"Always keep learning and growing. The only way to go is up!" -- Linda Medina-Lopez

After having moved from El Paso to Austin in 2002, Linda found herself in a new city with the potential for new opportunities. Austin quickly rose to the top being named the #1 city for Hispanics and Best City for Young Professionals. It was a challenging time trying to connect with other like minded individuals.  She wanted to grow professionally and give back to the community. After 6 months of brewing and brainstorming she founded the Young Hispanic Professional Association of Austin (YHPAA) in 2006.  YHPAA was born to serve as the principal resource for young Hispanic professionals where they can build a foundation for their professional, community and personal development.

Committed to education and equity, Linda currently serves as the Executive Director for the Pflugerville ISD Education Foundation. The foundation's mission is to make sure every Pflugerville ISD student has the tools and resources they need to reach their full potential. The foundation works with the community to provide opportunities that recognizes student achievement and provides grants for innovative and creative teaching methods that lead to improved student success. She has over 20 years of experience in fund development, program management and public affairs.

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Linda's passion, drive, and leadership have created successful organizations and initiatives for education and in the community. In the middle of a pandemic, Linda served as the 2021 Somos Austin Chair where she led a 40-person host committee toward raising $380,000. Because of these amazing efforts $365,000 will be granted to Central Texas Non-Profits that support the economic security of Hispanic Central Texans. She serves on the Austin Community Foundation's Hispanic Impact Fund Steering Committee and is a co-founder of Latinos in Round Rock. In 2007, she
co-founded the El Paso in Austin Network, www.elpasoinaustin.com, a network that connects and recognizes fellow El Pasoans in Austin to the city that raised them and gave them roots. The network provides scholarships for deserving El Paso seniors coming to Austin to study. She has served on the numerous boards including Leadership Austin, City of Austin Commission for Women, SXSWedu Advisory Council, UTEP Alumni Association - Austin Chapter, Chair of the Concordia University Alumni Association and Chair of I Live Here, I Give Here's See Jane Give event.

She received her Master's in Education with Honors from Concordia University Austin and Bachelor's in Education from the University of Texas at El Paso. She's a proud graduate of Leadership Austin 2009, Hispanic Austin Leadership 2008 and Emerge 2007. Linda enjoys being a mentor to college students and young professionals and motivates them to reach their goals.

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