Carmen Xiomara Urbina leads with amor, corazón, and conviction, grounded in the lived experience of arriving in the United States as an undocumented immigrant and the proud daughter of two extraordinary parents who never completed elementary school. Though formal education wasn’t available to them, they believed with everything in their hearts that education could open doors—and they passed that belief on to their daughter. Their sacrifices, love, and unshakable values laid the foundation for Carmen Xiomara’s life work: ensuring that every child, especially those furthest from opportunity, has a place in our schools and in our dreams for the
future.

As a bilingual, bicultural leader, Carmen Xiomara brings a deep understanding of the lived experiences of immigrant families and communities of color. Her ability to navigate diverse cultural spaces allows her to foster authentic partnerships and build systems that are both inclusive and responsive.

Today, she serves as Chief of Staff for Eugene School District 4J, where she leads district-wide initiatives focused on equitable and antiracist practices, policy development, community engagement, and operational management. She is recognized for her strategic vision, her skill in managing complex projects, and her steadfast commitment to centering equity and inclusion in everything she does. In this role, she oversees cross-departmental collaboration and ensures that policies and initiatives reflect the needs and hopes of students, staff, and the broader community.

Her career spans more than 35 years across Oregon’s education landscape, including early learning, K-12 districts, ESDs, higher education, and leading culturally specific community-based organizations. Carmen Xiomara also served as the Deputy Director at the Oregon Department of Education, where she helped shape statewide equity and efficiency efforts and guided cross-agency collaboration.

In recognition of her decades of service and impact, Carmen Xiomara was recently honored with the COSA Lau Leadership Award, celebrating leaders who champion equity, inspire innovation, and model courageous leadership in education.

She has led transformative system-wide initiatives, supported the development of culturally sustaining programs, and mentored emerging leaders across the state. Her deep policy expertise is matched by her gifts in listening, motivating, and uniting people around a shared vision of justice and belonging.

Outside of her professional roles, Carmen Xiomara finds her greatest joy spending time with her husband, dancing, and cooking in the kitchen with her three grandchildren—a curious and spirited 6-year-old and lively twin 3-year-olds. Their laughter and energy remind her daily of the power of love, imagination, and the sacred responsibility of building a world where every child is seen, valued, and free to thrive.