Senator Brenda Pérez Soto

Senator Brenda Pérez Soto is a leader committed to public education, the integral development of children and youth, and social transformation from within communities. A native of the municipality of Arecibo, she has dedicated her life to service with passion, sensitivity, and a deep sense of civic responsibility. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice with a specialty in Criminal Investigation from the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico, Arecibo campus. As part of her training, she completed her internship in the Criminal Investigation Division (CIC) and subsequently served as a cadet for the Puerto Rico Police. Later, she oriented her career toward education, obtaining a certification in Education and completing a Master of Arts in Education with a specialty in Guidance and Counseling. She also holds a graduate certificate in Administration and Supervision. Her academic preparation is complemented by several teaching certificates granted by the Puerto Rico Department of Education, including School Counselor, Teaching Facilitator, School Principal, and School Superintendent. During her career in the public education system, she served as a Social Studies teacher, school counselor, and teaching facilitator for the School Counseling Program. She was also the regional coordinator for the Educational Summer Program of the Arecibo Regional Educational Office. As a school principal, she led the transformation of the Trina Padilla de Sanz school into a specialized sports school, one of her most emblematic achievements. Subsequently, she held the position of Special Assistant at the Arecibo Regional Educational Office, where she served as Director of Academic Affairs, providing support and supervision to the region’s academic programs. Her commitment to service has also been manifested through her community work. She was a municipal legislator in the Municipality of Arecibo and has been a volunteer at the San Rafael Nursing Home in her community. She is a member of the Civic Ladies of Arecibo group and part of the Progressive Women organization, where she promotes female leadership and active participation in the country’s public affairs. Her career has been recognized with distinctions as an outstanding woman for her leadership and dedication. She is a head of household and mother of two children, who represent her greatest pride and are her driving force to continue growing and striving every day for a more just and supportive Puerto Rico with greater opportunities for all. Currently, as senator and chairwoman of the Committee on Education, Art, and Culture, she works tirelessly to strengthen the educational system, promote the arts as a vehicle for transformation, and guarantee spaces of equity and development for all communities in the country.