Born in Los Angeles, California, Lorraine Pulido moved to San Antonio with her family at the age of 12. She attended Harlandale Middle School and Harlandale High School
and continues to reside on the South Side. She credits her sense of humor, lifelong friendships, and strong foundation of family and faith as guiding influences in her life.
Pulido was encouraged to pursue leadership by mentors who recognized how her life experience and professional background could contribute to informed, community- centered decision-making. She has served on the Alamo Colleges Board of Trustees in District 4 since December 2020 and has been an appointee to the Brooks Board of Directors since 2017, where she became the organization’s first female chair. In both roles, her work focuses on strengthening pathways to high-demand careers critical to San Antonio’s economic development.
“Giving back to the community that raised me inspires my service,” said Pulido. “I want to help create more opportunities for our future workforce. ”One challenge Pulido has overcome—common among many women—is a sense of unworthiness. She credits mentors from diverse backgrounds who modeled transformational leadership and believed in her potential. As a result, she is committed to empowering others to achieve their goals.
Pulido is a strong advocate for all students, particularly first-generation and parenting students. Through community engagement, she has gained insight into the resilience and determination required to pursue higher education.
“My heart is especially full of joy when our Alamo Colleges students cross the stage to receive their diplomas,” she said. “Each graduate represents a family whose future is positively impacted by that success.”
In addition to her board service, Pulido teaches part-time at Texas A&M University–San Antonio and maintains a public-facing Alamo Colleges Trustee Facebook page to share updates on programs, initiatives, and board decisions. She also remains active in the arts, participating for more than a decade in the Society of Professional Journalists’ annual The Gridiron comedy show to raise scholarship funds, and previously performing for five years in the local holiday production Las Nuevas Tamaleras.
“Serving my community is a privilege I do not take for granted,” Pulido said. “I plan to continue giving back for the rest of my life.”
Her advice to others is simple: “Go for it. Your experience and passion for service can make a meaningful difference in our community.”
