Yesenia’s organizing is grounded in her courage and determination to claim power in spaces where decisions are made that affect our lives. She is deeply committed to leadership development and knows that health care transformation cannot be won without the power of ordinary people. She continues to learn and grow by listening to the call of her Native roots and her Chicanx roots, and her belief that we have a responsibility to love and care for one another. 

Yesenia immigrated from Durango, Mexico at age 12 and is proud to call Pueblo, Colorado her home. She has been leading and winning campaigns and building new leaders for more than two decades. She discovered her passion for organizing while advocating for ASSET in-state tuition equity and was instrumental both in the repeal of SB90, Colorado’s “Show Me Your Papers” law, and in the management of the 2014 statewide I Drive campaign to secure driver’s licenses for all immigrants. At CHP, Yesenia was instrumental in the strategy to expand insurance coverage for folks who are undocumented through Cover All Coloradans and OmniSalud. She has advanced Language Justice as a practice at CHP so we can continue to build a movement where people can speak the language of their hearts and be their authentic selves. Outside of her organizing at CHP, Yesenia is the Chair of Pueblo Community Health Centers. 

Yesenia envisions a health care system where each one of us can get the care we need without worrying how we will pay for it; a health care experience where we will be able to communicate in the language of our hearts; a system where we will be seen as a unique individual rather than just a number; healing and wellness in which our cultural beliefs are respected. 

Yesenia is the mom of three boys, and she enjoys cooking and long talks with her partner, José.