Latina who leads international agency grew up in Borderland
EL PASO, Texas (CBS4) — CBS4 On Your Side introduced an appointed U.S. Commissioner serving over 20 million residents across the U.S.-Mexico border in this week's Breaking the Bias segment.
In August 2021, President Joe Biden named Dr. Maria-Elena Giner the United States Commissioner of the International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico.
“I was taught servant leadership very young, and I was taught that you make your mark on the world by making a difference in the world,” Giner said.
That outlook, to make a difference in the world, has made Giner the second woman and first-ever Latina to hold this position.
“My motivator with this organization is to ensure that we have sustainable water for the region, that we have adequate flood protection,” Giner said. “My background is related to engineering, management, public policy. I think those are all three very important elements in my education that I have brought to this organization.”
Giner's kids are another motivator for her, she said. She explained being a mom has only given her another reason to show her children to always chase their dreams.
“This is a question I get a lot, is how did you do it? You know, I have three children, I have a husband who I’ve been married too over 25 years, and how did I do it? Work life balance is probably a huge life challenge when you’re a professional, but you just kind a steam roll through it, my grandmother always said, si se puede hija, you can do it, and you just get through it,” Giner said.
Missed last week's Breaking the Bias segment? Watch it and others in this section.
We want to hear about some of the incredible women you know in the Borderland that are Breaking the Bias.
Share them with us by sending submissions to smmadrid@cbs4local.com.
Sign up to receive the top most interesting stories from in and around our community once a day to your inbox.
