Introducing Rompiendo Barreras: Lessons from a Latina Leader and Social Entrepreneur

As I consider my leadership journey, I see a trend: My superpower has always been to refuse to stay in the boxes where I was told to stay. I believe that rules are made to be broken, and that mindset has led me to reshaping, reimagining, and reconfiguring organizations, structures, and policies.  

As a Latina, I know that’s not culturally the case for other mujeres out there – from a young age, we’re told to stay in line, to follow the rules, to be nice little girls. As someone who doesn’t fit the archetype of who entrepreneurs are, I know I have a lot to share with other Latinas who are growing in leadership. I spent decades searching for an organization that aligned with who I am as both a Latina and leader. Although I found aspects of it in different places, I didn’t find exactly what I needed, and what I know other Latinos need in order to reach our full potential. So, I created an organization that would reflect my values, cultural upbringing, and skillset. In 2016 I launched Latinos for Education and established the following core values to guide our work:  

• Lead from our identity,  

• Agitate when necessary,  
• Work con ganas,  
• Bridge across cultures, and  
• Rise as a collective.  

I created Latinos for Education because it reflects who I am as both a Latina and a leader. And I know there are others out there who likely find themselves in a place where they don’t feel they can show up as their full selves.   

So, this year, I’ve decided to begin the practice of sharing lessons I’ve learned along the way. I’ll be sharing stories, insights, and experiences to inspire Latina leaders while connecting with other leaders who can relate to the universal aspects of leadership.  

As you read the thoughts I’ll share here, I hope that if you’re looking for the right place where you can be your full self – where you can lean into your identity, your comunidad, and your own superpowers – that you’ll find some wisdom, some encouragement, and maybe even some laughs as I share my stories of leadership, learning, and growth. Welcome to Rompiendo Barreras: Lessons from a Latina leader and social entrepreneur.   

About the newsletter:

Despite a recent surge in social entrepreneurship popularity throughout the past decade, the rate of people of color leading movements continues to lag. The Urban Institute reports that across all nonprofit organizations, 79% of leaders are non-Hispanic white. Even still, organizations who are led by leaders of color are funded at much slower rates than others led by non-Hispanic white leaders. Research also shows that women of color constantly face systemic barriers in social entrepreneurship.  As the college graduation rates for Latinas grow faster than any other group of women, I share about social entrepreneurship, organizational development, and lessons in leadership that I’ve learned along the way.