What has been a defining moment in your leadership journey, and how did it shape you?
When I took my first leadership role at 25, I became the Principal for the Education Department at a Southwest Key Program shelter for unaccompanied minors. It was a huge responsibility that I loved and cared deeply about, but it came with a steep learning curve. I often felt overwhelmed and focused on every mistake I made. When I resigned after a year, I was surprised to see my team’s reaction; many cried and wrote heartfelt letters saying they had never had a manager who saw them as people.
That moment changed everything for me. I realized that even though I doubted myself, others saw my compassion and humanity as leadership. I learned that making mistakes is okay when you lead with transparency and accountability. I wish I had known then that what I was doing was brave and valuable, and that imperfect leadership can still be deeply impactful.
How did your Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation (DMCLF) experience shift your perspective on leadership and prepare you to face challenges that come with leading?
DMCLF helped me embrace my softer side as a strength in leadership. My natural style is rooted in empathy and hospitality, and the program showed me that those traits are not only valid but essential. I remember a group discussion with our coach, Dr. Ethan Waples, whose leadership style is very structured and executive (almost the opposite of mine). Sitting with leaders from different backgrounds helped me appreciate that empathy and storytelling are powerful tools for connection and influence.
The workshops, especially those led by Hillary Gustave, pushed me to think differently about risk-taking, when to jump into the unknown and when to act with structure and intention. My biggest takeaway is that a good leader is always learning, listening, welcoming feedback, and communicating with clarity and consistency.
What’s a lesson you’ve learned as a leader that you wish more people talked about openly?
I wish we talked more about how to give and receive feedback in a way that feels safe and productive. Feedback is an art—it requires honesty without cruelty and courage without defensiveness. At DMCLF, I had thoughtful conversations with managers and supervisors about their approaches to feedback. It helped me let go of the fear of being “too straightforward” and learn how to pair honesty with empathy. When feedback is rooted in care, it becomes a tool for growth instead of fear. Hillary Gustave’s workshop on giving feedback with “Radical Candor and Wise Compassion” put things into perspective. As an ever-evolving learner, feedback feels the most safe when approached with honesty and with the intention for us to grow and become better.
How do you see civic and business leadership evolving in Denver—and what gives you hope about the future?
I see leadership evolving to include more voices, values, and lived experiences. When we build cities, businesses, and homes centered on people rather than profit, we begin to close the gaps that keep communities from thriving. While working on the Public Transportation project with RTD, I learned how essential it is to invest in communities before expecting them to invest back.
As an educator and a proud mujer Mexicana, I’ve seen how gentrification pushes people like me out of the very places that rely on our labor and love. When a city doesn’t make space for you to live where you work, it sends a painful message. I truly believe that people are more willing to invest in businesses, housing, schools, and infrastructure when those systems prioritize their well-being. It sounds simple, yet the obvious is too often ignored.
What gives me hope is seeing more people willing to listen, stay curious, and engage in honest, respectful dialogue. Our youth give me the most hope. They are not just the future; they are the present. I see so much creativity, strength, and brilliance in them. We owe it to them to build a city that makes room for everyone to thrive.
If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
Throw away shame. Shame holds you back from being your most authentic, beautiful self and from asking for help. Let people love and support you. You are worthy of open arms, second chances, and mentorship through every transition. Trust your wisdom. Dance, connect, and stop being so hard on yourself. Your sensitivity is your strength, it deepens your intuition and brings life to every story you tell and every project you take on. You’re a storyteller at heart, so don’t just talk, create, and write.
