MEET JOSÉ LUIS
It is my honor to humbly introduce myself and outline my platform as a candidate for the School Committee. In this website, I share my personal and professional background, and what I will bring to the School Committee. I hope that you will read more and give me your #1 vote.
ABOUT ME / WHY I AM RUNNING / WHY VOTE #1 FOR ME
ABOUT ME
My family and I have lived in Cambridge for more than 15 years, and our two sons attend a public school. Born outside the US, my wife and I came to the area for work opportunities and have stayed because of the supportive community that surrounds us. We are lucky to have two joyous boys, a family that loves us and friends from various backgrounds. As a child, I never imagined that I would live in a place like Cambridge. It is a great city and I know we can make it better, which is why I am running!
WHY I AM RUNNING
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I care passionately about the importance of education. My belief that all our kids deserve the opportunities that come from education started with my upbringing
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In Mexico, my parents invested in my brother’s and my education
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They saw it as the best “inheritance” they could give us
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We studied in English-Spanish bilingual schools in Mexico
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My parents decided to risk their future and move us to the US-Mexico Border to strengthen our English language skills
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That education provided me with unimaginable opportunities:
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Obtained financial aid to study as a Mexican undergraduate student at the University of Pennsylvania
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Earned a master's degree in Economic & Political Development at Columbia University
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WHY VOTE #1 FOR ME
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My professional experience, along with my personal background, make me well suited to be an effective school committee member.
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As an Amigos School parent:
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Have been an Amigos School Council member for 7 years including Co-Chair
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As finance committee chair of cooperative and non-profit boards (Equal Exchange, Creative Action Institute, ICA Group and LEAF), I have learned:
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To challenge group think and come up with creative solutions
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To hold leadership and management accountable for success
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Through 20 years experience and leadership in community finance (Root Capital, Mass Growth Capital, Boston Private and LEAF) I have:
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Effectively communicated & collaborated with people of diverse backgrounds:
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Working with people from low-income communities to corporate board rooms
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Learned to value and appreciate all cultures by working in the Americas, Africa and Europe
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Including working with organizations and businesses in Massachusetts
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Arrived at solutions with my clients through quantitative and qualitative analysis
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Discussing financial statements of worker-owned business
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Understanding a community’s socio/economic challenges and opportunities
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Dedicated to investing significant time to be an involved, active and engaged School Committee member by:
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Reducing personal job to part-time
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