Leslie is a first-generation Mexican-American proudly raised in West Covina District 2. An active participant in her community, Leslie has continuously worked towards uplifting the people of West Covina. As a student at Edgewood High School, Leslie established and co-founded the chapter of “Best Buddies”, a nonprofit organization that advanced inclusion by providing an opportunity to build one-to-one friendships with students who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. Her earliest memories in the City include free summer lunches at Orangewood Park with her mom and volunteering at the West Covina Library at just 10 years old.

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In the present day, Leslie is deeply committed to the safety of her community. She collaborates with community organizers to inform her neighbors of dangerous ICE presence in the area. She advocates against infrastructure, such as data centers, that harms residents and the local environment. She is currently a member of the Teamster Local 986 Union.

Leslie is running for City Council because she believes District 2 deserves a compassionate representative that is proactive about the needs of the residents. This City raised her and she will tirelessly work to ensure her neighbors have the tools to thrive. She will consistently make decisions with the community’s well-being at the forefront.

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Professionally, Leslie has worked in various levels of government in the field of air quality. She previously served at the California Air Resources Board where she worked on a statewide incentive program that worked with California’s 35 local air districts to reduce air pollution. She is currently an Air Quality Instrument Specialist II at the local air district, South Coast Air Quality Management District, where she maintains atmospheric instrumentation that provides the public with air quality data.

She received her Master’s Degree in Earth Sciences and her Bachelor’s Degree in Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences. At UC San Diego, she was also a Coach in a mentorship program for adults with developmental and physical disabilities and helped them transition to independent living.