About me
Larissa Romero Valenzuela serves as an International Services Specialist at Rice University, where she helps support the university's global community and international engagement efforts. An expert in international relations and economic development, she has spent nearly three decades building partnerships between the United States and Mexico and advancing opportunities for businesses, students, and communities on both sides of the border.
Originally from Mexico, Romero Valenzuela began her career with Bancomext, Mexico's federal export agency, before serving as chief executive officer of her family's business and later as president of her hometown Chamber of Commerce. After moving to the United States in 2001, she joined the Mexican Consulate, leading programs focused on business development, education, and cultural outreach. She later served as Political Analyst and Media Liaison at the Mexican Consulate in Phoenix, where she worked closely with elected officials, business leaders, faith organizations, and community advocates.
Returning to Tucson, Romero Valenzuela became Director of International Relations for the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, where she launched innovative cross-border business initiatives that helped the organization earn national recognition as Hispanic Chamber of the Year. Her career has also included work with the Sonora Secretary of Economy, the City of Tucson, the Sonora-Mexico Commission, Native American tribes, and local governments, reflecting her longstanding commitment to regional collaboration and economic development.
