Sonia Reyes

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Sonia Reyes serves as Executive Director of the Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs, which advises the Governor, Minnesota Legislature, and state agencies on issues affecting Latino communities. She brings more than 24 years of experience in public service, community engagement, nonprofit leadership, and work with Latino and immigrant communities.

Originally from El Salvador, Sonia came to the United States on her own as a teenager. Her experiences as an immigrant and formerly undocumented queer Latina inform her commitment to ensuring that communities are heard and represented in government decisions.

Before joining the Council, Sonia spent nearly a decade leading the Iowa Office and Commission of Latino Affairs. She built statewide partnerships, connected communities with government, and led initiatives including Iowa Latino Day on the Hill, the Iowa Latino College Access Network, the Latino Education Summit, and the Iowa Latino Hall of Fame.

Earlier in her career, Sonia worked in education, behavioral health, child welfare, early childhood and family support, and advocacy for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. She also led programs serving migrant and seasonal farmworkers across multiple states. Throughout her career, she has worked with LGBTQ communities and advocated for civil and human rights. Her experience working directly with families and communities informs her approach to policy and public service.

Sonia has served on boards, commissions, coalitions, and advisory groups focused on civil and human rights, education, and immigrant and refugee communities. She is an experienced facilitator and trainer on culturally responsive engagement, equity, and language access.

Sonia holds a bachelor’s degree in Intercultural Communication Studies from Simpson College and is pursuing an MBA in Marketing. She is bilingual in English and Spanish.