Influential Woman · Women's Rights Activism
Zenaida Mendez
President, National Dominican Women's Caucus
New York, NY 10019
Her Story
About Zenaida
Zenaida Mendez is an accomplished social justice advocate, author, community leader, and media professional with more than 25 years of experience in civic engagement, women’s rights, community development, and advocacy. She serves as Chief External Affairs Officer at Manhattan Neighborhood Network (MNN), where she manages relationships with elected officials, community members, producers, and other stakeholders. Drawing on her previous experience as Director of the El Barrio Firehouse Community Media Center, Mendez brings extensive expertise in public relations, community media, program development, and organizational leadership.
Mendez is also the Founder and President of the National Dominican Women’s Caucus (NDWC), which she first established locally in New York before launching the organization nationally in 2000. Through the NDWC, she works to advance women’s leadership, civic participation, and representation while organizing the annual Latina Leaders Summit. Her career in public service and advocacy includes eight years working with David Dinkins during his tenure as Manhattan Borough President and Mayor of New York City, as well as five years working with Congressman Rangel. She has also been actively involved in environmental justice and has served in leadership roles with organizations including the National Organization for Women–New York State and New York Women in Film & Television.
An author and bilingual advocate, Mendez wrote Love and Heartbreak of the Diaspora: A Life of Activism, Migration, and Leadership in the United States, available in English and Spanish, with an Italian edition forthcoming. She has also completed a second book focused on politics. Mendez earned a B.A. in Government and Public Administration from John Jay College (CUNY) and holds credentials in Studio and Field Television Production from Manhattan Public Access Television. She was the first Dominican and first woman of color to serve as President of the National Organization for Women–New York State. Throughout her career, Mendez has remained committed to service, empowerment, and community engagement, while encouraging the next generation of women to pursue their goals, serve with purpose, trust their intuition, and lead with authenticity.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Zenaida
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute much of my success to my upbringing and the strong foundation my parents provided. My mother was a high school teacher, and my father was an accountant, and both instilled in me the importance of discipline, hard work, responsibility, and perseverance. The values they taught me from an early age have shaped my approach to both my personal and professional life and continue to guide me in pursuing my goals and overcoming challenges.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
I believe the best career advice I have received is to remain true to my purpose and use my experiences to make a meaningful difference. My journey of activism, migration, and leadership has taught me the importance of perseverance, resilience, and using my voice to advocate for others. These lessons have shaped my professional path and inspired me to share my experiences through my book, Love and Heartbreak of the Diaspora: A Life of Activism, Migration, and Leadership in the United States, available in both English and Spanish.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would advise young women entering my industry to stay focused on what they truly want to accomplish and remain committed to their purpose. Whether they choose to work in the media, advocacy, or women’s organizations, I believe that service should remain at the heart of their work. Most importantly, they should lead with authenticity, trust themselves, and listen to their intuition. When you pursue your work with genuine passion and from the heart, you can create a meaningful and lasting impact.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I see the greatest opportunities in my field as creating greater representation, advocacy, and leadership for women, particularly within communities that have historically been underrepresented. One of my proudest accomplishments has been becoming the first Latina woman in politics to establish the National Dominican Women’s Caucus, a pioneering organization dedicated to advancing the rights, representation, and voices of Dominican/Latina women on a national level. This experience has reinforced my commitment to building pathways for women to lead, advocate for their communities, and create meaningful change.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are love, service, advocacy, and civic engagement. I believe it is essential to remain committed to progress, particularly when it comes to protecting women’s rights and ensuring that every voice is heard. While it can be concerning to see hard-earned rights challenged or progress reversed, I believe we must remain resilient, continue educating and engaging our communities, and encourage women to understand how the system works and become actively involved. I am committed to moving forward with purpose, compassion, and determination while empowering others to create meaningful change.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.