Elevating other leaders with Katie Membreno

“One of the best pieces of advice I’ve received is something my mentor taught me: ‘Leaders know other leaders.’”

Meet Katie Membreno, a proud daughter of immigrant parents from El Salvador and a 2021 Ready to Lead Southwest and 2022 Ready to Win alumna. As the Executive Assistant to the Secretary of State, Cisco Aguilar, Katie embodies the spirit of community. She plays a vital role in upholding election integrity, ensuring fair and accessible voting, supporting business through streamlined registration and compliance, and protecting Nevadans from fraud. 

“Growing up in a union household shaped my perspective on resilience and community,” Katie explained. “My father, an IBEW union worker, found not just a career but a brotherhood that supported us through both prosperity and hardship. [Their support] showed me the strength of solidarity.”

Katie cites the 2008 recession as a defining moment in her life. Despite the difficulties she and her family faced, she shared, “We weren’t alone. We struggled alongside our union family, bound by shared sacrifice and perseverance. That experience shaped who I am today, instilling in me a deep appreciation for hard work, united, and the strength to rebuild.”

Through New American Leaders, Katie found herself surrounded by other leaders who were also genuinely committed to public service. At these training sessions, she also learned that losses were opportunities for growth. She said, “We may think that we are failing, over and over again, but NAL taught me to take pride in those setbacks, to see them as part of the journey rather than the end of it.” 

Ultimately, Katie urges other emerging leaders to find–and build–their community. She shared, “Uplift one another and be the supporter you hope to have in your corner. You’re not alone in our mission to create change.”

To view Katie’s full collage, you can visit our Instagram post.