Who is Ivan Sanchez?

Ivan was seven years old when his mother received a fax that read, “Next time you put your kids on the school bus, they are not coming back.” This message arrived to the Sanchez home after Ivan’s mother’s office had already been bombed and his father, a geophysicist, had been kidnapped four times. His mother, a successful and influential attorney, decided it was time to leave Colombia and with her young sons flee to a place where they would be safe, to the land of opportunity. At the time, Ivan thought they were off to enjoy a vacation to the grand USA; however, he noticed his mother crying a lot. Ivan had no idea his life was about to change, forever.

With limited English proficiency, despite her extensive experience and qualifications, Ivan’s mother could not even get a job at Pizza Hut; nonetheless, she persisted. The Sanchez family moved to Texas when his mother was accepted to the University of Texas School of Law. In addition to successfully completing law school, she wrote three books, was member of the Board of Houston Association of Realtors, founded two real estate and mortgage companies (Gold Quest Group) that were recognized among the largest in the industry and created thousands of jobs. 

TRAGEDY

Two months after Ivan graduated high school, his mother lost her battle against cancer. The loss left Ivan in a state of grief and confusion; his mother, his superwoman, was suddenly taken away and he was left to fend for himself in a troublesome environment. This was a defining moment for Ivan. It was a bittersweet wake up call. Bitter, because he lost his mother, yet sweet as he became determined to be half the person his mother was. It was time for him to put aside his youthful ways and begin the journey to fulfill his destiny. And so it all started…

PROGRESS

Ivan threw himself into what he saw as the clearest avenue to success: education. Ivan took various fulltime jobs to pay for college and attended night school. He persevered, determined to escape a troublesome nightmare, in a daring attempt to dream of a different future. His life’s lessons and his mother’s hard-fought example, served as his catalyst to reject the narrative of a troubled and directionless youth. Overcoming adversity fueled Ivan’s desire to serve others, to help them improve their lives, understanding that people are not predestined to live a life of misery and failure. 

LEADERSHIP REALIZATION

Through the high impact experience of attending college and joining extracurricular activities, he came to realize pursuing his political science degree placed him at an advantage in the Student Government Association (SGA). The realization led him to pursue and consequently win election as his university's Student Body President, serving 14,000 constituent students. 

Ivan seized his opportunity and responsibility to work on behalf of those who believed in him and elected him. During his tenure as SGA president, he was innovative and tenacious in his work, securing a $2 million investment from the City of Houston for the university’s parking lot, lobbied federal and state legislatures for pro-education legislation, established a Community Outreach Committee where students now successfully complete more than 10,000 volunteer hours annually, and gave birth to the Walk 2 Vote initiative. Through his leadership, Walk 2 Vote recruited and empowered a team of students who registered over 2,500 students to vote. Additionally, by intertwining pop-culture with vigorous determination and passion, the Walk 2 Vote results were truly unprecedented, as 55% of the university voted, comparing every other university in the Nation at 5-15% (Tuft University Research). Soon thereafter, as the university received national recognition, Ivan received a call from a Member of Congress.

CONGRESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Ivan began receiving dozens of job offers from across the Country; however, he decided to accept the job that would offer the lowest pay, most rigorous work hours, yet would fulfilled his vision and ambition to keep making a positive difference. Ivan took the opportunity to serve the 18th Congressional District of Texas that represents 785,000 constituents. For five years, he represented a Member of Congress at high visibility events, press conferences, and constituent meetings with district stakeholders. In the Congressional District office, Ivan specialized in and resolved thousands of constituent issues involving the State Department, Federal Immigration, Department of Defense, Labor Department, Social Security, and Education. The office’s constant ‘out of comfort zone’ environment challenged him daily, but its philosophy of changing the world through advocacy and relationships cultivated his strength and ability for helping others.

SERVICE BEYOND WORK

Ivan’s leadership opportunities have not only been limited to his professional experiences. Ivan has served on numerous local and international boards and committees, including Target Hunger, the International Parliament of Education, a City of Houston Mayor’s Advisory Board, and Precinct #0567 chair for the Harris County Democratic Party. Additionally, Ivan has been accepted into and participated in four leadership educational programs. Whether in the professional arena or community service environment, Ivan came to realize that the national complexion was changing, as a greater percent of the population was in that demographic group known as Millennials, and of which he is one. Thus, another opportunity to place his experience, knowledge, and skills in service of the greater good beckoned Ivan. 

FOUNDER

Ivan founded Houston Millennials, a 501(c)(3) non-profit that works to reverse stigma and whose mission is to place ambitious millennials into positions of influence, leadership, and economic power in the public and private sectors. In a matter of eight months, he recruited over 3,000 members and shared the organization into seven programs that became vital committees for members: the Business Committee that taught members how to draft official Business Plans; the Membership Committee that drew thousands of young professionals to network; and the Civic Engagement Committee that taught young people to run for office. As he encouraged and helped prepare dozens of young people to run for office, another idea started to pop into his innovative and limitless, passionate mind.

RUNNING FOR U.S. CONGRESS

The seven-year-old boy who boarded a plane for what he thought was a vacation is now a man whose greatest desire is to give back to the land that welcomed him with open arms, and whose life reflects the heart and soul of the American experience. Ivan has known deep loss and grief, which served to motivate him and strengthen his conviction that despite what life throws at you, with hard work and perseverance, obstacles can be overcome. He embraces education as the cornerstone of success, and service as the hallmark of true and authentic leadership. He values relationships, and their importance to share a vision for the common good. He honors diversity and equality, honoring a janitor the same as a CEO. Ivan truly knows that to whom much has been given, much is being asked.

On December 11, 2017, Ivan filed to run for the United States Congress at Texas’ 7th Congressional District. Ivan carries to Congress his experience, knowledge, passion, accomplishments, and his keen sense of hope for all communities—these are the things that set Ivan apart. Ivan is #HoustonStrong and it’s time to bring that spirit, energy, hope, and passion to Washington D.C. As he has helped thousands of people around him, the idea of running for Congress has infused Ivan with the vision that he can help millions of Americans.

HELP Ivan get Elected:

Donate or Volunteer for the cause:

www.VoteIvanSanchez.com/Donation

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www.facebook.com/VoteIvanSanchez