About:

Irene Godínez is a North Carolinian of Mexican heritage. Irene is the Founder and Executive Director of Poder NC Action, a values-based 501(c)(4) organization. Poder is running one of the most robust Latinx voter outreach program in the state and has distinguished itself with its innovative mail program.

Irene was previously the Co-Executive Director at LEAD NC Institute where she sought, encouraged and cultivated a new generation of community and civic leaders for North Carolina. In 2016, Irene served as the North Carolina Latino Vote Director with the Hillary for America Campaign. Irene’s work at issue-based nonprofits, coupled with her campaign experience crystallized her mission – to seek equitable political representation for underserved communities and to create a civic leadership pipeline of Black and Brown youth.

Irene has over 15 years experience in nonprofit management, community mobilization and engagement, lobbying, coalition-building, advocacy, media relations, and strategic communications. Irene has worked for local, state, and national organizations on advancing immigrant and reproductive rights, from El Pueblo, Inc. and New American Leaders and Planned Parenthood Health Systems (now Planned Parenthood of the South Atlantic).

Irene is an active volunteer and has served on various boards and committees, including: the American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina and Student Action with Farmworkers, to name a few. Irene lives and plays in Raleigh, NC with her loud 4 year old, Emerald and her partner of 20 years, Jonny.

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