Cordero Holmes

Cordero Holmes is a Phoenix native, a proud member of the Tohono O’odham Nation, and a nationally recognized community leader whose work centers on youth empowerment, education, racial equity, public policy, and second chances. His journey is a testament to resilience and transformation. After overcoming more than a decade of incarceration, Cordero has dedicated his life to creating opportunities for justice-impacted young people and communities that have too often been overlooked.

Cordero’s educational journey began while he was incarcerated, when he enrolled at Rio Salado College. He went on to earn multiple degrees and credentials, including certificates in Addiction and Substance Use Disorders, an Associate in Applied Science, and an Associate in Arts with an emphasis in Psychology. His academic excellence and leadership earned him several prestigious honors, including recognition as an All-Arizona Academic Team Scholar, Coca-Cola Academic Team Scholar, Phi Theta Kappa Hites Transfer Scholar, and Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholar. (Rio Salado College)

After Rio Salado College, Cordero continued his education at Arizona State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Service and Public Policy. He is currently pursuing dual master’s degrees in Criminology and Criminal Justice and Public Administration through ASU’s Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions. (ASU Search)

As Director of Operations for Progress Pushers Arizona, Cordero works directly with youth ages 12–24 who have been impacted by the justice system, providing mentorship, leadership development, and opportunities designed to help young people build successful futures. He has also mentored youth at the Durango Juvenile Detention Center, supported individuals experiencing homelessness, spoken at events across the country, and served as a STAR Fellow with the Urban Institute. His work has taken him into communities and Tribal Nations where he helps facilitate conversations around education, parenting, justice, and systems change.

Cordero’s advocacy extends into public policy and education. He has contributed to the Arizona Department of Education’s Indian Education Advisory Council, supporting efforts related to policies affecting Indigenous students and families. He has also worked with the Computing Alliance for Hispanic-Serving Institutions and the Maricopa Council on Black American Affairs. His commitment to Indigenous representation was further recognized through his selection as Mr. Indigenous at ASU 1st Attendant for 2024–2025, serving as a goodwill ambassador at cultural events at ASU and throughout Indian Country. (Phi Theta Kappa Foundation)

Cordero’s leadership and commitment to service have earned recognition at the local, university, and national levels. He received the City of Phoenix Martin Luther King Jr. Living the Dream Award in 2023 and the 2025 Arizona State University Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Student Servant-Leadership Award, honoring his commitment to service, inclusion, and community leadership. (ASU News) Most recently, he was selected as a recipient of the 2025 American Association of Community Colleges Outstanding Alumni Award, a national honor recognizing community college alumni who have excelled in their fields and made meaningful contributions to their communities. (Rio Salado College)

Cordero’s story has also reached a national audience through his appearance in the PBS Roadtrip Nation documentary Being Free, which follows formerly incarcerated individuals navigating reentry, education, and personal transformation. (Phi Theta Kappa Foundation)

Today, Cordero continues to use his lived experience, education, and leadership to challenge systems, expand access to opportunity, and demonstrate the transformative power of education and second chances. Whether mentoring a young person, advocating for policy change, engaging Indigenous communities, or speaking before national audiences, his mission remains rooted in helping others recognize that their past does not have to determine their future.