Her Story
About Irene
Irene Nuñez Ojeda, MBA, is the Director of Communications for the Harris County Clerk’s Office, where she leads strategic communications, public affairs, and community engagement initiatives that serve one of the largest and most diverse counties in the United States. A bilingual communications professional fluent in English and Spanish, she specializes in strategic messaging, crisis communications, media relations, stakeholder engagement, and voter outreach. Irene has built a reputation for making government information accessible to multilingual communities while strengthening public trust through clear, transparent, and inclusive communication.
Irene's career in public service began with internships in government and nonprofit communications before she joined the Harris County Clerk’s Office in 2019 as Communications and Outreach Coordinator. Through a series of leadership roles, she advanced to Communications Specialist and ultimately Director of Communications. One of her most notable achievements came during the 2020 presidential election, when she recorded ballot audio in both English and Spanish after the original recording team became unavailable during the pandemic. Her work ensured that voters requiring audio assistance could independently access election information, reinforcing her commitment to accessibility, civic engagement, and public service. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Corporate Communications with a minor in Spanish from the University of Houston–Downtown and earned her Master of Business Administration from the UHD Marilyn Davies College of Business.
Beyond her professional responsibilities, Irene is an active civic leader and advocate for voter education. She serves as Vice President of the League of Women Voters Houston chapter, contributes to the International Association of Government Officials, and is a member of the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Inspired by her immigrant parents and the mentors who shaped her career, she values courage, justice, openness, and ethical leadership. Looking ahead, Irene aims to continue advancing election communications during future election cycles while expanding her family's real estate investment business and property management portfolio. Outside of work, she enjoys ballroom dancing with her husband, reading fiction with mystical themes, and giving back to her community through civic engagement and public service.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Irene
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the unwavering support of my family, mentors, and community. My immigrant parents from Honduras and Mexico taught me resilience and perseverance, while my mother continually encouraged me to keep moving forward. The guidance of my teachers, mentors, and loved ones has given me the confidence and foundation to pursue every opportunity and overcome challenges.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received came from my wrestling coach: don’t put all your eggs in one basket. He encouraged me to define what I truly wanted to achieve, then seek opportunities that aligned with those goals. That advice taught me the importance of knowing myself, staying flexible, and being willing to pivot when new opportunities arise.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to never let bullies or setbacks stop you from pursuing your goals. Stay resilient, keep pushing forward, and remain open to change—you have to be willing to pivot when necessary. Always be learning, stay coachable and humble, and seek out mentors who can guide your growth. Build meaningful relationships, treat everyone with kindness and respect, and remember that you can learn something valuable from every person you meet.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is that even entry-level positions increasingly require significant experience and specialized skills, making it harder for newcomers to get started. At the same time, new opportunities are emerging, particularly for professionals with strong communication skills. Organizations need people who can connect, collaborate, and communicate effectively, making these abilities more valuable than ever.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that matter most to me are courage, integrity, fairness, openness, and ethical leadership. I believe in standing up for what is right, remaining calm and even-tempered in difficult situations, and never being afraid to do the right thing, even when it's challenging.
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