Secretary Delia Garcia | YWCA Women of Excellence
Secretary Delia Garcia
Acting Secretary
Kansas Department of Labor
Raised to face challenges with a plan and faith not fear. Delia returned to Kansas after serving eight years in senior leadership in the national organizations ReflectUS, National Migrant Seasonal Head Start Association, and the National Education Association in Washington, D.C. In 2004, she was elected to the Kansas House of Representatives, where she served six years. She made Kansas history both times by becoming the first Latina woman and the youngest female to serve in the Kansas Legislature in 2004, and again the first Latina woman to serve as a Kansas Cabinet Secretary in 2019. She is utilizing her business, policy, and non-profit community advocacy and leadership expertise to serve and motivate hard working Kansans and their families.
She received her Masters Degree in Political Science, with an emphasis in Public Administration from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas, and her Bachelor of Arts degree from Wichita State University. She is also a graduate of the Harvard University Executive Leadership Program and the Aspen Executive Leadership Institute. She is a charter member of Kappa Delta Chi Service Sorority at Wichita State University. The following are honorable leadership positions she remains connected to and also has co-founded.
National Trainer of Women, Young Adults, and Latinos to Run For Political Office, 2006 - Present
National President Business Advisory Council to National Board of Hispanic Caucus Chairs, 2009-Present
National Board of Directors of PODER PAC by Latinas for Latinas, 2009-Present
National Latina Advisory Council to Emily's List 206-Present
Co-Founder/Advisor Council of the National Latina Young Elected Officials Network of PFAW 2006-Present
Co-Founder/Advisor of the BHCC National Latina State Leadership Summit, 2011-Present
TK: What inspires you?
DELIA: My inspiration is my family, especially the fierce women in my family of business owners to farm workers, including my ancestors who laid a strong foundation for me, and inspired to work hard for my nieces & nephews for them to have a better world!
TK: What advice do you have for others?
DELIA: Be Comfortable With Being Uncomfortable & Go For It!
TK: What is the greatest lesson you have learned on your journey?
DELIA: The greatest lesson I have learned on my journey is to be OPEN TO POSSIBILITIES, BECAUSE WHEN I DO, I LIVE A POWERFUL LIFE I LOVE!
The YWCA is on a mission to empower women at all stages in their careers. Diversity in leadership is particularly vital to our vibrant business community in the Greater Topeka Area.
The YWCA is celebrating 31 years of recognizing Women of Excellence in our community with the theme “Dare to be Powerful.” We dare to be powerful, despite whatever obstacles may present themselves along the way.
“When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.”
- Audre Lorde
