Expat Connect
Progress321’s mission to connect Progressors to advance the region does not stop in the Southwest!
We not only want to engage professionals living in the region to advance the Quality of Life, but also those that were born and raised here sharing their talents with the world. Through our Expat Initiative, we hope to connect expats and progressors with regional leaders so we can enhance the region through our homegrown talent.
Who is considered an Expat?
An expat can be defined as someone who grew up in El Paso, Juarez, or Las Cruces and called the region their home, who now lives and works outside the region.
Become a Progress321 Expat Member
Progress321 has developed a membership level for expats that allows them to network, gain access to leaders and Progressors through remote and in person programming.
The Expat Membership is $150 a year. With this membership you will have access to the following:
Access to regional community leaders
Access to network with a progressive group of El Pasoans
Business networking opportunities
Education on regional topics
Mentorship: Connect with Progressors moving or visiting your city or in your profession
Virtual and in-town group sessions
Access to promote yourself as a speaker
Behind the scenes tours
Access to P321 members-only events
To learn more about our Expat Membership, please fill out the form, below:
Meet Our Expat Membership Chairs
Leyla Zeidan Safa, Secretary
Moms on Board
Current City: El Paso
Olivia Troye
The Troye Group LLC
Current City:
Expat Give Back Projects
Progress321 Expats continuously give back to the region in various ways. Below are some projects initiated by Expats after attending Progress321’s El Paso Everywhere event.
The Espiritu Bridge
Directed by Expat Progressor Jim Baldwin (Dallas)
Jimmy plans to build an art installation with structures on both sides of the Rio Grande River connected by light beams.
Borderland Big Ideas
Directed by Expat Progressor Jonathan Tavarez (New York City)
Jonathan organizes transformative conversations important to the borderland region.
Texas Food & Wine Alliance Wine & Dine Series
Directed by Expat Progressor John Carbajal (San Antonio)
John organizes an event celebrating El Paso Expat Chefs.
The El Paso in Austin Network
Hosted by Expat Progressor Linda Medina-Lopez (Austin)
In 2007, Linda co-founded the El Paso in Austin Network, an organization that connects and recognizes fellow El Pasoans in Austin through the Annual Trailblazer Awards and provides college scholarships for deserving El Paso seniors going to Austin to study.
Home for the Holidays
Hosted by Expat Progressor Jennifer Sanchez (Chandler)
Jennifer created an annual gathering of Expats connecting over the December holidays
El Paso Everywhere
Connect with local leaders changing the face of the Borderplex. El Paso Everywhere is a weekend designed to reconnect expats, who have moved away, to people and projects that are actively transforming our region.
One Region One Table
One Region One Table showcases the unique culinary culture of three states, two countries, and one beautiful region through an elevated, multi-course dinner event complete with a cocktail hour, live entertainment and sommelier’s choice wine pairings hosted in a memorable venue.
What Expats Are Saying
“Expats - get reconnected to the transforming Border Region. An opportunity to reconnect with the culture, arts, culinary, and the downtown revitalization through the access from membership and the network. Give back to the City that gave you your foundation and pay it forward with your support of membership and contributions in mentorship to the next Progressors.”
— John Carbajal, San Antonio
“I had heard how much El Paso was changing and coming back home for El Paso Everywhere blew me away. It was everything I wanted to see and everything I wanted to hear from the people making the changes. If it wasn’t for Progress 321 and El Paso Everywhere I’d feel left behind and not know what opportunities my home town now has to offer.”
— Alex Franco, Austin