Cecilia Silva

My journey into nonprofit advocacy began 11 years ago when I was working as a paralegal. I attended a conference for young women to learn about politics and the public sector, and I fell in love with the programming and logistical side of that convening. That experience inspired me to pursue my first internship, where I learned about startup nonprofits and what makes them extremely successful and puts them on the path towards stability. After 4 years as a paralegal, I jumped into this new career head-on, also starting work in campaign work at the same time. Today, I work for the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas, where my work varies based on what's happening in Texas. My days are often heavy with deep conversations about the state of Texas and our civil rights and civil liberties, and I focus heavily on scenario planning and strategic thinking, always considering what's the worst that can happen and then thinking in reverse. A core part of my work is community and relationship building, understanding what partners are going to be most impacted by new policies and decisions, and providing them with the resources they need to know their rights, feel empowered, and stay informed as the work is ever evolving and changing. I'm currently building a team and will be hiring this summer, and I recently received a promotion at work.