Leslie Portillo Perez, Hacia Facilitator

Passionate about helping communities through projects that enhance education, quality of life, and social well-being, Leslie Portillo Perez is dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the world.

Leslie discovered her love and calling for public service at an early age, which led her to begin her professional journey in Mexico, her country of birth, as a public servant. She graduated with a degree in International Relations from a university in Mexico and later earned a Master’s degree from the Polytechnic University of Madrid, Spain. She is also the co-founder of Tree of Life International Childcare in Colorado.

With more than ten years of experience in binational relations, Leslie has held key positions at the Consulates General of Mexico in Denver, Colorado; Houston, Texas; the Embassy of Mexico in Spain; and most recently, the Consulate of Mexico in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In Albuquerque, she led the Educational Affairs Window (Ventanilla de Orientación Educativa), where she discovered the unique challenges, needs, and strengths of New Mexico’s students and migrant families.

This curiosity and commitment led her to work as a Family Liaison at Albuquerque Public Schools (APS), a role that gave her valuable insight into the public education system. Building on that passion and experience, Leslie now proudly contributes to the Hacia: Toward the University Project, continuing her mission to support and uplift families and students across New Mexico.

Leslie is the daughter of a teacher and school principal in Mexico.

Office: 505-247-8559