Today we’d like to introduce you to Ana Cortez.
Hi Ana, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I often say my story began in the fields—but it didn’t end there.
I grew up as a migrant farm worker, moving with my family and learning early what sacrifice and hard work looked like. We lived in the ‘colonias’ without hot running water, and at home, Spanish was the only language we spoke. School wasn’t always consistent for me. I was taken out two months early each year to work, and I would return a month late. For many, that might have been the beginning of falling behind—but for me, it became the beginning of determination.
Even as a young girl, I remember thinking, there has to be more than this. I didn’t fully know what “more” looked like yet—but I knew I wanted a different path.
That belief carried me through every obstacle. I graduated in the top 10% of my class with honors and went on to attend the University an accepted in their honors course. But life didn’t slow down for me—I became a single mother while pursuing my education. That moment could have easily been labeled a setback. Instead, it became my reason. My motivation shifted from just building a future for myself to breaking cycles for my child.
At 21 years old, as a single mom, I bought my first home. It wasn’t just a milestone—it was a statement. At 23, I started my healthcare consulting company, stepping into entrepreneurship before I had all the answers, but with the confidence that I would figure it out.
Later, I married into a blended family, and together we continued building—not just for ourselves, but for our community. I had the opportunity to open the first coffee shop in Manor and help bring the first medical towers to the town. For me, success has never just been personal—it’s always been about impact.
That same passion led me into public service. I became the first Latina and the youngest person elected to serve as a school board trustee in Manor ISD. Sitting in that seat was deeply personal for me. I thought about the little girl who struggled to stay in school because of circumstances beyond her control—and I knew I was exactly where I was meant to be.
Since then, I’ve had the honor of serving in leadership roles at the state and national level, including as President of the Mexican American School Boards Association and as a board member of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials. Today, I serve as President of Manor ISD and continue advocating for students and families who deserve access, opportunity, and someone who understands their story.
I also am a founding member of the Manor School House Foundation to give back directly to the community that shaped me. Along the way, I’ve been humbled to receive recognition like being named one of the Fabulous 5 of Austin and being honored as a Woman of Distinction across Texas. I even stepped out of my comfort zone to participate in Renaissance Dancing with the Stars—because growth doesn’t stop when you reach a milestone.
In 2020, I expanded into real estate, continuing to serve families and businesses in new ways, always with the same mission: to help others build stability, opportunity, and legacy.
But if there’s one thing that has defined my journey, it’s this—every time someone told me I couldn’t do something, I responded with one simple mindset:
“Watch me can’t.”
That phrase isn’t about proving others wrong—it’s about proving to yourself what’s possible.
Today, when I reflect on my journey—from the fields, to the classroom, to the boardroom—I carry every part of my story with me. I am proud of where I come from, because it gave me the strength to become who I am.
And if my story means anything, I hope it serves as a reminder that where you start does not define where you can go.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My life has been full of obstacles—but I’ve never seen them as excuses.
I grew up as a migrant farm worker in the colonias without basic resources, and my education was constantly disrupted—I was pulled out of school months at a time. On top of that, I was navigating an English-speaking system while only speaking Spanish at home. From early on, I had to work twice as hard just to keep up.
Becoming a single mother while pursuing my education was one of my biggest challenges—but also my turning point. There is no manual for balancing school, motherhood, and survival all at once. There were moments of exhaustion, doubt, and uncertainty. I didn’t have the luxury of slowing down. That responsibility became my fuel.
As a young Latina entrepreneur, I often walked into rooms where I wasn’t expected, wasn’t fully welcomed, or wasn’t taken seriously. Access to resources, networks, and capital wasn’t always readily available, so I had to learn quickly, adapt, and build my own path. Running a business while raising a family – and later blending families – came with its own set of pressures. Balancing personal, responsibilities with professional growth is never easy, and there sacrifices along the way that people don’t always see. I had to prove myself again and again—without always having access to the same resources or networks.
And when I stepped into leadership as the first Latina and youngest elected trustee, the pressure only grew. There were expectations, criticism, and moments of doubt—but I never let that shake my purpose. I carried not only my responsibilities, but also the weight of representation. There were high expectations, scrutiny, and at times, opposition. Being in leadership means making difficult decisions, and not everyone will agree with you- but I had to stay grounded in my purpose and who I was serving.
The biggest challenge? Being told “you can’t”—in different ways, at different stages of my life.
But every time I heard that, my response was simple:
Watch me can’t.
Every obstacle didn’t stop me—it built me.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
At my core, I’m a builder—of businesses, of opportunities, and of people.
I’m the President & CEO of my healthcare and business consulting firm, where I help organizations grow and navigate complex systems, and I’ve expanded my work into real estate as a residential and commercial consultant. That shift really came during the pandemic, when even doctors couldn’t see patients. Instead of standing still, I pivoted—earned my license in just a few weeks—and found new ways to continue serving families and businesses when they needed it most.
Over the years, I’ve also been part of transformational projects in my community. I opened the first coffee shop in Manor, helped bring the first medical towers to the city, and founded both the Manor Arts Council and the Manor School House Foundation. Those milestones aren’t just business achievements—they represent access, growth, and investment in a community I deeply believe in.
What I’m most proud of is that none of this came from easy circumstances. I bought my first home as a single mom at 21 and started my company at 23, when the odds were stacked against me. I’ve built everything from the ground up—and that journey has become part of my brand.
People often say, “Con Ana Se Gana”—with Ana, you win. That wasn’t something I created—it’s something the community gave me. To me, it represents trust. It means that when I show up, I’m going to find a way to create results, open doors, and bring others along with me.
I’ve also had the honor of serving beyond my local community, including sitting on a national board through the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials, where I was elected by leaders from across the country. I’ve worked to elevate Latino leadership at the state level as well, helping grow and strengthen organizations like the Mexican American School Boards Association into a broader, more impactful force.
What sets me apart is simple—I don’t wait for opportunities, I build them. And I don’t believe in success that only benefits one person. Everything I do is rooted in service, in representation, and in creating pathways for others who may not see themselves in those spaces yet.
If there’s one thing I want readers to know about me, it’s this: I come from humble beginnings, but I never let that define my limits. I’ve made the impossible possible—not just for myself, but so others can see that it can be done.
And I’m just getting started.
Any big plans?
My future plans are really an extension of the work I’ve already committed my life to—service, impact, and building pathways for others.
I do see myself continuing to grow in public service, including the possibility of serving in a higher elected office. For me, leadership has never been about titles—it’s about where I can make the greatest difference. If there’s an opportunity to serve at a higher level and create meaningful change for more families and communities, I’m open to that path.
At the same time, I’m focused on expanding my business footprint—growing my work in healthcare, real estate consulting, and business development at both the state and national level. I want to continue helping organizations grow, create opportunities, and bring resources into the communities that need them most.
Equally important to me is continuing to show up locally and across the state as a leader and advocate. I believe deeply in representation and in staying connected to the people and communities we serve.
And one of my biggest priorities moving forward is building a pipeline of future leaders. We need to be intentional about developing the next generation—creating opportunities, mentorship, and access for young people in every space, whether that’s education, business, or public service.
At the end of the day, everything I plan to do comes back to impact—how many doors I can help open, and how many others I can bring along the way.
Image Credits
Images credit are TASB (Texas Association of School Boards), MASBA- School board member for Latino Equity and the Seedling Foundation
