Harris County Commissioner Lesley Briones Named One of America’s Outstanding Rising Leaders by NewDEAL
Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones has been named to the NewDEAL (Developing Exceptional American Leaders), a highly selective national network that highlights state and local leaders working to address the nation’s most pressing challenges. Briones joins 18 other newly selected officials across the U.S. who are recognized for enacting forward-thinking, data-driven policies in their communities.
NewDEAL’s announcement reflects growing national recognition of Briones’s leadership in public safety, infrastructure development, and disaster preparedness. As a rising voice among Texas county officials, Briones now joins a network of approximately 200 public servants from all 50 states who have been chosen from over 2,200 nominations since NewDEAL’s inception 14 years ago.
National Recognition for Local Impact
Briones’s selection places her in the company of notable alumni such as U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, who was inducted as a mayor, and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, who joined the program as a county commissioner. The organization’s mission is to support leaders who embody pragmatic governance and are committed to expanding opportunity, driving economic development, and promoting good government practices.
“I look forward to sharing lessons with and learning from other leaders who are setting the standard for effective governance,” Briones said. “Now is the time for local leaders to step up and fight for our constituents on a range of issues that impact the safety, economic security, and lasting prosperity of Harris County.”
NewDEAL is a nonprofit organization focused on identifying and supporting exceptional state and local elected officials. Its mission includes promoting scalable, equitable policies that address modern economic and social challenges. Through national convenings and ongoing collaboration, NewDEAL members exchange best practices and work with experts from sectors including philanthropy, academia, and government.
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Advancing Policy and Collaboration
As part of NewDEAL, Commissioner Briones will engage with other elected officials through a series of virtual and in-person gatherings to share policy ideas and governance strategies. She will contribute to working groups formed by NewDEAL’s sister organization, the NewDEAL Forum. These include the Democracy Working Group, AI Task Force, Education Policy Group, Housing Task Force, and Climate Solutions Working Group—platforms where local and state leaders explore innovative solutions to complex issues.
Briones’s initiative “Call 4 Projects: Places 4 People” was a driving factor in her selection. The project promotes safer, more connected neighborhoods through infrastructure improvements made possible by strategic partnerships. She also secured major funding for flood mitigation and domestic violence prevention projects—both key concerns for residents of Harris County and Greater Houston.
Supporting a Diverse Range of Policy Areas
NewDEAL supports elected leaders tackling issues like affordable housing, climate change, reproductive health access, and voting rights. Briones’s inclusion is seen as a reinforcement of the organization's ongoing focus on inclusive economic growth and democratic resilience.
As NewDEAL notes, the leaders they select often go on to hold higher office. In the last six years, 56 members have advanced in their political careers, and more than one in four have moved into higher levels of public service.
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Looking Ahead: Policy Exchange in Atlanta
Briones and more than 45 other NewDEAL Leaders are expected to convene at the upcoming NewDEAL Forum Ideas Summit in Atlanta on May 5–6. The summit aims to foster cross-state collaboration on topics including economic opportunity, infrastructure, and civic innovation.
NewDEAL’s leadership is guided by Honorary Co-Chairs U.S. Senator Chris Coons and Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland. The network continues to grow with the latest class, which includes local and state leaders from cities and states such as Arizona, Florida, Georgia, New York, Ohio, and Texas—where Briones will be joined by Houston City Councilmember Edward Pollard.
Learn more about Commissioner Lesley Briones and NewDEAL at www.newdealleaders.org/leaders.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
