Lorena Austin is a fifth-generation Arizonan with a lifelong passion for advocacy and leadership rooted in the west Mesa community where she was born. Lorena is a proud alum of Mesa Community College, where she served as Student Body President and now works as Student Government Advisor. She graduated summa cum laude from Arizona State University with a B.A. in Chicana/o and Latina/o Studies (U.S. and Mexican Regional Immigration Policy and Economy) from the School of Transborder Studies. With experience in the public, private and non-profit sectors, Lorena worked with Verizon’s Innovative Learning Program to bring advanced technology and curriculum to Title I schools across the country. As a project manager for Maricopa Community Colleges, she helped to elevate a student voice onto the district’s governing board for the first time in history. A longtime volunteer for Mesa’s United Food Bank, she also has served as an Advisor for Anytown Arizona Leadership Camp and helped rally COVID-19 relief for indigenous communities in the Navajo Nation. Endorsements: AEA • AFLCIO • AFSCME • Arizona List • AZ Tech Council Planned Parenthood • Climate Cabinet • Emily’s List • Equality Arizona • Every District • Forward Majority • Human Rights Council (HRC) • Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate • Maricopa Young Democrats • NARAL • Our Voice, Our Vote • Sister District Progressive Turnout Project • SOS AZ Public School Proud Candidate • State’s Project • Swing Left • Way to Lead • Working Families Party
