About Marisela “MJ” Jimenez, Candidate for Representative of Texas House District 150
Bio
Marisela Jimenez was born in Mexico. At the age of nine, she spent her time going to elementary school and working at her uncle’s retail store. In 1992, she migrated to the United States. Marisela enrolled in school where she experienced culture shock, language barriers, and socioeconomic inequality. She completed her high school education, overcoming the statistical likelihood of dropping out, having a child out of wedlock, and not pursuing college. For Marisela, the prediction seemed incorrect. She joined her school’s orchestra to play the violin and the cross-country running team to compete with other schools. She withdrew from the bilingual school program and fully immersed herself in English classes, driven by a sense of urgency to communicate with her new friends who did not speak Spanish. Upon graduating from high school, Marisela did not pursue college right away. Instead, she took jobs at a gas station and two retail stores. Despite her desire to attend college, she lacked the necessary support system at that time.
Marisela believed she could achieve the ‘American Dream’ by following in the footsteps of hardworking, ethical, and visionary leaders. For Marisela, speaking English was a crucial key to overcoming barriers. She recruited a group of other hard-working immigrants and dedicated her time to teach them English, help them write their resumes, prepare for interviews, negotiate pay and benefits. She understood that mastering English and familiarizing herself with U.S. culture and laws would make it easier to thrive and succeed as an immigrant.
In 2001, Marisela registered at her local Rock Valley Community College in Illinois, attending part-time evening classes while maintaining a full-time job. In 2004, she transferred to Framingham State University in Massachusetts to continue her education and obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Corporate Communication. Shortly after enrolling as a full-time college student, Marisela was named the President of the school’s Human Rights Club. She coordinated and spearheaded human rights events that attracted the participation of hundreds of students. Simultaneously, Marisela was selected to mentor a Brazilian high school student who was experiencing adversity. Marisela graduated in 2006, earning a spot in ‘Who’s Who in Colleges and Universities,’ consistently made the Dean’s List, and received additional awards and recognitions. In 2005, Marisela’s swearing-in as a U.S. citizen in Boston marked an equally significant milestone. She meticulously studied the laws, grasped the fair immigration process, met all the requirements, and confidently took The Oath of Allegiance.
Marisela completed a nine-month internship in Business and Human Resources and was soon recruited by a global corporation. To work in management, she received sophisticated training, mentoring, and the support she needed to grow professionally. In 2007 she moved to Hawai’i, where she worked in government under the leadership of high-ranking military leaders. In 2008, while working full-time, Marisela pursued her Master’s Degree in Management and Public Administration. She attended nationwide conferences, engaged in scientific research with leaders from the Pentagon, and worked with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, University of Hawai’i Manoa, the Office of the Hawai’i Attorney General, the Honolulu Liquor Commission, Honolulu Police Department, military leaders, non-profit organizations, and public and private schools. In these positions, Marisela contributed to the development of a program for the military and the public designed to reduce the harmful risks and effects of alcohol consumption.
In 2011, Marisela chose to pursue her PhD in Management and Organizational Leadership to enhance her abilities and knowledge in leading organizations at the highest level. During this period, she relocated from Hawai’i to New Mexico, where she took on the role of Regional Manager for a private firm, overseeing hundreds of employees, clients, and partners. In her position, Marisela overhauled the organization’s internal framework, formulated communication strategies, and employee training programs. In under three years, she succeeded in aligning the workforce with consistent full-time schedules, equitable wages, comprehensive benefits, and incentive programs. Marisela effectively decreased employee turnover, dissatisfaction, and absenteeism.
In 2016, Marisela successfully earned her PhD after defending her dissertation entitled “A Quantitative Study: The Relationship Between Managers’ Emotional Intelligence Awareness, Demographics, and Leadership Styles.”
Dr. Jimenez has collaborated with international authors to publish their research on the aftermath of the global Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. Her contributing chapter is titled, “Impact of Artificial Intelligence as Part of an Organization’s Diversity.” Additionally, Dr. Jimenez has taught at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Ana G. Mendez University, and Dallas Community College. Dr. Jimenez has continually enhanced her expertise by acquiring certifications in Emotional Intelligence, Global Talent Management, Project Management, Psychometrics in Personality, and Ethics in Human Subjects Research. Dr. Jimenez holds the conviction that the prosperity of both private and public organizations stems from the presence of pertinent and impactful leadership, the pursuit of innovation and investment, a culture of continuous learning, and an openness to change, all while fostering equity, diversity, inclusion, and thoughtful succession planning.
Dr. Jimenez combines her business acumen and human resources talent management expertise to foster strategic organizational development and transformation in an ever-evolving market landscape. Throughout the years, she has gained recognition for her ability to mitigate and resolve issues pertaining to business performance and human capital. She assists organizations in enhancing work production and team contributions, utilizes appropriate technologies, and analyzes data to guide decision-making processes.
Dr. Jimenez resided and worked in Irving/Dallas since 2013. She relocated to Spring, TX, in 2020 following her husband’s job transfer to the new ExxonMobil headquarters. Dr. Jimenez quickly engaged with her community, even amid the isolation protocols of the global pandemic. Dr. Jimenez utilized her expertise and experience from her consulting business to create a mentoring program that assists parents facing difficulties, particularly with the daunting challenge of educating their children through online platforms. Dr. Jimenez observed that the business community was significantly affected due to a lack of support from local and state leaders, prompting her to investigate resources that could assist families and businesses.
Despite her achievements, Dr. Jimenez emphasizes the importance of collective intelligence among leaders and organizations to enhance resource accessibility for local families and businesses. On December 11, 2023, she accepted the invitation to run for Texas House District 150 as State Representative. Since then, Dr. Jimenez has spearheaded various events and initiatives to support the business community through partnerships with local, state, and federal agencies dedicated to assisting small businesses. She has persistently advanced her efforts to aid students and young people by providing various opportunities, programs, and initiatives. Dr. Jimenez prioritizes 21st-century relevant education, access to resources, and sustainable careers for youth graduating from high school, college, or serving in the military, recognizing that they will be competing in a constantly changing global economy. In 2023, Dr. Jimenez launched AbrirUp, a mission-driven initiative designed to help youth obtain gainful employment while disrupting poverty levels.
Dr. Jimenez is dedicated to championing Women’s Reproductive Rights, advocating for Fair Immigration Policies, and providing continuous support for local businesses. She understands that for families and local businesses to flourish, effective leadership is crucial in crafting, executing, and overseeing the appropriate policies, programs, and investments. For more details, reference her Ballotpedia.
On a personal note, Dr. Marisela Jimenez is happily married to her husband, who has served in the U.S. Coast Guard for 20 years and has been employed at ExxonMobil for over 15 years. Together, they enjoy traveling the world, backpacking, hiking, meeting new people, helping their families, giving back to their community, and serving their country, the United States of America.
Having earned a PhD and Master’s in Management and Public Administration, Dr. Marisela Jimenez has a deep understanding of the factors that contribute to economic prosperity. She is dedicated to implementing policies that support sustainable growth.
Her work in education has given her insight into the needs of students and families in the district, ensuring that their voices are heard and their fundamental needs are timely addressed.
Endorsements
Marisela “MJ” Jimenez is proud to be endorsed by The Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation, Area 5 Democrats, Blue Horizon, the Climate Cabinet, Mothers Against Greg Abbott, Common Good, Tejano Democrats of Harris County, and The Houston Chronicle! She has been designated a Mental Health Now Candidate.
