opportunity to build professional, one-on-one relationships that help them advance their careers on Capitol Hill, and outside the Hill, to achieve their aspirations. As we celebrate the milestone of having the most Members of Congress of Hispanic descent, we look to make equally historic gains in the number of staffers.
2026 - 2027 CHSA Board of Directors
Leonardo Mendoza-BernuyPresident
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Leonardo was born in Lima, Peru, and immigrated to Houston, Texas, at the age of thirteen. Currently, he serves as President for the Congressional Hispanic Staff Association (CHSA). He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Houston, where he graduated summa cum laude with a B.S. in Economics.
Following his graduation, Leonardo moved to Washington D.C. as part of a fellowship cohort. During his tenure, he interned for Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX) and Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL). He soon became an active member of the CHSA, which provided him with invaluable guidance in his job search in Congress. Leonardo commenced his congressional career as a Staff Assistant and currently serves as Senior Policy Advisor for Congressman Ritchie Torres (NY-15). Additionally, Leonardo earned his Master of Public Policy (MPP) from Georgetown University in 2025. |
Michelle GaldamezVice President
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Michelle Galdamez serves as the Vice President of CHSA, and she is in her second term of the board. Originally from Santa Tecla, El Salvador, Michelle immigrated to the Texas Panhandle at age 18 in pursuit of a better education. She is the Senior Health Policy Advisor for Congresswoman Robin Kelly (IL-02), a senior Member of the House Committee on Energy & Commerce, Subcommittee of Health. She most recently served as the Health and Labor Legislative Assistant for Senator Ben Cardin (D-Maryland). She was the 2022-2023 Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) Graduate Health Fellow in Congresswoman Robin Kelly’s office (IL-02).
Prior to CHCI, Michelle also served as a Legislative Intern for Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) in the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee and completed a congressional internship in Congresswoman Veronica Escobar’s office. Michelle received a dual Master of Public Health (MPH) from the Texas Tech Health Sciences Center University and a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from Texas Tech University. She completed a bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences from West Texas A&M University. In her free time, she like to play tennis and go for runs. As Vice President, Michelle is excited to serve her communidad in this new capacity. |
Thomas HernandezTreasurer
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Thomas currently serves as a Policy Aide for the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) under Ranking Member Gary Peters (D-MI). In that role, he supports the Homeland Security team through research, drafting legislation and oversight letters, preparing committee hearing materials, as well as engaging with civil society groups to conduct oversight of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and other federal agencies. Previously, Thomas served as a Legislative Aide for Senator Laphonza Butler (D-CA), where he worked to advance education, labor, and tribal affairs policies centered on uplifting underserved communities.
Before joining the Hill, Thomas worked as an Education Program Analyst for GitHub Education and held Graduate Student Researcher positions with the UCLA Labor Center and the Public Policy Department of the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs. Prior to that, he was a Field Service Engineer for Southern California Edison (SCE), where he managed computer systems across the Los Angeles Metro West region to safeguard uninterrupted power distribution for one of the nation’s largest electric utility companies. Thomas received his BA from California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) and his master’s in public policy from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). A native of the San Francisco Bay Area, Thomas loves the outdoors and staying active, playing soccer in his free time. He is the second youngest of nine children and a first-generation Mexican American. |
D.J.
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D.J. Davis serves as Secretary for the Congressional Hispanic Staff Association. He grew up in northern Virginia and is a proud graduate of Syracuse University, where he completed a dual-major in Political Science and Public Relations.
While enrolled at Syracuse University, Davis started interning in the Central New York office for Senator Chuck Schumer. Davis continued interning for Senator Schumer after his graduation in Spring 2022 as a press intern in Washington D.C., which is where he was first introduced to CHSA. Davis is currently the Press Assistant for Senator Peter Welch. As Secretary, he hopes to incorporate news ways to build a sense of community for Latino staffers in Congress. |
Karla
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Karla Rodriguez serves as Communications Director for the Congressional Hispanic Staff Association (CHSA) and Digital Director for Congresswoman April McClain Delaney (MD-06). Raised in Pasadena, Texas, she graduated magna cum laude from the University of Houston, where she studied Political Science and History.
Her public service experience includes work with Texas State Representative Mary Ann Perez, BakerRipley, and the Harris County Elections Administrator’s Office. She began her congressional career as a Leland Fellow in Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia’s office and later served as Press Secretary, developing bilingual communications strategies. She also worked on digital and communications efforts for the Virginia House Democratic Caucus. In 2023, she received the Hobby School of Public Affairs Leadership Award. In her free time, Karla enjoys watching movies and thrift shopping. |
Alex
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Alexandra “Alex” Martinez serves as CHSA’s State and District Staff Engagement Director and as State Scheduling and Operations Director for U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen. She previously served on Rosen’s House team as a staff assistant and district scheduler. Over more than nine years in Congress, her work has spanned community outreach, constituent casework, internship-program development, and scheduling.
