Dr. Maria Elena Giner ’85 currently serves as the United States Commissioner of the International Boundary and Water Commission. She was appointed by President Joseph Biden in September 2021. She is the first Latina and second woman to hold this post. Giner’s work over the past 30 years on policies of binational cooperation in water, energy, climate change and action, and the development of sustainable infrastructure, led to her nomination by the United States Congress back in May 2021.
Dr. Giner is well regarded among state agencies and local communities in California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and the six Mexican border states. With the support of the BECC staff, she led the development and financing of $9 billion in environmental infrastructure, benefitting about 100 communities and over 10 million residents. In addition, she has published extensively on water policy and transboundary bilateral cooperation. Dr. Giner’s education includes a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Loyola Marymount University, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Texas at El Paso, and a Ph.D. in Public Policy from the University of Texas at Austin. She is also a registered professional engineer, first-generation college graduate, and daughter of an immigrant. Dr. Giner is from the border region and attended Loretto Academy High School in El Paso, Texas.
Gabriela Gallegos ’94 graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in government and philosophy from Cornell University and later went on to receive a Master’s in Public Policy and a Juris Doctorate from the University of California Berkeley. While at Berkley, she became the first Latina to become the Editor-in-Chief of the UC Berkley Law Review. Today, Gabriela is the President and Race Director for Race El Paso, as well as an attorney and Associate Professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health, El Paso campus.
In November 2021, Gabriela was elected to the World Triathlon Executive Board Committee. She is the first person of color to be nominated by the U.S. to the World Triathlon Executive Board. She was elected to the USA Triathlon Board of Directors in 2018 as its first Latina member. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Pan American Triathlon Confederation and YWCA El Paso del Norte. Gabriela Gallegos is the daughter of the Honorable Judge Patricia Macias ’69.
Marilyn Corbin-Burdick ‘04 graduated with a Bachelors of Arts in Philosophy from the University of Texas at El Paso and then went on to get a Masters of Education in Guidance and Counseling. She has national publications exploring the systemic issues and recommendations with working with military populations as well as correctional populations. Marilyn has presented locally and statewide on issues regarding mental health therapeutic practices, presenting to mental health and education professionals. Marilyn currently practices as a Licensed Professional Counselor in El Paso, and is working on ways to educate El Paso therapists on utilizing somatic interventions during the therapeutic process.
“Loretto definitely taught me the skills to work towards all these accomplishments, but another tremendous influence has been the friendship I got at Loretto. I still keep in close contact with friends I made, even some that I met back in 7th grade. We all encourage and support one another with which ever paths we make for ourselves. Being a part of a community in a way that fosters the spirit of education, and that honors individual and collective health are what drives my choices professionally and personally. I am grateful for the academic experience I had at Loretto, and for the relationships and community I get to carry with me.”
With your support, we can continue educating young leaders, make our school more inclusive with the addition of an elevator, support more students with tuition assistance, retain and attract highly-qualified educators, and maintain and improve our school grounds.
Donate Today!