Ileana Ros-Lehtinen

A native of Cuba, former U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) served for almost three decades as a member of Congress representing diverse areas in South Florida. Ms. Ros-Lehtinen was the Chairwoman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). In these roles, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen led on pressing foreign policy issues, including championing the advancement of freedom and democracy for all, fighting Islamist extremism; supporting free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea; and imposing sanctions on human rights violators in Venezuela. Ms. Ros-Lehtinen’s record over nearly four decades of public service include fighting against tyranny and oppression, particularly in her native homeland of Cuba, as well as working diligently to support and strengthen the U.S. – Israel strategic partnership.

Ms. Ros-Lehtinen served on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and was a member of the CIA Subcommittee and the National Security Agency and Cybersecurity Subcommittee.

A strong proponent of education, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen holds multiple education degrees, including a doctorate from the University of Miami, master’s and bachelor’s degrees from Florida International University, and an Associate’s degree from Miami Dade College. Ms. Ros-Lehtinen began her career as a Florida certified teacher, and then founded, and served as the principal of a private bilingual elementary school.

Ms. Ros-Lehtinen was the first Hispanic woman elected to Congress, as well as to the State of Florida House of Representatives and Senate. She is married to Dexter Lehtinen, former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida and a decorated Vietnam combat veteran.