Iris immigrated to Mount Vernon from Honduras in 1994. She and her husband Alexis have lived here ever since, where they raised their daughter Alejandra, a graduate of Mount Vernon School District, who is currently pursuing a law degree.
Iris has always been involved in the community; first as a volunteer in the Police Department’s domestic violence unit, then with Sea Mar Community Health Centers, DSHS, Skagit Valley Hospital and the Friendship House.
Iris has a bachelor’s degree in Humanities and Education from the National Autonomous University of Honduras. She has also taken courses at Skagit Valley College.
She currently works for the Mount Vernon School District as the Migrant Program Educator and is also a member of the Washington State Migrant Education Advisory Committee (SAC). Iris represents Ward 1 as a City Council Member for the city of Mount Vernon. Iris also helps families as a liaison at Community Action of Skagit County and works as a nursing assistant with Sunrise Services. Iris currently serves as a board member of Skagit County Child and Family Consortium, and Skagit Immigrant Rights Council, she is also a member of Community Action’s Latino Advisory Committee.
Iris believes in giving everyone a voice and helping them achieve their potential. Iris wants to be an inspiration for the whole community, especially our youth, who will become our next leaders.
Iris joined the Communities In Schools of Whatcom-Skagit Board of Directors in April of 2021. Iris says “everything is related to what CIS does in the community, and it is very beneficial to have this program and network available for families and students.” She is excited to continue working with and for families in Skagit County, the community she calls her home.