Field Director with Base Builder
My professional background spans political campaign leadership, community outreach, homelessness services, and stakeholder engagement. Throughout my career, I have worked to connect individuals, organizations, and communities with the resources, opportunities, and representation they deserve. I am particularly drawn to the mission of empowering city leadership to advance inclusive policies and meaningful solutions for displaced populations, and receiving communities.
Most recently, I served as a Field Director with Base Builder, supporting political organizing efforts in Pennsylvania. In this capacity, I coordinated field operations, supported recruitment and outreach initiatives, managed canvassing activities, and navigated the evolving priorities of a fast-paced political environment. This experience strengthened my ability to mobilize diverse groups, communicate across organizational levels, manage competing priorities, and maintain operational effectiveness under demanding deadlines.
My experience in New York City’s social services sector has further shaped my understanding of the challenges facing vulnerable and underserved populations. Through my work with Bowery Residents’ Committee, the Department of Homeless Services’ PATH Family Intake Center, and BronxCare Health System, I have engaged directly with individuals and families navigating housing instability, healthcare barriers, and complex public service systems. These roles required compassionate communication, crisis intervention, interagency coordination, accurate documentation, and the ability to build trust across diverse communities.
What distinguishes my professional perspective is the combination of grassroots political organizing and direct human services experience. I understand that successful coalitions require more than shared objectives; they depend on consistent engagement, accountability, thoughtful coordination, and the ability to translate collective priorities into measurable action. I bring a practical understanding of how policy decisions affect communities and why meaningful collaboration between government leadership, service providers, and community stakeholders is essential.
I am especially interested in contributing to missions that involve engagement initiatives, strategic partnerships, and convening that facilitate knowledge sharing and collaborative problem-solving. My experience coordinating teams, managing outreach operations, communicating with stakeholders, and adapting to changing political and organizational circumstances provides a strong foundation for supporting these efforts. I welcome the opportunity to apply these strengths while expanding my contributions within an international policy and advocacy environment.
I believe effective leadership begins with listening, building trust, recognizing shared priorities, and creating opportunities for people to work toward meaningful outcomes. These principles have guided my work across public service and political organizing, and they closely align with the commitment to collective action and inclusive urban communities. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my professional experience, leadership approach, and commitment to community-centered solutions could contribute further.
Sincerely,
Leslie Mercado