About.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.
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History
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.
2025-2026 Board of Directors
Leonardo Mendoza-Bernuy
President 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, is a Senior Legislative Assistant for Congressman Ritchie Torres (NY-15). Additionally, Leonardo is a part-time graduate student at Georgetown University where he is currently finishing up his Capstone and is on track to graduating with his Master of Public Policy (MPP) this May. |
Michelle Galdamez
Vice President 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. |
Diego Jauregui
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D.J. Davis
Secretary 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. |
Beth Wiesinger
Communications Director Beth Wiesinger, born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina, is serving as the Communications Director of CHSA for her second term. She graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a double major in International Affairs and Sociology.
Having been a freelance photographer since 2014, Beth enjoys creativity, marketing, and good storytelling. She began her career in 2023 as a Max Kampelman Communications Fellow for the U.S. Helsinki Commission and served for two terms before taking on a role as Digital Director for Rep. Adriano Espaillat (NY-13). She now serves as the Digital Director for Rep. Jimmy Gomez (CA-34). In her free time, Beth loves watching good television crime dramas and painting |
Richard Cerros
State and District Engagement Director Richard Cerros (SEH-rows), a native of El Paso now residing in the National Capital Region, is the Community Relations Coordinator for Congressman Don Beyer. He covers Fairfax County, Falls Church, and Alexandria, Virginia. He also manages Rep. Beyer’s portfolios for the SSA, HHS, CMS, DoD, and VA. Richard returned to public service in 2021 after working at Apple and previously served as the Assistant Director for the American Library Association.
From 2013 to 2019, Richard was a District Representative for Beto O’Rourke on the U.S.-Mexico Border, where he facilitated over a million dollars in federal reimbursements for constituents, mostly involving the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. He later joined the U.S. Census Bureau, and in 2020, he became Chief of Staff for Councilwoman Alexsandra Annello in his hometown. Richard has also volunteered as a legislative liaison for the Alzheimer’s Association and at Annunciation House, an El Paso immigrant shelter. Most recently, he has served as the Acting State and District Engagement Director for the Congressional Hispanic Staff Association. He enjoys cooking in his free time, and despite missing his loving family and the desert southwest, Richard is enthusiastic about being in Washington, D.C., and Virginia's 8th Congressional District |
Laura Rincon-Bianchi
Recruitment Director 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. |
Eda Garcia
Social Events Director 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. |
Daniella Sanchez
Professional Development Director Daniella Sanchez serves as the Professional Development Director for the Congressional Hispanic Staff Association (CHSA). She was born and raised in Ontario, California and is the Policy & Advocacy Coordinator for the Democratic Women’s Caucus.
Previously, she was a Legislative Assistant for her hometown representative, Congresswoman Norma Torres. Daniella graduated from Georgetown University, where she double majored in History and Government and minored in Women’s & Gender Studies. In her spare time, Daniella enjoys thrifting, traveling, and reading rom coms. As a proud Salvadoran-Mexican-American and as the Professional Development Director, Daniella is excited to serve the Latino community on the Hill. |
Roland Hernandez
Placement Director Roland currently serves as a Subcommittee Staff Director on the House Committee on Homeland Security (CHS). Previously, he was a Senior Professional Staff Member serving simultaneously on CHS’s Subcommittee on Counterterrorism, Law Enforcement, and Intelligence (CTI) and the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection (CIP). In these roles, he was responsible for oversight, policy, and legislative activity related to the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) domestic intelligence operations, the U.S. Secret Service, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), and countering unmanned aircraft systems (UAS/drones).
Before joining the House Committee on Homeland Security in 2022, Roland spent four years working for the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. In October 2024, Roland co-founded the Congressional Staff Association on Artificial Intelligence (CSA.ai), where he currently serves as Managing Director. CSA.ai is a nonpartisan, bicameral organization dedicated to educating and engaging congressional staff on the policy implications of artificial intelligence and fostering discussions with experts from government, industry, and academia. Roland earned his bachelor’s degree in finance and business management from Texas Tech University and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Data Science at Brown University. |
Jose Puente
Digital Director
Digital Director
Jose Puente is serving his second term as Digital Director for CHSA. Jose is originally from Ennis, TX, a small, rural town south of Dallas, where his passion for public service started. He was inspired by his grandmother’s service to the American Red Cross to help and give back to his community. He is a proud first-generation, low-income graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, where he graduated in May 2023 with a B.S. in political communication.
Jose is the Communications Assistant for Congressman Greg Casar (TX-35). Prior to working on the Hill, he worked as the fellow for the Texas AFT, the Texas state affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers, advocating for public education in the 88th Texas Legislature.
As Digital Director, Jose hopes to engage CHSA’s broad audience by showcasing the meaningful work CHSA members are doing everyday through social media posts. In his free time, you can catch Jose exploring D.C. or listening to the latest Ariana Grande song.
Questions? Want to contact a board member? Email [email protected].