Role:Director of Government Relations

Background:Former Director of the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth, on Capitol Hill. Cortez has on hand experience navigating the congressional culture in child welfare policy as well as lived experience in the Pennsylvania foster care system.

Cortez has worked many years as a professional child welfare advocate in Pennsylvania and consultant in D.C. before enlisting in the United States Air Force to further his education. Living in South Dakota for 3 years and deploying overseas to Qatar was an eye opening experience that assisted in creating a heightened sense of humility and acceptance of self.

Cortez has obtained his education from the Community College of Allegheny County, Community College of the Air Force, PennWest Clarion (formerly Clarion University of PA), and a Masters of Social Work from Howard University in DC where he currently resides.

Hobbies/Passions: “I enjoy creating meals for my ‘framily’ while listening to HBCU Band 5th Quarter Battles: It’s therapeutic”. Cortez enjoys intimate underground R&B and Indie music concerts/festivals as well as Brunch on Sunday’s and a fresh pair of sneakers!

Fun Fact: Cortez is a self-taught barber. He utilized a close friend and Youtube University to hone in on his technique.