Isabella Diaz

Congressional Intern, Presented by Amgen 

Hometown: New York, New York 

School: American University 

Major: Public Health 

Placement: Office of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez 

Isabella Diaz grew up in Jackson Heights, Queens, New York, surrounded by the strong influence of her mother and extended family. Rooted in a lineage of immigrants and community organizers, she developed a deep appreciation for the resilience and richness of her Indigenous Aymara heritage. From a young age, she celebrated her culture through Bolivian folkloric dance and by volunteering at local fundraisers, helping share traditional cuisine with the community. 

As a student at American University (AU), Isabella has extended her care for family by becoming a part of the AU familia. Through her involvement within United We Dream’s Latinos En Acción, AU’s Center for Student Involvement, and Center for Leadership and Community Engagement, she has helped foster a strong sense of belonging, activism, joy, and empowerment among her fellow peers. One of Isabella’s favorite Latinos En Acción event series is called What’s the Chisme, where she creates and facilitates dialogue on issues impacting the Latine community, helping students have a support system at AU. Isabella is a Public Health Major inspired by the legacy of the Young Lords, a 1960s organization led by powerful women and dedicated to advocating for the health, well-being, and rights of Puerto Ricans. Through her studies, Isabella explores how policies, programming, immigration practices, and law enforcement systems often create barriers for the Latine community, limiting them from accessing healthcare, essential services, and public benefits and ultimately impacting their ability to lead healthy lives and build strong futures. 

Motivated by her Dominican father, community, and work, Isabella aspires to attend law school and study immigration policy and health. As a CHCI Intern, Isabella hopes to understand how policies impact migrant health.