District 2

Incoming Board Member: Gabriela Biro is a mother, wife, cosmetologist, and lifelong activist.

The child of first- and third-generation immigrants with educators on both sides of her family, Gabriela developed a strong sense of civic pride and a deep belief in the importance of public education. Her political consciousness was shaped by her mother’s union involvement as a Chief Shop Steward and her participation in grassroots protest movements of the 2000s-10s. 

As a student, Gabriela faced personal challenges, including frequent relocations. When she was 10, her parents divorced, and she and her mother settled in Seattle, WA. Despite being a gifted student, her disadvantaged background discouraged her from initially pursuing higher education. Instead, she pursued a trade in one of her passions, studying and later practicing cosmetology. She soon recognized that her experiences reflected those of many young people navigating a rapidly changing education system and workforce. While in beauty school, Gabriela met her husband, Cody Kyser, a submariner stationed in Seattle with the U.S. Navy. After his military service, the couple moved to New Orleans, a return to Cody’s Gulf South roots. There, he pursued an engineering degree at the University of New Orleans, and Gabriela quickly fell in love with the city’s vibrant culture, deciding to make New Orleans her permanent home. 

Gabriela became deeply involved in the Mardi Gras krewe community by contributing to philanthropic events, as well as collaboratively creating, and serving on the board of a new dance krewe. Her commitment to progressive causes continued in New Orleans, where she has joined various grassroots organizations focused on marginalized communities, animal welfare, reproductive justice, and environmental restoration. Gabriela has been particularly active with the New Orleans DSA chapter and in mutual aid efforts. 

During the COVID-19 lockdown, Gabriela returned to school at Delgado Community College and learned that she had previously undiagnosed learning disabilities, giving her a deeper understanding of the systemic barriers in education. While focusing on child psychology, she decided to pivot to starting a family of her own. As someone who had been let down by the system and as a new parent, Gabriela’s experiences fueled her commitment to public education for future generations. This passion ultimately led her to serve as a school board member. Gabriela’s leadership is driven by her child-centered philosophy, with a focus on ensuring that every student—especially the most vulnerable—has access to the opportunities necessary for success in today’s world.