Frances Valdez (she/her) is the Executive Director of Houston in Action, a collective impact initiative that believes that by working together to reduce systemic barriers we can increase civic participation in the greater Houston region. Valdez’s understanding of the nuances in Harris County’s diversity and her history of organizing positioned her well to launch and develop the foundation for the organization in 2018. Over the past three years, under her leadership, the organization has grown significantly to include over 100 members, partners, and affiliated stakeholders that make up the Houston in Action network. Their collective work is moved by the shared ethos that, regardless of social identity, people should have equal opportunities to participate in, and have a meaningful impact, on civic life.

In 2020, Valdez engaged Houston in Action to be a central leader in Census 2020 efforts and 2020 election coordination in Harris County. Instead of focusing solely on numbers and votes, Houston in Action’s Census work focused on holistic care, recognizing that communities most at risk for an undercount were also suffering from Covid-19. Leaning into the collective impact model, Houston in Action worked with and directed funding to organizations already embedded in communities, encouraging the growth of community bonds. In 2021, that work continued post-Census to include coordinating efforts for equitable vaccine implementation in Harris County, the creation of Unity Maps with member organizations to affect redistricting lines, and the implementation and funding of Black, Latinx and AAPI Grassroots Organizing Cohorts in Houston.

Prior to starting Houston in Action, Valdez had a 13-year career as an immigration attorney, advocacy and policy advisor, director, and civic engagement coordinator within the immigrant rights movement. Valdez received her Bachelor of Liberal Arts Degree in Latin American Studies and Mexican American Studies. She received her Law Degree from the University of Texas School of Law in 2005. She currently lives in Northside Houston with her wife Nelly, her son Frankie and her dogs Remi and Roo.