Bert Quintanilla is a development consultant, legislative strategist, and community leader with more than 30 years of experience advancing public policy, strengthening nonprofit systems, and driving cross-sector collaboration in Texas. He began his career in state government as Chief of Staff and Legislative Director for Texas House District 34, where he helped draft, sponsor, and pass more than 100 bills into law. His work contributed to major statewide reforms, including the Children’s Health Insurance Program and medical malpractice reform. Bert currently serves as a Policy Fellow with the Aspen Institute’s Texas Opportunity Youth Network, where he leads state-level advocacy to define Opportunity Youth in Texas code and advance workforce, education, and reengagement policy. He also serves as Policy and Development Director for Education to Employment Partners, where he leads Elevate 361, a regional young adult reengagement center connecting disconnected youth to education, training, and employment pathways. His work bridges local impact and state policy by aligning data, community voice, and legislative strategy to build sustainable systems change. Bert also serves on the Corpus Christi Medical Center Advisory Board, the Nueces County Family Drug Court Advisory Board, and co-chairs the United Corpus Christi Chamber’s Education and Workforce Committee.