Only in America: The Power of Civic Participation and Democracy

Honorable Debbie Mucarsel-Powell ‘92

Debbie Mucarsel-Powell is a nationally recognized leader in public service, higher education, and advocacy with more than two decades of experience driving policy, operational, fundraising, and strategic initiatives across the nonprofit, academic, and government sectors. In 2018, she made history as the first South American-born woman elected to the U.S. Congress, flipping one of the most competitive and diverse majority-minority districts in the country in South Florida.

With the support of organizations such as EMILY's List, Debbie defeated a two-term Republican incumbent in one of the most competitive congressional races in the nation and became the first and only Latina Democrat to represent a congressional district in Florida.

During her time in Congress, Debbie served on the influential House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and House Judiciary Committee, where she focused on infrastructure, climate resilience, immigration, voting rights, and public safety. She championed legislation securing Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans, delivered more than $400 million in humanitarian assistance to the Venezuelan people and neighboring countries, secured critical funding for Everglades restoration, and advanced public health initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic. She also served as Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Women's Task Force, where she launched the first Latina Equal Pay Forum.

Following her time in Congress, Debbie served as Senior Advisor to Giffords and was appointed by President Joe Biden as Special Advisor for the 2022 Summit of the Americas, leading efforts focused on protecting democracy in Latin America and combating disinformation across the hemisphere.

Debbie currently serves at George Washington University, where she first joined as a Fellow and now serves as Executive Director and Faculty Director at the Graduate School of Political Management. In this role, she mentors the next generation of political and public affairs leaders while helping shape innovative programming at one of the nation's premier institutions for political management and advocacy.

A fluent Spanish speaker and sought-after political analyst, Debbie frequently appears on major national and international media outlets, including MSNOW, CNN, Telemundo, and Univision. She lives in Miami with her husband Robert, their three children, and their beloved pets Kali and Ashanti the bunny.