Danielle Zaragoza

Danielle Zaragoza joined ESG in 2024 as an Associate Director supporting the organization’s postsecondary attainment work. With deep expertise in state policy development, she leverages data-informed decision-making to advise on the design and implementation of statewide policies and initiatives. Her work spans the full education-to-workforce landscape, where she builds consensus among diverse stakeholders—including lawmakers, state agencies, and accreditors. At ESG, she has led strategic planning for state agencies and supported regional coalitions to modernize credit mobility and credit for prior learning policies, ensuring smoother pathways and greater economic value for all students.

Prior to joining ESG, Danielle was a member of the Educate Texas policy and advocacy team, where she led the development of policy priorities and managed advocacy strategies to advance the organization’s higher education and workforce policy initiatives. In this role, she worked closely with organizations and stakeholders to influence policy at the state, and institutional levels and supported major advocacy efforts through publications, presentations, and public testimony.

Before her time at Educate Texas, Danielle worked as an Associate at HCM Strategists. Her earlier career includes roles working for members of the Texas House of Representatives and the Texas Senate.

Danielle holds a Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy from the University of Texas at Austin and a Bachelor of Art in Philosophy, with a minor in English, from Texas Tech University.

Why are you in this work?

Education changed my family’s trajectory, and I believe everyone deserves that same opportunity. I work to ensure higher education remains a bridge to progress for individuals and society alike.

Why ESG?

I’m drawn to ESG because of the clear commitment to advancing equitable access to education and workforce pathways, and measuring our success via impact to students and communities. The organization’s mission to increase postsecondary attainment, especially for underrepresented groups, aligns with my personal values. ESG’s focus on creating impactful, data-driven solutions that bridge education and economic mobility resonates with my desire to drive systemic change and help more learners succeed.