Leading Democracy at Home and Abroad: A Conversation with Congressman Joaquin Castro and Ambassador Nathalie Rayes

Join the Institute of Politics for our Food for Thought discussion series featuring Congressman Joaquin Castro (D-TX) in conversation with Ambassador Nathalie Rayes. The conversation will focus on the enduring leadership questions that define public service, democratic governance, and America’s role in the world. 

Drawing on Congressman Castro’s experience on the House Intelligence Committee, his leadership on foreign affairs, and his longstanding work on democracy, immigration, and the Western Hemisphere, the discussion will explore not only the issues shaping our world today, but also the principles, judgment, and leadership required to navigate them.

Breakfast will be served.

About Congressman Joaquin Castro (D, TX-20)

Joaquin has worked hard to seize the opportunities created by the sacrifices of his grandmother and prior generations. After finishing high school a year early, Joaquin left San Antonio to graduate with honors from Stanford University in 1996. He then went on to attend Harvard Law School where he received his Juris Doctorate degree in 2000. Upon his return to San Antonio at 28 years old, Joaquin joined a private law practice and was elected to the Texas Legislature. He served five terms as state representative for District 125. In 2012, Joaquin was elected to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives as representative of Texas' 20th Congressional District, which covers a large portion of San Antonio and Bexar County. Joaquin’s identical twin brother, Julián Castro, was elected in 2013 to his third term as Mayor of San Antonio. On July 28, 2014, Julian Castro was sworn in as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Joaquin’s respect for public service developed at a young age and was deeply influenced by his parents’ involvement in political movements and civic causes. His father, a retired teacher, and his mother, a renowned community activist, instilled in him a deep appreciation for the democratic process and the importance of serving one’s community.

Despite a difficult political environment during his time as state legislator, Joaquin transcended partisan gridlock to help restore millions of dollars in funding to critical health care and education programs. As Vice Chairman of the Higher Education Committee and Democratic Floor Leader in the Texas House, he was also at the forefront in proposing forward-thinking legislative reforms in the areas of mental health, teen pregnancy, and juvenile justice.

Now in his seventh term in the U.S. House of Representatives, Joaquin serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. He was the 2013 Co-President for the House freshman Democrats and the Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus for the 116th Congress.

Outside of the legislative chamber, Joaquin has demonstrated a strong commitment to his community. He created the Trailblazers College Tour, personally raising money to send underprivileged students on college visits, giving them exposure to some of the nation’s best institutions of higher education. He also founded SA READS, San Antonio’s largest literacy campaign and book drive. Over 200,000 books have been distributed to more than 150 schools and shelters across the city. To honor and express gratitude to San Antonio grandparents and other family members raising relatives who aren’t their children, Joaquin created the annual Families Helping Families dinner and awards. He has also taught as a visiting professor of law at St. Mary’s University and as an adjunct professor at Trinity University. Joaquin is active on several boards of education-related, non-profit organizations, including the National College Advising Corps.

Having experienced America’s promise firsthand, Joaquin wants to help build out what he calls the Infrastructure of Opportunity so that future generations will have the same chance to pursue their American Dream. Joaquin believes that just as there is an infrastructure of transportation that helps us get to where we want to go on the road there is an Infrastructure of Opportunity that helps Americans get to where they want to go in life. It is that Infrastructure of Opportunity – great public schools and universities, a sound healthcare system, and good-paying jobs – that enables Americans to pursue their American Dream. Our centuries-long commitment to building and preserving this infrastructure is what distinguishes America among the nations of the world.

As Congressman, Joaquin continues to be a tireless advocate for those who call San Antonio home. From supporting military families to investing in education, Joaquin remains committed to helping mold an Infrastructure of Opportunity for San Antonians and Americans around the country.

About Ambassador Nathalie Rayes, 2026 IOP Fall Fellow

Nathalie Rayes is the former U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Croatia. As ambassador, she strengthened the bilateral relationship between two NATO allies, advanced transatlantic cooperation, promoted economic partnerships, and deepened people-to-people ties.

Previously, she served as Deputy Chief of Staff to Los Angeles Mayor James K. Hahn, leading the Mayor’s international trade, protocol, and international affairs portfolio and helping expand Los Angeles’ global engagement. She later joined Grupo Salinas in the United States as Vice President of Public Affairs and Executive Director of Fundación Azteca America, where she led corporate affairs, strategic partnerships, and philanthropic initiatives while building partnerships across the business, government, and nonprofit sectors.

As President and CEO of Latino Victory, she led one of the nation’s premier organizations dedicated to increasing Latino civic participation and representation in public office. She also founded the American-Mexican Leadership Council, the Venezuelan American Caucus, and the HOPE Binational Fellowship, and helped launch the Aspen Institute’s Latinos and Society Program and Aspen México.

Ambassador Rayes is a Non-Resident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the Robert & Ethel Kennedy Human Rights Center, the Hispanic Federation, and the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs. She is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.