Commencement Speakers

 

Mario Castillo
Council Member, City of Houston - District H

Born and raised in the heart of District H, Mario Castillo models giving back to the community to generate sustainable improvement. Applying lessons learned from his grandfather who immigrated to the United States and established Castillo’s Realty, a small business that thrived for 47 years in Houston’s Near Northside neighborhood, Council Member Castillo employs his passion for community service to improving public health and quality of life for all Houstonians.

After graduating from the High School for Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice, Council Member Castillo continued his academic pursuits at Texas A&M University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in Political Science and a master's degree in Public Health. He then embarked on his career in public service, beginning with organizing communities to facilitate health insurance enrollment through the Affordable Care Act. In 2016, he assumed the role of District H Chief of Staff, gaining valuable insights into the intricacies of local government and the challenges faced by residents. He subsequently applied this knowledge to translate complex health data into actionable public health information through his work with the Houston Health Department.

Council Member Castillo was proud to be recognized as the Larry Banagaris Leadership Team Member of the Year in 2022 for his service on the Houston LGBTQ Political Caucus Board. He currently serves as Executive Director of Your Houston, a grassroots non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life throughout Houston.

 

Joaquin Martinez
Council Member, City of Houston - District I

Born and raised in the East End of Houston, Joaquin Martinez, one of 12 kids, has vivid memories of community-based initiatives such as Navidad en el Barrio, local school supply drives, and food distributions that lightened the burden for his large family. His father’s investment in other children as a little league baseball coach further instilled in him the importance of teamwork, leadership, and selfless service. Today, he carries out his appreciation for family, community, and service through both his work as Council Member for District I and through active volunteerism, often serving the same organizations that supported his community and aided his family during his childhood.

A proud UHD alumnus, embodying Gator spirit and grit, Council Member Martinez has dedicated his career to public service, expanding his reach to directly impact the quality of life for all Houstonians. In addition to collaborating with non-profit agencies such as BakerRipley, he has served on the boards of Arte Publico Press and the Tejano Center for Community Concerns, empowering residents through sustained networks of support and emphasizing the power of literacy and the arts. Through his work as Youth Development Manager for Neighborhood Centers, Inc., he led innovative solutions to address the nuanced needs of our city’s youth.

With over a decade of experience in public service, Council Member Martinez is an expert in team building and has a knack for pulling together individuals committed to serving others. As a public servant, he meets the people at their point of need and works to ensure responsible use of tax dollars, efficient city services, improved housing conditions and public safety, accessible resources, and economic development opportunities.

 Today, Council Member Martinez serves as the Chair of the Council Committee on Ethics and Governance, Alternate on HGAC’s Transportation Council, as well as the Houston First Corporation Board of Directors.