Irene grew up in El Paso, Texas and has called Colorado home for many years. Throughout her career, she has worked across state government, nonprofits, and small business, building expertise in budgeting, finance, grants administration, compliance, and organizational operations. Most recently, Irene served as Performance Budgeting Manager for the Colorado Office of State Planning & Budgeting, where she partnered with agencies across the state to support strategic planning, budgeting, and accountability efforts.

Irene's passion for affordable housing began early in her career while working for Habitat for Humanity of Colorado, where she saw firsthand the transformative impact that safe, stable housing can have on individuals and families. That experience sparked a lasting interest in housing and community development and ultimately drew her to Housing Connector. She is excited to return to work focused on housing solutions and to combine her experience in grants, compliance, and operations with Housing Connector's innovative approach to removing barriers to housing and increasing housing stability.

Outside of work, Irene's favorite role is being mom to her two sons, who are her greatest accomplishment and favorite humans. She also enjoys spending time with Nia, her 1 year old Bernedoodle adventure companion. When she's not working, you can often find her hiking in the mountains, playing pickleball, working on a jigsaw puzzle, attending a live music show, or planning her next international adventure. As a proud Mexican-American, Irene enjoys connecting with different cultures and is fluent in both English and Spanish.