Born in Lubbock and raised in Eagle Pass, Diana is a lifelong Texan. Diana moved to Round Rock in the late 90’s to find more affordable homes, good public schools and safer neighborhoods for her children. Her father instilled in her at an early age the importance of education, doing your best and giving back to the community, while her mother was the rock of perseverance that held the family together and executed family goals.

Diana has a long history of supporting teachers and students as a parent, on the Reilly Elementary PTA in Austin ISD, and serving as President of the Round Rock ISD Board of Trustees. During her tenure, Round Rock ISD became one of the fastest growing and highest rated school districts in Texas. It gained recognition from Texas Monthly and from Forbes Magazine, who ranked Round Rock ISD ninth in the nation as best public education for the taxpayer dollar. As President of the school board, Diana always listened to different viewpoints to bring a voice to students and families of low socio-economic and educational disparities. It was also important for her to build trust among her colleagues to help find common ground as the school board took on the difficult task of operating in an open and honest fashion while providing educators and students with the tools and resources they needed to succeed in the classroom. Her focus in putting children first is what earned her the trust of her colleagues and residents.

Maldonado also spent over 20 years at the Texas Comptroller’s Office (24 years total in state government) before seeking election in House District 52. She was the first woman to serve consecutive terms as president of the Mexican American Comptroller’s Employees Association at the Comptroller’s office. She also won the Comptroller’s Outstanding Team Award in 1998. In addition to her day-to-day operations, she served on numerous task forces and committees at the agency.

Diana returned to college to earn her Bachelor’s in Business Management in 2000, where she graduated magna cum laude from St. Edward’s University New College. She was also on the dean’s list while working full-time as a single parent. She was the recipient of the Personal/Professional Award at the Comptroller’s Office in 1999 while undertaking this endeavor, and continues her support as an advocate for the St. Edward’s University New College program.

Diana is a mother of two children; Alex, a graduate of Round Rock High and St. Edward’s University and Denise Michelle, a graduate of Stony Point High who attends Austin Community College.