Civic & Community
Civic engagement isn't something Barbara added to her career. It's the foundation her career was built on — inherited from a family that rebuilt its civic life from exile and never stopped investing in the institutions that protect freedom.
“The work of building a movement is never finished. Every generation has to recommit.”
30+
Years of Experience
100+
Trainings Delivered
20+
International Conferences Planned
15+
Countries Engaged
6+
Organizations Managed
Affiliations
01
National Secretary
The oldest and largest Hispanic Republican organization in the United States. Barbara serves as National Secretary, helping lead the organization her parents helped found — carrying forward a family legacy of building the conservative Hispanic political infrastructure.
02
State Chair
Leading the Florida chapter of the Republican National Hispanic Assembly, advancing conservative Hispanic engagement across the state and building the political infrastructure to grow the party's reach within Florida's Hispanic communities.
03
District 19 Committeewoman
Elected member of the Miami-Dade County Republican Executive Committee, representing District 19 and helping shape the direction of the party on issues affecting Hispanic communities.
04
Treasurer
Serving as Treasurer for the Cuban Sugarmill Owners Association, honoring the legacy of Cuban exile business leaders and preserving the history and heritage of Cuba's pre-revolutionary industry.
05
Member
Serving as a Member of the Miami-Dade County Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board, contributing expertise in community engagement, political strategy, and Hispanic affairs to advise county leadership on issues impacting the region's Hispanic population.
Areas of Focus
For three decades, Barbara has invested in identifying, training, and elevating the next generation of Hispanic conservative leaders — through mentorship, leadership programs, and direct sponsorship of emerging talent.
Barbara facilitates access between Latin American governments, business leaders, and U.S. policymakers — creating the relationships that advance bilateral trade, investment, and shared policy priorities.
From founding 501(c) organizations to building PACs, Barbara has spent her career constructing the institutional infrastructure that gives the Hispanic conservative movement staying power.
Barbara honors the Cuban exile legacy and the sacrifices of those who built the Hispanic conservative movement — ensuring that history informs the next generation of leaders and advocates.
The Foundation
Barbara's civic identity was forged by her family's story. Her grandfather, Senator José Manuel Casanova, was a legislator and landowner who defined Cuba's national identity. When Castro seized power, the family came to the United States — and immediately began rebuilding their civic life in their new country.
Her father became Chairman of the Miami-Dade County Republican Executive Committee and helped found the Republican National Hispanic Assembly. Her mother served in senior roles under Presidents Reagan and George H.W. Bush. Barbara grew up watching civic engagement not as an obligation, but as an expression of gratitude — and a responsibility to the country that gave her family refuge.
That inheritance shapes everything she does today.
“My parents didn't just participate in American politics. They helped build the infrastructure that made Hispanic conservative participation possible.”
— Barbara Casanova
Get Involved
Whether you're launching an organization, running a campaign, or looking to connect with the Hispanic conservative network, Barbara is the bridge.
