My name is Viviana Salazar. I am a proud first-generation Mexican American, the daughter of two immigrants from Jalisco, Mexico who never had the opportunity to pursue an education. When I arrived in Albert Lea, Minnesota in 1997, I did not speak English. Through determination and the support of my family and community, I became fully bilingual in English and Spanish — a bridge that has helped me serve families across Hennepin County and beyond.
I was the first in my family to earn a college degree, graduating from Mankato State University with a major in Spanish and a minor in Human Resources, all while working and raising my newborn as a single mother. Today, I am continuing that journey by pursuing my Executive MBA at the Carlson School of Management, graduating in spring 2026. My children and family have stood by me every step of the way as we balance school, work, and community together.
A Career Rooted in Service
My commitment to service began at Open Door Health Center, where I started as an intern and later became a key part of the care team. I interpreted for Medical, Dental, and Mental Health patients, ensuring families received culturally respectful, language-accessible care. I also assisted low-income individuals applying for discounted healthcare programs offered through the state and the clinic. These experiences helped me understand how systems impact real people, and why advocacy, access, and dignity are essential in public service.
After Open Door, I spent eight years at University of Minnesota Physicians, growing through multiple positions and continuously taking on new responsibilities. I always looked for ways to make processes more efficient and spoke up when I saw inequities. In my final two-plus years there, I served as a Supervisor managing over 20 direct reports across five medical specialties, all in a fully remote environment. Leading a remote team taught me the importance of communication, trust, and creating a supportive culture where employees feel valued and empowered.
Building Community Through Culture, Safety & Support
In 2023, I founded Nuestra Lucha MN, beginning with a folkloric dance program for youth in North Minneapolis through a Partnership Engagement Fund grant. What started as a cultural program quickly grew into a movement that brought pride, connection, and belonging to families.
Today, Nuestra Lucha MN is committed to engaging Latino families not only in North Minneapolis but across Minnesota. We have traveled to the northern suburbs; Monticello, and to southern cities like Red Wing, where in October 2025 we made history by participating in the first-ever Latino Festival at Red Wing High School.
Our work goes far beyond cultural connection.
We are committed to the safety and security of families including preparedness in case of family separation.
- We distribute DOPA forms and preparedness materials in trusted community spaces.
- We have partnered with churches, food shelves, and Latino-owned businesses to share this information with families.
- We hosted a live Q&A with immigration lawyers, understanding many families felt unsafe attending in person under the current administration.
- The live stream received over 5,000 views, proving how essential this information is.
We also partner with organizations and businesses to offer first-time experiences for families like tent camping, horseback riding, and many more opportunities that build confidence and joy for children and parents alike. And we’re only getting started; more collaborations are on the way.
Nuestra Lucha MN is now a 501(c)(3) organization that reflects the strength of our culture, the resilience of our families, and the belief that community care changes lives.
Rooted in Near North
I purchased my home in the Near North neighborhood in 2011. From the moment I walked through the door, I knew this was where I belonged. I fell in love with the character of the homes, the warmth of the neighbors, and the deep history that lives in every block. This community has shaped me, and it is why I’m committed to serving District 2 with honesty, heart, and determination.
As a neighbor and community member, I’ve spent years showing up for the people who make this place home. I attended countless listening sessions on violence and police reform, especially during the hardest days of COVID. My elders on the block didn’t feel safe going out, so I carried their concerns with me making sure their voices were heard even when they couldn’t be in the room.
Every year, I help organize our neighborhood clean-up day. We walk street by street, picking up the trash left behind through the winter months, doing our part to care for the blocks that have cared so deeply for us. It’s simple work, but it’s the kind of work that keeps a community strong.
My children have grown up here. These streets are their childhood memories. Our neighbors are more than neighbors they’re part of our family. We’ve celebrated together, mourned together, stood together, and believed in one another through every season.
Near North isn’t just where I live. It’s where my roots are planted. It’s where my heart is. And it’s why I continue to fight for a future that honors the people, the history, and the spirit that make this community extraordinary.
Leadership You Can Trust
My leadership is shaped by lived experience, community conversations, and the belief that every voice deserves to be heard. The tough questions I’ve raised have come directly from my neighbors at community listening sessions. We have voiced concerns about youth crime, homelessness, the HERC shutdown, and the Highway 55 transformation. I show up, I listen, and I advocate for action not vague updates.
As Chair of the Minneapolis Civil Rights Commission, I worked to uplift and engage all communities. During our first Civil Rights Essay Contest, 25 students submitted their essays in Spanish. I personally read every single one, making sure their voices were honored and their stories truly heard.
These essays were meant for students to write about their Civil Rights heroes—but what they shared went far beyond what anyone expected. While many children chose sports figures like baseball, soccer, or basketball players, others chose their mothers as their heroes.
Their stories were powerful. They wrote about the long journey to the United States—crossing multiple countries on foot, facing fear, hunger, and exhaustion. They described how their mothers would go days without eating so their children could have a little food, how they carried them when their small legs could no longer keep walking, how they protected them through every hardship along the way. These essays were more than assignments. They were testimonials. They were truths carried in young hearts, spoken with a courage that I will never forget. I pray every day that these families are safe, seen, and supported.
One of those students earned 3rd place in the contest—a moment that filled me with gratitude and reminded me just how deeply representation matters for families who are new to this country. Their stories deserve space. Their experiences deserve dignity. And their resilience continues to inspire my work every single day.
I have also reached families through trusted Spanish-language media.
- On La Raza Radio, I accompanied the Director to inform the Latino community about the new protected classes passed in Minneapolis.
- Through MN Latin Radio, I encouraged families to participate in the caucus process no matter their political party. When we show up, when we collaborate, we build a stronger and more united community.
This is the leadership I bring:
Leadership that listens.
Leadership that communicates.
Leadership that represents.
Leadership rooted in culture, respect, and community.
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