Phyllis Barajas

Phyllis Barajas is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Conexión, (www.conexion-all.org) created to develop a pipeline of Hispanic/Latino leaders – equipping corporations, nonprofits, and government to effectively address the implications of the nation’s changing demographics – to the mutual benefit of the individuals, their organizations, and society as a whole. One alumnus described Conexión as a “call to action” that HispanicLatinos can make a positive difference for the future of the country. 

Among her other accomplishments Phyllis was appointed in 1994, by President Bill Clinton as deputy assistant secretary in the U.S. Department of Education offices of elementary, secondary and bilingual education.  Before her appointment, she served as the first HispanicLatino assistant dean for human resources at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. Upon her return to Boston, she was the national Director of Human Resources for Houghton Mifflin Publishing prior to launching Conexión.

She is especially proud to serve as a Trustee of Eastern Bank, the largest independent, mutually owned bank in New England, with headquarters in Boston, Massachusetts. She is the first Latina trustee since the Eastern bank’s founding in 1818! And in 2018 she received the Hispanic Heritage Eastern Bank Community Advocacy award.  

Phyllis also is involved with a number of nonprofit boards including the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Trustee and Chair of the BIDMC Community Benefits Committee; the board of directors of the United Way Boston/Merrimac Valley and a Trustee of the Boys and Girls Club; Jobs for the Future, a national foundation focused on education and workforce development.; Cambridge College President’s Advisory Council, and the board of directors of Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM)

Awards and recognition include: 2018 Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción 50th Anniversary Community Leaders; 2017 one of Boston YWs 150 Women of Influence; Girl Scouts of New England 25th Anniversary Leading Women Honoree; Comcast Newsmakers/Massachusetts. 2016 HISPANIC LIFESTYLE Latina of Influence, as part of National Women’s History Month, one of 31 Latina leaders selected from across the U.S. that exemplify Latinas making a difference. Comcast Newsmakers Online, featured in January 2016; The AD Club Rosoff Award 2016 nominee; Get Konnected 8th Anniversary GK100 Boston’s Most Influential People of Color; 2016 SBANE Innovations Award Nominee; one of the El Planeta Powermeter 100 Most Influential” recognition of individuals who have made an impact in the HispanicLatino community, The Women of ALPFA Boston presented Phyllis with their annual Excellence in Contribution to the Latino Community award at their 2011 Summit. 

Born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, the daughter of Mexican immigrants she now resides in Boston, Massachusetts.  She holds a BA in education from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and a Master of Education from Boston University.