Meet Anna Carpenter | Victim Advocate/Community Engagement Coordinator for the Harris County District Attorney’s Office

We had the good fortune of connecting with Anna Carpenter and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anna, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
I found my new career 3 years ago and quickly realized that my schedule and time spent at home would have to change. Although it was difficult for my husband and I to rearrange our tasks as parents, I knew that spending more time on myself through my career was the right thing to do for my mental health, sense of self and ultimately, for my family. My job is very demanding, I don’t have a “shut off” time but doing what I love has allowed me to be more present emotionally when I am with my family.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I worked as a teacher for 13 years. This profession served its purpose in the early days as the consistent schedule and routine allowed me to finish my schooling and gave me a stability I needed. My husband and I decided to leave Mexico, the place where we met, married, had our first child and where all my family still lives, because of the violence plaguing the country in 2009. My brother was killed in that violence and that is wheat ultimately convinced us to leave.

Once we moved our family to the US, and I worked towards my citizenship, I gave a lot of thought to the type of country that I wanted for my children. My main concern for getting involved was gun violence so I looked for and found Moms Demand Action, a victim advocacy group that works to get sensible gun legislation passed. I decided that I would be an active citizen in pursuing a better country for my children. After the 2016 elections I looked for a career change where I could work towards positive action as my main job and not only as a volunteer.

My first job in politics was working field in the Beto campaign. I learned so much along the way but more than anything, I regained a spark that I had lost within myself. My passion and dedication to helping fix the root of the problems in this country, continued to provide me with opportunities and let me to work as a Campaign Manager for Kim Ogg who was running for her second term as Harris County District Attorney. After the campaign win, I took a job in the office as a Community Engagement Coordinator because I believe that Democracy requires citizen involvement and I find purpose in igniting that same spark that I found in myself, in others.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Unfortunately, COVID has made several of my favorite places in Houston to shut down but I still have some favorites. Here in the city I would take them to my favorite restaurant which is Ritual in Montrose. The food and drinks there are amazing as are the owners and staff. I would then take them to the Hill Country where we would kayak, hike and ride horses. We would camp at Son’s Island for one day to enjoy the river. Back in town we would find a night concert at Hermann Park .

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There have been people along the way in my life who have given me opportunities to find my strengths. These individuals are not famous and no one outside their immediate circles will recognize their names but the Maquivar family in Mexico was my guiding light in my early years as a young adult making up for all the lost years in my childhood. Jaime Mercado for seeing potential in me and giving me a start in this new career. I don’t know that he’ll ever understand the impact that his trust in me has had. And of course my husband for his patience, understanding and dolling out of second chances.