ABOUT ME / SOBRE MÍ
I am an award-winning bilingual communications strategist, journalist, and national advocate with more than 20 years of experience turning deeply personal stories into national conversations and advancing public policy.
I tell stories with compassion. I tell them in English. I tell them in Spanish. I tell them so people cannot look away.
"What starts here changes the world." — The University of Texas at Austin
For more than 20 years, I have been proving what is possible.
Soy estratega de comunicaciones galardonada, periodista y defensora nacional con más de 20 años de experiencia transformando historias profundamente personales en conversaciones nacionales e impulsando cambios en la política pública.
Cuento historias con compasión. Las cuento en inglés. Las cuento en español. Las cuento de una forma que nadie puede ignorar.
“Lo que empieza aquí cambia el mundo.” — Universidad de Texas en Austin
Llevo más de 20 años demostrando lo que es posible.
IN THE MEDIA
At Univision’s Al Punto with Jorge Ramos and Miguel’s mother, Nilsa Centeno, one year after Miguel Carrasquillo’s passing to share Miguel’s legacy and the impact of his story with millions of Spanish-speaking audiences worldwide.
Miguel Carrasquillo was a 35-year-old Puerto Rican chef living with terminal brain cancer who wanted Latino families to hear his painful end-of-life journey. With only 10 days left to live, Miguel had one final wish: to share his story through an exclusive satellite interview with Jorge Ramos from his home in Puerto Rico. I secured that interview, which became his final public appearance before his death.
Miguel’s Story: How One Voice Reached Millions
One year after Miguel’s death, I returned to Univision with his mother, Nilsa Centeno, to share Miguel’s legacy and new research on Latino support for medical aid in dying. The interview helped shift the narrative around end-of-life care among Latinos — transforming a once-taboo subject into an informed conversation about medical aid in dying as a compassionate option for people facing terminal illness.
“One of the most difficult interviews of my career.”
Jorge Ramos
Former Univision anchor and host of Al Punto
69%
of U.S. Hispanics supported medical aid in dying one year after Miguel’s death.
69%
de los hispanos en Estados Unidos apoyaban la ayuda médica para morir
un año después de la muerte de Miguel.
The Legacy of Miguel — Bilingual Storytelling Campaign (2017)
Developed and narrated the English and Spanish versions of this bilingual storytelling campaign featuring Miguel Carrasquillo, his mother Nilsa Centeno, actor Mauricio Ochmann, and journalist Jorge Ramos. Distributed to media as part of a national Latino outreach campaign to amplify Latino voices and advance conversations about end-of-life care.
English: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKJ3xiE3xQQ
Español: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqAgCx36JBw
After Miguel’s death, Jorge Ramos wrote the op-ed “Miguel no quería morir así,” which brought Miguel’s story to millions of Spanish-speaking readers worldwide.
La historia de Miguel: Cómo una voz llegó a millones
Miguel Carrasquillo era un chef puertorriqueño de 35 años que vivía con cáncer cerebral terminal y quería que las familias latinas conocieran su dolorosa experiencia durante sus últimas semanas de vida. Con solo 10 días de vida, Miguel tenía un último deseo: compartir su historia a través de una entrevista exclusiva vía satélite con Jorge Ramos desde su casa en Puerto Rico. Le conseguí esa entrevista, que se convirtió en su última aparición pública antes de morir.
“Una de las entrevistas más difíciles de mi carrera.”
Jorge Ramos
Univision · Al Punto
Un año después de la muerte de Miguel, regresé a Univision con su madre, Nilsa Centeno, para compartir el legado de Miguel y nuevas investigaciones sobre el apoyo de los latinos a la ayuda médica para morir. La entrevista de Jorge Ramos con Miguel continuó generando impacto, ayudando a cambiar la narrativa sobre las opciones al final de la vida entre los latinos, transformando un tema que alguna vez fue tabú en una conversación informada sobre la ayuda médica para morir como una opción compasiva para personas con enfermedades terminales.
