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 15 years of experience in higher education and 20 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 and Amir.

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 serves as the Administrative Operations Coordinator and brings over twenty-two years of experience in her field to the Government and Community Relations Department. As a graduate of Southern New Hampshire University, she holds a BA in General Studies with a minor in Child and Adolescent Development. Ilze worked with Conroe ISD as an administrative assistant, where she honed her skills in office management and operational efficiency. Ilze is an integral part of the team, ensuring the smooth and efficient day-to-day operations of the department. With a keen eye for detail and strong organizational skills, she oversees the management of contracts, processes payments, and coordinates scheduling across all three office locations. Her role also includes supporting event planning and execution, ensuring that every detail is in place for successful outcomes. She consistently upholds internal protocols, ensuring compliance with university standards, while also streamlining administrative processes to improve overall operational efficiency.

Community Relations Intern

As a sophomore accounting major at the University of Houston, Bianca Hernandez currently serves as a Senior Community Relations Intern in the Office of Government and Community Relations. In this role, she applies her communications and analytical skills to support the Carnegie Writing application and is focused on enhancing community engagement. Bianca Hernandez is responsible for coordinating logistics for events, gathering sponsorship information, and ensuring effective planning for various community outreach initiatives. Her work helps to strengthen the relationship between the university and the community while contributing to impactful collaborations that align with both the university’s and the office’s goals.

Administrative Assistant Intern

Ella Warren is an intern at the Government and Community Relations department. She is a Sophmore Computer Information Systems major in the Cullen College of Engineering- Technology Division. As a Administrative Assistant Intern, she ensures smooth administrative operations through her work in executing contracts, voucher requisitions, procurement, and other administrative responsibilites under the supervision of Ilze Benavides, the Administrative Operations Coordinator. She is thrilled to have this opportunity and is excited to learn more about administrative operations at the executive level! 

Web and Content Developer Intern

Fariha Adil is an intern at the University of Houston’s Office of Government and Community Relations. She is a freshman in the Computer Science program, working toward her Bachelor of Science degree in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. As a Web and Content Developer Intern, she supports the office’s digital presence by managing web content through Cascade CMS, HTML scripting, and other technical tasks under the supervision of Ximena Mondragon, the Community Relations Director. Fariha is thrilled to gain hands-on experience in web development and community engagement and looks forward to furthering her technical and professional skills in this role.

Community Relations Specialist Student Intern

Dulce María Otero is an intern at the University of Houston’s Office of Government and Community Relations. She is a junior at the Hobby School of Public Affairs, working towards a degree in Public Policy with a minor in Mexican American & Latinx studies. As a Community Relations Intern, she assists as a liaison for external communication, organizes and maintains records of partnerships, manages invoices, and prepares guest lists for community events under the supervision of Ximena Mondragon, the Community Relations Director. Dulce María is excited to have the opportunity to gain insight in community relations and further her professional development skills.

Administrative Assistant Intern

Kimora Kent is an intern at the University of Houston’s Office of Government and Community Relations. She is a freshman at the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, working toward her degree in Economics. As an Administrative Assistant intern, she acts as a point of contact for vendors, administration, and suppliers via email, over the phone, and in person, under the supervision of Ilze Benavides, the Administrative Operations Coordinator. Kimora is thrilled to gain hands-on experience in government relations and administrative operations and looks forward to pursuing her degree with opportunities and support of the Office of Government and Community Relations here at UH!