Alumni

Alexis (she/her) is an experienced organizer, policy wonk, and data enthusiast. Alexis graduated from North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University, where she was trained in political science and advocacy. After completing her masters, Alexis wanted to expand her horizon within the public sector. Since then, she has worked with both government and nonprofit organizations to strengthen the decision making power of people. Alexis currently works as a Senior Program Manager for one of the largest labor organizations in the country, Service Employees International Union, also known as SEIU. She is passionate about serving communities of color and harnessing data to create lasting solutions.

Let’s dive into her story:

Tell us about the work you do and why it matters. 

I work as a Senior Program Manager for Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the largest labor union in the country, representing two million service employees.  From airport workers to janitors to nurses to a whole host of industries, my role is to ensure all our union members have all the political tools to effect change in their communities. And that work is very important because there is no racial justice without economic justice, no climate justice without economic justice. It’s all intertwined. And if we are going to build the world that we want to see, it is my opinion that we center working people in the middle of that co creation, making sure that we are fighting for folks who have two, three jobs that are marginalized, that have the insights, wisdom, and knowledge to bring forward a new vision that puts the interests of the people ahead of profit.

What’s a win that lives with you?

Last year, our union held a first-of-its-kind summit in Chicago. We convened union members from across the country who are organizing on the ground in critical battleground states. And it was powerful to witness and experience our member political organizers learning the curriculum, connecting with one another, and remembering why they are integral to the democratic process.  We had members from North Carolina, Wisconsin, California, and Georgia, all sharing their experiences, stories, and skills. It was a marathon process to bring this event to life, but we were able to host sessions on racial justice, canvassing, and a gamut of trainings to help members organize better. I learned a lot. They learned a lot. And I’m looking forward to using this blueprint for the future.

How did re:power training reshape your leadership?

As part of the Data x Power fellowship, I learned many tactical tools, including how to use and aggregate data. But what I took home from my training, more than anything, was the power of innovation. Being in a space like DxP made me think about how I can proactively build on my skillsets. How can I use data to find equitable, sustainable solutions? Being in a cohort with brilliant data minds who are capable of changing our movement landscape for the better inspired me to think more boldly and more creatively about how I can integrate data into my programmatic work. And so I’m very grateful to re:power for connecting me to the DxP cohort, and for bolstering my skills so that I can be in greater service to our union members.

This line of work requires a lot of heart and hustle. How do you find joy and recharge? 

I find joy in connecting with members and building with community. It’s the best part of my job. Being part of the organizer world and as someone well-versed in abolition ideologies, some things can feel very esoteric and distant. But grounding in the community, with my neighbors, my friends, the person crossing the street, that is very real. It can be the spontaneous conversations with a stranger, the passing jokes, sharing a laugh with a colleague, or the small joys of life that remind me that community is where my home is. I love to recharge by sleeping. Sleeping is my safe space. Rest is important for self preservation.

Diana Chávez is a digital strategist dedicated to driving meaningful change in the advocacy and nonprofit landscape. With eight years of experience, she specializes in collaborative leadership, digital strategy, and fundraising, enabling her to tackle challenges head-on and innovate for better results. With a personal connection to immigration issues and a steadfast commitment to diversity and inclusion, Diana is committed to shaping narratives that inspire and empower our communities for a better tomorrow. 

Let’s dive into her story:

Tell us about the work you do and why it matters. 

As a digital strategist at an immigrant rights org, my main focus is on removing barriers to taking action, from signing a petition to calling a congressperson to making a donation. That’s where I see the most tension in my role: people think their impact is insignificant. But true power lies in numbers, and united we stand a fighting chance. Fact is, if this work didn’t matter, elites wouldn’t pour billions of dollars into opposing our efforts. Our collective unity is a threat to their control, and it’s how we’ll make a difference and win.

What’s a win you’ll never forget? 

In 2021, I was consulting in a rural town in Georgia, supporting migrant workers at a factory where a nitrogen leak occurred. The leak killed migrant workers, leaving their families to reel with the loss of their loved ones and a lack of accountability from their employer. With the support of the local community, I helped to organize and raise over $70,000 in mutual aid for the families of those directly impacted. I take this win personally because this reminds me why community matters. When those in power neglect us, it’s the community that comes to the rescue.

How does your re:power training reshape your leadership? 

My work blends lessons from the digital organizing school and storytelling academy. The digital organizing course taught me practical skills that shaped how I lead and train my organizing staff. In fact, I used my notes to revamp our internal digital organizing plan. Storytelling academy taught me the power of people-centered narratives, especially in immigrant rights work. When I fundraise, I aim to move people to feel the depth of my stories, not to have them pity or play savior, but to bring them in to take action and see themselves as part of the solution.

This line of work requires a lot of heart and hustle. How do you find joy and recharge? 

Four years ago, I’d lose track of time and forget to eat lunch. Sometimes I would stay up till 3 am to close out a project. Now that I’m older and wiser,  I’m very boundary-conscious about my lifestyle – creating time blocks in my calendar for lunch, exercise, and mental breaks away from the screen. These time blocks remind me that my rest isn’t a reward, but a way for me to recharge and have a healthier work-life balance.  Also, this year I started pottery classes to invite play back into my life, and as a reformed Type A person, it’s healing me to love my imperfections. I’m not the best at it, but I’m learning to be bad at something and love it anyway. I’ve also started planting, following in my mother’s footsteps, who is an avid plant enthusiast.