Born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, Alex enjoys hiking during the cooler months. At CHSA, she focuses on connecting state and district staff with one another, resources, and professional opportunities. |
Laura
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Laura Rincon-Bianchi is the Director of Recruitment for the Congressional Hispanic Staff Association (CHSA). A first-generation American raised in Houston, Texas, she earned her BA in political science from the University of Houston.
During Laura’s time at UH, she interned for the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, and later, she was awarded the 2022 Mickey Leland Fellowship, which led her to Washington, D.C. as a Homeland Security Legislative Fellow. After her fellowship, Laura was hired as a Legislative Assistant, where she supported Jackson Lee on the House Budget Committee and managed the foreign policy, appropriations, and defense portfolios. Currently, Laura serves as a Senior Legislative Assistant for Congressman Sylvester Turner, supporting him on the Homeland Security Committee, as well as handling the appropriations, defense, tax, budget, and trade portfolios. Laura has been a member of CHSA since the 117th Congress and looks forward to serving the Latino community on Capitol Hill. |
Beni
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Beni Resendiz is the Professional Development Director on the Board of the Congressional Hispanic Staff Association (CHSA). Born in San Antonio, Texas, and shaped by five formative years living in Acapulco, Mexico, Beni’s bicultural background fuels his deep commitment to community, equity, and public service.
Beni currently serves as a Legislative Correspondent for Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23). In this role, he contributes to thoughtful, responsive policymaking on issues critical to South and West Texas. His portfolio covers civil liberties. Previously, as Membership and Special Programs Manager at Centro San Antonio, Beni drove membership growth and retention by designing and executing high-impact professional development, networking, and community events. He collaborated with leadership on needs-based programming, managed budgets and logistics, and forged partnerships that amplified community engagement. Beni holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Corporate and Strategic Communications from the University of the Incarnate Word. As CHSA’s Professional Development Director, he is dedicated to delivering practical, forward-thinking opportunities that equip members with the tools to excel in Congress and advance their careers beyond the Hill. |
Eda
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Eda Garcia serves as the Social Events Director for the Congressional Hispanic Staff Association (CHSA), where she hopes to help build community and create welcoming spaces for Latino staffers on Capitol Hill. A proud Houston native and daughter of Mexican immigrants, she is a first-generation college graduate of Claremont McKenna College.
Currently working as a press secretary in for Congresswoman Norma Torres, Eda is grateful for the opportunity to give back to CHSA by organizing events that bring members together, celebrate Latino culture, and foster meaningful connections. She looks forward to working alongside the board to support Hispanic staffers in Washington, D.C. |
Nancy
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Nancy Teutle serves as Placement Director for the Congressional Hispanic Staff Association (CHSA). She is currently a Policy Advisor for Senator Ruben Gallego, where she leads his Appropriations and Education portfolio and serves as his liaison to the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC). Prior to joining Senator Gallego’s office, she served as a Legislative Assistant for Senator Jacky Rosen, covering education, workforce, and related policy issues.
Born in Los Angeles and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, she is a first-generation Guatemalan-Mexican American who is deeply committed to advancing policies that support underserved and underrepresented communities and increasing Latino representation in government. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice with a minor in Philosophy from the University of Nevada, Reno, and is currently pursuing a Master of Public Policy at American University, with a concentration in Education Policy. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with friends, family, and her cat, Kimmy. |
Richard
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A native of El Paso now based in the National Capital Region, Richard Cerros is an experienced leader in community engagement and public service. As Community Relations Manager for Congressman Don Beyer, he advocates for constituents across Fairfax County, Arlington County, Falls Church, and Alexandria, Virginia, coordinates outreach efforts, and manages key portfolios including SSA, HHS, CMS, DoD, and Veterans Affairs.
Richard’s career spans both public and private sectors. He returned to public service in 2021 after contributing to Apple’s initiatives and previously served as Assistant Director at the American Library Association. From 2013 to 2019, he advocated for individuals and communities along the U.S.-Mexico border as District Representative for Congressman Beto O’Rourke, and secured over $1 million in federal reimbursements. His experience also includes roles with the U.S. Census Bureau as a Partnership Specialist in West Texas and as Chief of Staff for a City Councilwoman and Mayor Pro Tempore in El Paso, Texas. Beyond professional achievements, Richard is deeply committed to his community. He has volunteered as a legislative liaison for the Alzheimer’s Association and at Annunciation House, an immigrant shelter. He currently serves on the executive board of the Congressional Hispanic Staff Association as Digital Director, building engagement and advocacy platforms for Hispanic staff nationwide. He is the younger of two children and a first-generation Mexican American. In his free time, Richard enjoys cooking and exploring Washington, D.C., while staying connected to his loving family and his roots in the desert Southwest. |