Estrella Escobar has forged a distinguished career in public service, higher education and institutional relations, establishing herself as a key figure on the binational border. Most recently, he served as Senior Chief of Staff in the Office of the Mayor of El Paso, Texas, from 2021 until the conclusion of Mayor Oscar Leeser’s term in 2025. During this period, Escobar was the mayor’s principal policy advisor, responsible for coordinating his strategic agenda and liaising with key stakeholders at the local, state, national and international levels – with a special emphasis on ties with Mexico. Under her leadership, she managed relationships with elected officials, department leaders, the business community, and spearheaded the administration’s communications, public relations and crisis management strategies in a city with more than 7,000 employees and a budget in excess of $1 billion.
Prior to joining city government, Estrella Escobar spent nearly two decades at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), an institution recognized as a top-ranked Carnegie research university. In her role as Senior Advisor to the Chancellor and Associate Vice President for External Relations and Communications, Escobar contributed significantly to the executive operation of the university. She oversaw the External Relations Division, leading strategies for communications, institutional branding, government relations and community outreach programs. Her work included coordinating key events such as graduation ceremonies, legislative hearings and official functions. In addition, she represented UTEP in international affairs, serving as protocol officer and responsible for ties with Mexico.
Escobar’s career also includes positions in the government sector and political consulting, having worked in the administration of Mayor Carlos M. Ramirez, as spokesperson and director of special projects for the 34th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, and as a director at the government affairs firm Public Strategies Washington, Inc. in the U.S. capital.
With more than 25 years of experience, Escobar has led initiatives in public policy, strategic communications, higher education, government relations and crisis management. Her focus has always been to connect communities, foster binational dialogue and promote institutional development through key partnerships.
Estrella Escobar has also dedicated part of her time to community service through various boards and advisory committees. She currently serves on the Governing Board of The Hospitals of Providence Transmountain Campus, on the Board of Directors of the Centro Cultural Mexicano Paso del Norte, and on the Communications Advisory Committee of the Texas Bar Foundation. She previously served on the State Bar of Texas Board of Directors, on the Executive Committee of the State Bar of Texas Board, on the Texas Bar Foundation Board of Trustees, on the Children at Risk Regional Advisory Board, and on the U.S.-Mexico Bilateral Forum on Higher Education, Innovation and Research (FOBESSI). She has served as Director of the Texas Lyceum, is a member of the Embassy of Spain Hispanic Leaders Association, the Leadership Texas Alumni Association and is Past President of The Executive Forum and the Club Botón Rojo.
Additional past service includes the City of El Paso’s Museums and Cultural Affairs Advisory Board, and the U.T. System Global Initiatives Advisory Board. Ms. Escobar is a graduate of the International Exchange Program sponsored by Rotary International in Brazil, and the Hispanic Leaders Program sponsored by the Embassy of Spain and the Universidad Internacional Menéndez Pelayo in Santander, Spain. on the Board of Directors of the Centro Cultural Mexicano Paso del Norte, and on the Communications Advisory Committee of the Texas Bar Foundation. She previously served on the State Bar of Texas Board of Directors, on the Executive Committee of the State Bar of Texas Board, on the Texas Bar Foundation Board of Trustees, on the Children at Risk Regional Advisory Board, and on the U.S.-Mexico Bilateral Forum on Higher Education, Innovation and Research (FOBESSI). She has served as Director of the Texas Lyceum, is a member of the Embassy of Spain Hispanic Leaders Association, the Leadership Texas Alumni Association and is Past President of The Executive Forum and the Club Botón Rojo. Additional past service includes the City of El Paso’s Museums and Cultural Affairs Advisory Board, and the U.T. System Global Initiatives Advisory Board. Ms. Escobar is a graduate of the International Exchange Program sponsored by Rotary International in Brazil, and the Hispanic Leaders Program sponsored by the Embassy of Spain and the Universidad Internacional Menéndez Pelayo in Santander, Spain.
An honors graduate in Political Science from the University of Texas at El Paso, where she earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees, Escobar has also been part of prestigious international programs, including the Rotary International Exchange Program in Brazil and the Hispanic Leaders Program of the Embassy of Spain in Santander. Fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, she proudly describes herself as a citizen of the border region, deeply committed to understanding and cooperation between binational communities.
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