Eliesha Perez
VA Youth Facilitation Coordinator
Eliesha Perez (she/her) is the Virginia Middle School Youth Facilitation Coordinator at Asian American LEAD (AALEAD). A proud second-generation Filipina American, Eliesha was born and raised in Texas, where she developed a deep connection to her roots and a passion for service. She graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) in Spring 2023 with a Bachelor of Arts in Global Affairs and a minor in Economics. During her time at UTSA, Eliesha focused her studies on Asia-Pacific politics, immigration, and development, while also becoming actively involved on campus. She served as a family head for the Filipino Student Association and was a coordinator and two-time trip leader for the Alternative Break Program, where she led students in volunteer trips aimed at addressing social issues and supporting underserved communities.
Eliesha’s career aspirations began to take shape through her work as an Americorps summer member at Heart House, an educational nonprofit in Dallas, Texas, where she supported immigrant and refugee students. This experience solidified her commitment to youth
development and educational equity. She further honed her leadership and policy interests as a UT-system Bill Archer Fellow in Washington, D.C., where she spent her final semester of college interning and studying while gaining first hand exposure to the intersection of policy and community needs. These experiences gave Eliesha a strong foundation in both grassroots community work and the broader landscape of social justice.
Most recently, Eliesha spent a year in Thailand as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant. There, she taught conversational English to Matthayom 2 and 5 students in the Isaan region, immersing herself in a new culture while fostering meaningful educational exchanges. Throughout her journey, Eliesha has remained dedicated to her passion for service, education, and youth empowerment. She continues to focus her efforts on creating opportunities for young people to thrive, both within her local community and on a global scale.