MICHAEL VAZQUÉZ

Director of Community Affairs, Office of Governor Charlier Baker

Age:27

Heritage: Ecuadorian  

 

Michael Vazquez was born in Queens, New York to immigrant parents from Ecuador. Michael was raised in New York City before his family decided to move to Lawrence, MA in search of better opportunities. Michael’s father was and still is a machine operator at an aluminum manufacturing company. Meanwhile, his mother has held jobs from being a textile worker at the former Malden Mills to a home care provider for the elderly. Through his parents’ hard work and sacrifice Michael was able to attend the best schools. He attributes his mother and father as being his most influential supporters.

 

Michael attended the University of New Hampshire initially with the goal of entering the medical field after college. However, he volunteered in several political campaigns while in school. What started off as mere act of volunteerism, nurtured the start of something new. Soon after graduating with a B.S. in Neuroscience and Behavior from UNH, Michael received an offer to work for the newly elected Republican Governor of Massachusetts, Charlie Baker. During this time, Michael was accepted to the Suffolk University Sawyer Business School where he graduated with a Master in Public Administration. With the guidance of his mentors, Michael rose through the ranks of the Baker-Polito Administration, ultimately landing the role of Director of Community Affairs. 

 

Currently Michael is the most senior staff member of Latino heritage in the Governor’s Office where he leads community-government relations for the Baker-Polito Administration. In his role, Michael’s collaboration with the Governor’s Latino Advisory Commission led to Governor Baker filing $24M in the FY20 budget to support priorities and recommendations of Latino communities across the Commonwealth. Michael works in partnership with the Massachusetts Black & Latino Legislative Caucus through regular meetings with the Governor to ensue legislative priorities lead to more safe, equitable and healthy communities throughout the Commonwealth.

 

In the future, Michael hopes to continue his career in public service with a focus on building and enhancing sustainable communities throughout the Commonwealth, and ensuring Latino issues are essential to overall policies and objectives.