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Kris began her career in healthcare as a Respiratory Therapist. She later combined her love of public service and communications as a Strategic Communications Specialist for multiple organizations and unions, including the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO (AFSCME) at the International Headquarters in Washington, DC. In that role, Kris worked on many issues including child care, home health care and healthcare organizing. During her over two decades in the labor movement, Kris was also involved in the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO (APALA). Along the communications path, she also served as co-host and anchor of “Valderrama’s America,” a multicultural TV news magazine.
Kris was first elected to the Maryland House of Delegates in 2006, and currently serves on the Economic Matters Committee where she chairs the Alcohol Beverages Subcommittee, and also serves as the House Chair of the Joint Worker’s Compensation Benefit and Insurance Oversight Committee. She currently chairs the Bi-County Subcommittee of the Prince George’s House Delegation.
Kris serves in House leadership as the Deputy Majority Leader to the House of Delegates under the leadership of Speaker Adrienne Jones.
Kris has also served as Deputy Speaker Pro Tem in 2018 when she was appointed by then and now the late Speaker Michael E. Busch. She is also a member of the House bipartisan leadership Rules & Executive Nominations Committee; the Legislative Policy Committee which oversees a range of issues including oversight of General Assembly standing committees, and of the rules and procedures of the Maryland House of Delegates and Senate, as well as monitoring general information about the general welfare of state, and about the Maryland State Constitution, statutes and common law.
Kris previously served on the House Judiciary Committee for eight years, and as Chair of the Law Enforcement and State Appointed Board Committee of the Prince George’s House Delegation for two terms.
Kris is a member -and former Chair- of the Maryland Legislative Asian American and Pacific Islander Caucus as well as a member of the Women Legislators of Maryland.
Among Kris’ proudest legislative accomplishments was serving as lead sponsor – and having all become law – of the Time To Care Act (Paid Family Medical Leave), the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act & the Disclosing Sexual Harassment in the Workplace Act.
Kris was born in our nation’s capital, Washington D.C., and is a lifelong resident of the 26th Legislative District where she resides in Fort Washington, MD with her husband and two daughters. She is a member of St. Columba Church.
Board of Directors, Maryland Public-Private Partnership Marketing Corporation
Board of Directors (FMR), Family Matters of Greater Washington, Inc. (FMGW)
Chair, Fund Development Advisory Committee
Prince George’s County Local Development Council
Governor’s Council on Family Violence Prevention
Maryland State Council for Interstate Adult Offender Supervision
Criminal Justice Information Advisory Board
National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), Labor and Economic Development Committee
National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Quad Caucus
National Asian Pacific American Caucus of State Legislators (NAPACSL),
2nd Vice-Chair
National Philippine Cultural Foundation, Inc.
Asian Pacific American Democratic Caucus of Maryland, Former Chair
International Chamber of Asian and American Business Executives, Communications Director
Prince George’s Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, NAACP
Southern Christian Leadership Conference
2022 & 2011 Legislator of the Year Award – Steamfitters UA Local 602
Women’s Law Center of Maryland – Dorothy Beatty Memorial Award
Filipina Women’s Network – 100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the World
Pan Pacific Leaders and Mentors Speaker Award
Guiling-Guiling Club Most Outstanding in Government Services
First Generation Filipino-American Delegates Award
Children’s Hospital Advocacy Award
Bachelor of Science | Salisbury University
Oxon Hill High School