El legado de Miguel — Campaña bilingüe de narrativa (2017)
Desarrollé y narré las versiones en inglés y español de esta campaña bilingüe de narrativa, con la participación de Miguel Carrasquillo, su madre Nilsa Centeno, el actor Mauricio Ochmann y el periodista Jorge Ramos. Distribuida a medios como parte de una campaña nacional de alcance latino para amplificar las voces latinas y promover conversaciones sobre el cuidado al final de la vida.
Inglés: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKJ3xiE3xQQ
Español: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqAgCx36JBw
Tras la muerte de Miguel, Jorge Ramos escribió el artículo de opinión “Miguel no quería morir así”, que llevó la historia de Miguel a millones de lectores de habla hispana alrededor del mundo.
Read Miguel’s Full Story & Legacy
Featured stories documenting Miguel Carrasquillo’s advocacy journey and Nilsa Centeno’s continued efforts to carry forward his legacy.
Miguel Carrasquillo — Patient Advocate & Legacy
https://compassionandchoices.org/stories/miguel-carrasquillo/
Nilsa Centeno — Continuing Advocacy
https://compassionandchoices.org/stories/nilsa-centeno/
WHAT LEADERS SAY
Legendary Civil Rights Leader | President, Dolores Huerta Foundation
“She brings a rare gift to social justice and media relations. Her strategic, bilingual media campaign skills heavily influenced the passage of California’s End-of-Life Option Act.”
Former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
“Her work was instrumental in securing an editorial endorsement for the campaign — a direct reflection of her deep-rooted media relationships and strategic instincts."
Former CEO, ImpreMedia & Publisher, La Opinión
"As CEO of ImpreMedia, I personally recruited Patricia to develop and write stories for the Asegúrate Health Campaign… Her contributions helped ensure that this complex, multi-partner campaign effectively reached one of California’s most underserved populations, resulting in record levels of Latino enrollment in the ACA.”
“While working together at March of Dimes, where I served as a board member, Patricia consistently demonstrated an exceptional ability to translate complex and sensitive issues into compelling stories. Her work resonated with people in ways that were meaningful, respectful, and deeply human.”
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Former President & CEO, Compassion & Choices
“One Friday over lunch, I casually mentioned creating a Latino Leadership Council. By the following Tuesday — just four days later — Patricia had assembled an impressive roster of eight high-profile Latino leaders, including Dolores Huerta, alongside prominent doctors, faith leaders, CEOs, and other influential figures.”
former Chairman and CEO, Molina Healthcare
“Patricia is a highly effective communications professional who managed key media relations functions with strong execution and reliability.”
IMPACT & RESULTS
News conference at the California State Capitol launching the End of Life Option Act campaign — I led bilingual communications strategy to build public support for California’s historic medical aid-in-dying law. The Brittany Maynard–inspired effort succeeded after nearly three decades of legislative attempts.
Strategic Communications That Drive Impact
National Media & Storytelling Impact
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Generated $8M+ in earned media value across national English- and Spanish-language media outlets.
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Authored 300+ op-eds and secured top-tier national media placements, shaping conversations on healthcare, equity, and social justice.
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Elevated mission-driven organizations through strategic media initiatives that increased visibility, credibility, and public trust.
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Award-winning journalist with reporting experience at La Opinión, ImpreMedia, The Press-Enterprise, and The Brownsville Herald, bringing newsroom expertise to strategic storytelling.
Policy, Advocacy & Public Affairs Impact
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Led bilingual communications for the Brittany Maynard–inspired campaign in California, generating 12M+ YouTube views and helping drive public support for the End of Life Option Act, signed into law in 2015.
12M+
YouTube views
280%
Supporter growth
8
State laws
Debbie Ziegler holds a photo of her late daughter, Brittany Maynard, during the California End of Life Option Act campaign. Patricia A. González-Portillo appears in the background. Photo credit: Los Angeles Times.
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Advanced seven additional state laws following California’s through integrated communications campaigns spanning messaging, media relations, coalition engagement, and public education.
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Expanded supporter engagement from 25,000 to 95,000 (280% growth) through integrated digital and advocacy campaigns.
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Translated complex policy issues into compelling narratives that built awareness, understanding, and public support.
Latino Media & Coalition Building
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Recruited civil rights icon Dolores Huerta as a national spokesperson and served as her communications strategist for 11 years, leading media strategy, op-eds, briefings, speeches, and legislative testimony.
