Alexis Gonzalez didn’t always know where her path would lead, but she knew she wanted to help others and make a difference.

Born and raised in California’s San Fernando Valley and of Mexican and Salvadoran descent, Gonzalez developed a strong sense of cultural identity and perseverance through personal adversity. After moving to Texas with her family, she encountered a different cultural rhythm, yet the sense of familia remained. As an adult, she pursued roles aligned with her passion for helping others. 

Her experience as an administrative assistant—where she developed essential job skills—led her to apply for an executive assistant position at the American Red Cross North Texas Region. However, when Regional CEO Linda Braddy and then Communications Director Brian Murnahan recognized her communications skillset and deep commitment to service, they offered her a different opportunity: Regional Communications Manager. 

The offer marked a pivotal moment in Gonzalez’s career. In her current role, she draws on her personal journey as a storyteller to amplify stories of resilience in disaster-affected communities, creating content to educate, inform and advocate for diverse communities, aligning her values with the mission of the Red Cross. As an active blood donor, Gonzalez also works to dispel myths and educate her local community about the importance of Hispanic donors. 

Gonzalez said, ‘If you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life,’ reflecting a popular quote that influenced her career choices. 

She works with her local region and colleagues nationwide to advance the Red Cross Latino Engagement Initiative. Whether sharing information with Spanish-language media or deploying to disasters nationwide, Gonzalez ensures the Red Cross mission reaches the communities it’s needed most in a language they can connect with. 

During her first deployment, she realized a disconnect existed between Hispanic communities and their awareness of available resources.

“As a proud Latina, I use my role to give a voice to those who may not speak up, empower others through information and be the bridge between the Red Cross and the Hispanic community. Somos el puente,” Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez is passionate about building resiliency in diverse communities by first understanding their situations and then striving to meet their needs. When reporting on the ground, Gonzalez carries the stories of everyone she meets—individuals whose stories often transform her own perspective. She seeks to offer the greatest gift she can: hope. And usually, it’s hope in the face of tremendous challenges. That kind of hope brings Gonzalez deep fulfillment in her work.

One of Gonzalez’s proudest and most profound moments came during her deployment to Hurricane Beryl. As a member of the public affairs team, she was tasked with capturing the stories of affected residents. She joined a disaster response team delivering meals and supplies to a mobile home community in Clute, Texas. While speaking with residents, she learned that after more than 14 days without power or water, the Red Cross was the first organization to arrive and offer assistance.

Gonzalez listened compassionately to residents as they processed their experiences and gathered their needs to ensure the Red Cross could return and support them on their path to recovery.

During those moments, Gonzalez’s dedication to helping others grew stronger, aiming to improve how Hispanic communities received Red Cross information and services. This made assistance more accessible and meaningful to residents during a critical time.

Gonzalez’s LinkedIn reads, “Estamos Aquí.” Translated, it means, “We’re Here.” Those two words carry a powerful message that reflects Gonzalez’s commitment to her community and to the American Red Cross, which shows up every day to relieve suffering in the face of emergencies.

“Ironically, as a storyteller, I often struggle to find the words to describe what it’s like to walk through the worst moment of someone’s life with them. But it’s in the smiles we exchange, the hugs I get to give and the trust they place in me to tell their stories that make it all worth it. They’re the ones who change my life.”