Executive Director of Operations and Local Relations

Sara Lujan Donatto serves as the Executive Director of Operations and Local Relations and leads Community Relations in her role. Sara has been a part of the Government and Community Relations team for 11 years, as September 2023. She has nearly 14 years of experience in higher education and 19 years of experience in leadership roles.

In her pivotal role, Sara orchestrates the seamless operations of the department, extending across offices in Houston, Austin, and the Washington DC. She steers the course but charts new territories, ensuring that the department operates like a well-oiled machine. Simultaneously, Sara takes the helm in community relations, leading the charge with a visionary zeal. Her influence reverberates not only within the department's walls but extends outward, creating bridges and fostering relationships that echo the department's commitment to community engagement. Sara's dual mastery of both operational intricacies and the delicate dance of community relations sets her apart as a dynamic force in steering the department toward unparalleled success.

She holds an Executive MBA from Sam Houston State University and serves on multiple boards in the community. Most importantly, Sara considers herself an honorary UHS alumna after a decade of service at the UH System. Her passion for the work done in government and community relations is reflected in her unwavering commitment to the success of our Department, University, and UH System. Sara and her dear husband Adam Donatto, have two amazing boys Alec 7 and Amir 5.

Community Relations Director

Ximena Mondragon is the Community Relations Director at the University of Houston. In this capacity she serves an essential role in fostering and developing reciprocal partnerships with local businesses, educational institutions, civic groups and community stakeholders. As a native Houstonian, Ximena has focused her career in helping uplift communities through advocacy, public policy, government relations and coalition building.

Prior to this role, she was a Policy Analyst for the Government Relations Department at the Houston Independent School District. In this role, she collaborated with local, state, and federal elected officials to bring forth legislation, statutes and regulations that enhance public education opportunities for the students, teachers and staff. Before joining the Houston Independent School District, Ximena served as the Manager of Civic Engagement at BakerRipley. She focused on increasing advocacy and civic engagement in the Northside, East End and Third Ward by coordinating special projects with community partners, government offices and external stakeholders. Ximena was also the former District Director for Texas State Representative Christina Morales, she established the Texas House District 145 office as a trusted resource for the community and key stakeholders. She coordinated food distributions, vaccine clinics, townhalls, job and career fairs and other events that addressed the needs of the communities in Texas House District 145.

Ximena earned a Bachelors Degree in Political Science from St. Mary’s University. She serves on League of Women Voters of Houston Board as a Trustee At Large and as a board member of the IGNITE Executive Board.

Administrative Operations Coordinator

Ilze Benavides has brought over twenty years of experience in her field to the Government and Community Relations Department at the University of Houston. As a Southern New Hampshire Graduate, she holds a Bachelor’s Degree in General Studies with a minor in Child and Adolescent Development. After attaining her BA, Ilze worked with Conroe ISD as an administrative assistant. Ilze has proven to be indispensable in organizing, scheduling, and managing schedules and resources while innovating successful projects to improve office operations.