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Launched and led the first national Latino media and public affairs outreach initiative, building bilingual strategies to engage Spanish-language media, legislators, and Latino constituencies statewide and nationwide for the first time in the organization’s history.
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Created and led the Latino Leadership Council, conducting national outreach to recruit and convene Latino leaders across healthcare, civic, legal, labor, political, and advocacy sectors.
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Developed culturally relevant messaging that strengthened community connections, expanded engagement, and advanced public understanding of complex policy issues.
Dolores Huerta speaks at the launch of California’s End of Life Option Act implementation campaign in Sacramento. Photo by Patricia A. González-Portillo
Healthcare & Mission-Driven Communications Leadership
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Led bilingual communications strategy overseeing media relations, public affairs, advocacy communications, stakeholder engagement, and mission-driven storytelling.
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Strengthened organizational brand identity by developing consistent visual standards, including signature colors and advocacy materials that continue to shape campaign recognition today.
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Developed fundraising stories, donor communications, and impact narratives for Compassion & Choices and Southern California healthcare organizations, highlighting patient stories, community impact, and mission-driven initiatives.
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Directed communications at March of Dimes, leading public awareness campaigns, maternal and infant health initiatives, and strategic storytelling to engage donors, advocates, and communities.
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Provided media relations support to Southern California hospitals, including California Hospital Medical Center and White Memorial Medical Center, securing coverage and promoting healthcare programs and community initiatives.
Government & Legislative Communications
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Served as Communications Director for the California State Assembly Latino Caucus under Assemblymember Tony Mendoza, leading messaging, media relations, and public affairs initiatives in Sacramento.
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Conducted legislative research for State Senator Eddie Lucio Sr. at the Texas Capitol, supporting policy analysis and legislative initiatives.
Digital Innovation & Global Storytelling
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Created and led a digital storytelling campaign for a Brazilian TikTok creator based in Madrid, developing content strategies to connect audiences across the United States and Latin America.
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Produced and managed TikTok storytelling content that expanded reach, engagement, and visibility across diverse audiences.
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Authored bilingual feature stories in English and Spanish after following the creator’s journey, transforming a digital narrative into broader media storytelling.
Digital Communications Skills
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Digital campaign strategy and audience engagement
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Website development and management, including content strategy, messaging, and user experience
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Multimedia storytelling across web, social, and digital platforms
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Social media strategy and community engagement
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Digital content creation and audience growth
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
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HPRA ¡Bravo! Award — Nonprofit Campaign of the Year (2016)
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HPRA ¡Bravo! Award — Public Education Campaign of the Year (2016)
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GLAAD Media Award — Outstanding Newspaper Article, La Opinión (2003)
✦THE STORIES BEHIND THE IMPACT
In memory of Brittany, Miguel, Don José, Emily Rose, Matt, Michael, Chris, Christy, and the many others who entrusted me with their stories. It has been an honor to share their voices, honor their journeys, and carry their stories forward.
National Univision interview at Don José Alejandro Lemuz’s family home — transforming his End of Life Option Act journey into a national conversation and amplifying Latino voices through powerful storytelling.
SKILLS
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Strategic Communications
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Earned Media & Narrative Strategy
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Crisis & Executive Communications
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Advocacy & Public Affairs Campaigns
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Spokesperson Recruitment & Media Coaching
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Message Development & Rapid Response
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Coalition & Stakeholder Engagement
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Health Equity & Public Policy Communications
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Social Media & Digital Strategy
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AI-Assisted Communications
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Spanish-Language Media Strategy & Outreach
HABILIDADES
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Comunicaciones Estratégicas
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Estrategia de Medios y Narrativa
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Comunicaciones de Crisis y para Ejecutivos
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Campañas de Abogacía y Asuntos Públicos
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Reclutamiento y Capacitación de Portavoces
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Desarrollo de Mensajes y Respuesta Rápida
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Construcción de Coaliciones y Alianzas Estratégicas
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Comunicaciones sobre Equidad en Salud y Políticas Públicas
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Estrategia Digital y Redes Sociales
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Comunicaciones Asistidas por IA
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Estrategia y Alcance con Medios en Español