Today we’d like to introduce you to Monica Moreno.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Monica. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I moved to Dallas after graduating from Texas Woman’s University in 2007 with a degree in Fashion Merchandising/ Marketing. With an interest in pursuing a career in fashion, I went on several interviews with many companies in the DFW area. Knowing that landing in the right place would take some time, I took what I thought would be a temporary position at a local engineering firm in Dallas. What none of us expected was the great recession of 2008. I went from preparing for interviews to trying to diversify my skillset in a different field. I was fortunate enough to keep employment and learn about many aspects of the engineering world. After five years and a few promotions, I still felt that I needed to be doing something more. I kept applying and going on interviews attempting to make my break into the fashion business, but was rejected more times than I would like to admit.
In 2009 I decided that I would set roots in East Dallas and start serving the community I call home. I volunteered in neighborhood clean-ups, garage sales, silent auctions, home tours, plant sales, etc. During this time, my boyfriend (now husband) would actively participate in local elections. I always had an interest in government, I decided i would be a campaign volunteer for Adam Medrano. Mayor Pro Tem Medrano won his first elections in May of 2013. On election night, he said something to me that resonated with me. He said, “You never forget your first campaign, it’s special” Councilman Medrano was right, it was special, that campaign changed the course of my life when he asked me to join his team as a City Hall staffer. This was something “more” I was searching for.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Absolutely, there are struggles. I had no experience working in government but I knew I was smart and could learn fast. Working for an elected official, no day is the same. Many times I had my day planned and ready to execute and that would be thrown out the window by 9 am.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I work at Dallas City Hall as a City Council Liaison/Policy Advisor to the Mayor Pro Tem Adam Medrano. Councilmen Medrano represents District 2 which covers, East Dallas, Deep Ellum, Farmers Market, Downtown, The Cedars, Victory Park, Medical District, Dallas Love Field, Cedar Springs/Oaklawn and many wonderful, beautiful, diverse neighborhoods in between.
I wear many hats depending on the day but our number one priority is to the residents of District 2. The quality of life of the residents is the most important thing we work on. For some, it means ensuring their trash is collected on time, for others, it’s more complex in nature and requires strategy and implementation. What I believe sets me apart from others is I get to serve the District where I live, I take pride in that. The residents have become like family to me.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
If I could start over I would have listened to my intuition. The more I pursued a career in fashion, the more I was steered towards life in public service. This is my calling.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1500 Marilla St.
Room 5FN Dallas TX 75201 - Phone: 214-670-4048
- Email: [email protected]
- Other: www.dallascityhall.com
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