Emily Mendrala

Emily Mendrala is a Senior Advisor of Dinámica Americas.

Emily served as Deputy Assistant to the President, Senior Advisor on Migration, and Coordinator for the Southwest Border at the White House from 2023 to 2024. Before joining the White House, she was Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs and covered Cuba, Central America, and regional migration. Emily has also worked on legislative affairs at the National Security Council and as a Professional Staff Member on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Outside of government, she has deep experience in non-profit leadership, serving as the Executive Director for Center for Democracy in the Americas from 2017 to 2021. Emily is from Raleigh, North Carolina. She has an M.A. in International Economics with a concentration in Latin American Studies from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and a B.A. in Mathematics from the University of Virginia.

Insights by Emily

Jan 9, 2026

Will history vindicate or condemn the capture of Maduro?

NOTUS: Perspectives

NOTUS Perspectives published Senior Advisor Emily Mendrala's thoughts on the legacy of the U.S. capture of Nicolás Maduro.

Nov 11, 2025

What Factors Will Decide Honduras’ Upcoming Election?

The Dialogue: Latin America Advisor

The Inter-American Dialogue’s Latin America Advisor published Senior Advisor Emily Mendrala regarding the Honduran presidential election.

Jul 8, 2025

What Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ Means for the Americas

Americas Quarterly

The signature legislation will impact regional economies, immigration, and energy policy, two experts write. Co-authored by Emily Mendrala.

Mar 20, 2025

What Will Decide Honduras’ General Election This Year?

The Dialogue: Leadership for the Americas

Honduran voters on March 9 selected candidates for the country’s three dominant political parties to replace outgoing President Xiomara Castro in the general elections in November. Co-authored by Emily Mendrala.