Meet Diana Perez

I never imagined myself running for office and now I believe it’s what I am supposed to do.

My leadership has been recognized in the following ways:

  • Vice Chair of Ending Community Homeless Organization, Clark County

  • Community Action Advisory Board Member, Clark County

  • Elder Justice Center Executive Board member, Clark County

  • National League of Cities member

  • Received USDA Secretary's Honor Award for Excellence - Dedication Beyond Measure: Celebrating Extraordinary Commitment to Serving the American People

  • Appointed by Governor Jay Inslee to serve as a Commissioner for Washington State Parks and Recreation.

  • Featured in “Founding Mothers: Portraits of Progress” Clark County Historical Museum.

  • Honored with Dr. Anita Del Rio Award for Latina Leadership and Women’s Advocacy from the National President of League of United Latin American Citizens.

  • Appointed by former Mayor of Vancouver Tim Leavitt to serve on Stronger Vancouver, to make certain our tax codes are in alignment with the values of our city.

  • Awarded the BRAVO Community Award by the Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce.

  • Recipient of YWCA Clark County Val Joshua Racial Justice Award.

  • Nominee for Washington State University Vancouver’s ‘Distinguished Woman of the Year’.

  • Awarded the Upstream Award by Hope Heart Institute for volunteer work to advance policy, education, services and community awareness regarding heart-healthy lifestyles.

  • Board member of Clark County Volunteer Lawyers Program, collaborated efforts to hold a law clinic that creates a safe space specifically for the underserved community in Clark County.

Diana wearing protective clothing and helmet stands in a wooded area with smoke visible, holding a firefighting tool.
Diana Perez smiling wearing glasses, a black blazer, and a coral shirt against a blue background.

“

Having the honor of serving on the Vancouver City Council, I am committed to continuing my role in leading this great city with purpose and intention, ensuring that every resident benefits and has an opportunity to reach their fullest potential.

Together, we can build on our shared vision—one that is both powerful and inclusive—to create a brighter future for all.

Woman standing next to a "Women of Distinction" banner displaying inspirational words at Washington State University Vancouver.
Diana and another woman in yellow fireproof suits wearing helmets and sunglasses, smiling outdoors.
Diana Perez seated at a table with a green tablecloth, holding a microphone. There are several documents, a cup, and a nameplate on the table. An American flag is visible in the background.

My Story.

I was raised in the Chihuahuan desert of El Paso, TX where my parents instilled a hard-working ethic in me. My father, a union member, and my mother, a nurse, worked long days to provide for my brother, sister, and me. While my parents worked long days I played outdoors after school and enjoyed playing my violin. I am proud to be a first-generation graduate of Texas Tech University where I obtained my Bachelor of Science degree, and Oregon State University with my Master of Science degree. I obtained a graduate certificate from Cornell University in Executive Women in Leadership.

I moved to our beautiful Pacific Northwest to start my professional career as a wildlife biologist for the Forest Service working to conserve and protect our land, water, and natural resources for the public. One of my unique experiences was fighting wildfires in Southern Oregon. In 2000, I decided to establish my family’s roots in Vancouver, and began to volunteer my time as a community advocate.

By 2006, I was applying my professional skills working in public service to build and lead the development of my neighborhood’s action plan in East Old Evergreen Highway (Columbia River) Neighborhood Association.

Since then, my commitment to our community has only grown. As I became more involved I saw more opportunities to apply the experience and skills I have to keep making a difference in my community. I founded our area’s local council of League of United Latin American Citizens because members of our community needed support. The more I got involved, I started noticing even more issues like our housing affordability crisis. Through my community work, I realized the impact of these issues was being felt everywhere, not just in one community or in one part of town. Vancouver was, and is, facing an uphill battle as a whole.

Which brings me to today. After decades of working for the public and volunteering my time in bringing together communities, and asking tougher questions and becoming bolder — I realized I had to step up for ALL of the people in Vancouver. When people need something done they come to me. And that’s why I heeded the call of my community. To run for office. For the people.