2020 Congressional Staff Awards

Marsha (Catron) Espinosa proudly serves as the Chief of Staff for U.S. Rep. Linda Sánchez. She has previously served as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs under President Obama and spent several years working on Capitol Hill for California members Senator Dianne Feinstein and Reps. Linda Sánchez and Nanette Diaz-Barragan. A proud “Nuevo Mexicana,” Espinosa started her career in communications working for then-Governor Bill Richardson and later on his 2008 presidential campaign. She graduated from New Mexico State University and received a Masters of Arts in Communication Studies from Texas State University. Espinosa is a proud military spouse whose husband, Juan, serves as a Master Gunnery Sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps at the Pentagon.

The most senior Democratic Latino staffer in the U.S. House of Representatives, Mr. Lizárraga serves as Senior Adviser to Speaker Nancy Pelosi. He handles immigration, financial services, housing, and small business policy, and servers as liaison to the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.

In his 30-year career, Mr. Lizárraga has advised Congressional leaders and heads of executive agencies on legislative strategy and policy. He previously worked at the House Financial Services Committee, the Treasury Department, and the Securities and Exchange Commission.The Huffington Post named him one of “The Most Influential Latino Staffers on Capitol Hill.”

Mr. Lizárraga graduated from the University of California, San Diego with high honors, and earned a master’s degree from the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas.

The son of immigrant farm workers, Mr. Lizarraga was raised in San Diego. He lives in Virginia with his wife and five children.