In this episode of Adelante Leadership, Tania and Peter sit down with Edgar J. Palacios, a visionary leader dedicated to increasing Latino representation in education. As the founder of the Latinx Education Collaborative (LEC) and Revolución Educativa (RevED), Edgar is on a mission to create equitable opportunities for Latino students and educators.

Edgar shares his journey from a background in music to becoming a powerhouse in nonprofit leadership, earning an MBA, completing prestigious fellowships, and advocating for systemic change. With a wealth of experience in community organizing, executive coaching, and educational equity, he brings insights into what it means to lead with audacity, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to Latino empowerment.

Join us as we explore the challenges and triumphs of Latino leadership, the impact of educational advocacy, and how we can all take bold steps toward creating a more just and inclusive future.

Tune in and get inspired to be audacious in your own leadership journey!

Tania and Peter talk to Gibrán.

Our species stands at a choice point—will this be our evolutionary crash or our evolutionary leap? In this episode, internationally renowned master facilitator Gibrán Rivera joins the conversation to explore what it takes to move forward together.

Gibrán helps leaders, networks, and organizations navigate complexity while centering power, equity, and inclusion. He invites us into a forward-facing remembering, a call to reclaim trust and embrace the currency of love as we shape the future. His work is dedicated to defining better ways of being together in this world—ways that honor our interconnectedness and our potential for transformation.

Join us for an inspiring discussion about leadership, belonging, and the gold that is everywhere—if we choose to see it.

Learn more about Gibrán’s work at www.gibranrivera.com.

Peter and Tania welcomes Romona Casas.

Bienvenidos a Adelante Leadership, el podcast donde amplificamos las voces de líderes latinos que están generando un cambio duradero en sus comunidades. Hoy tenemos el honor de conversar con Ramona Casas, una incansable defensora de la justicia social y los derechos de los inmigrantes en el Valle del Río Grande.

Ramona es originaria de Ocotlán, Jalisco, México, emigró al sur de Texas y creció en Reynosa, Tamaulipas. Su pasión por el empoderamiento comunitario la llevó a cofundar ARISE (A Resource In Serving Equality) en 1987 junto con la hermana Gerrie Naughton. Durante más de 37 años, ha estado al frente de la lucha por la justicia social, trabajando con residentes de bajos ingresos para fortalecer la participación cívica, abogar por los derechos de los inmigrantes y fomentar el liderazgo entre mujeres, niños y jóvenes.

Ramona ha desempeñado muchos roles: organizadora comunitaria, coordinadora de testigos en la frontera, co-coordinadora de la campaña Get Out the Vote y cofundadora de centros comunitarios adicionales, como ARISE South Tower en Álamo, Texas. También fue presidenta de las iniciativas de Participación Cívica, Educación, Salud, Inmigración y Vivienda en Equal Voice Network durante 13 años.

Su dedicación ha trascendido la defensa local. Ramona ha formado parte de la Junta Directiva de organizaciones como Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid, Migrant Health Promotion, South Texas Civil Rights y Proyecto Azteca. Ha sido una pieza clave en la organización de eventos comunitarios, marchas, manifestaciones, conferencias de prensa y foros para crear conciencia sobre los problemas de justicia social que afectan a la comunidad inmigrante.

En octubre de 2023, su liderazgo fue reconocido a nivel internacional cuando se unió a la Southern Border Community Coalition para representar al sur de Texas en las Naciones Unidas en Ginebra, Suiza.

Hoy, conversaremos con Ramona sobre su trayectoria: qué la inspiró a asumir un rol de liderazgo, los desafíos y triunfos de la organización comunitaria, y cómo ARISE sigue moldeando el futuro de la defensa de los inmigrantes.

Tania and Peter speak to Irene.

Welcome to Adelante Leadership! In today’s episode, we are honored to have an inspiring and transformative leader join us: Irene Packer-Halsey. With over 50 years of experience, Irene has dedicated her life to empowering BIPOC communities to drive social change and justice. Her journey, which began in her adolescent years, has been guided by a clear and unwavering purpose—creating vibrant, fair, and just communities where intergenerational families and children can thrive.

Throughout her career, Irene has worn many hats—trainer, coach, mentor, and activist—always with a focus on inspiring and uplifting others. Her passion and expertise have shaped national social justice training and advocacy organizations, building strong networks and partnerships to achieve meaningful change.

In this episode, Irene shares her wisdom, insights, and the importance of standing with each other as we work toward a more just and equitable future. Her powerful motto, “Pa’lante! Siempre Pa’lante! So The People May Live!”, reminds us of the strength in unity and the courage to move forward together.

Tune in as we explore Irene’s incredible journey, her life’s purpose, and the ways we can all stand with each other to create lasting impact. Let’s get started!

Welcome back to another episode of Adelante Leadership podcast where we dive into conversations that inspire, challenge, and empower. Tania and Peter co-hosts, today, we have a powerhouse guest joining us—Ellen Bennett!

Ellen is the founder and CEO of Hedley & Bennett, the company behind the premium aprons that have taken the culinary world by storm. What started in her tiny L.A. apartment has grown into a multi-million dollar business, built on grit, vision, and relentless action. But Ellen’s impact goes far beyond aprons—she’s also the author of Dream First, Details Later: How to Quit Overthinking & Make It Happen!

In this episode, we’ll talk about the mindset that helped Ellen turn an idea into a thriving business, why taking the first step matters more than having a perfect plan, and how we can all embrace a little more courage in our own lives. If you’ve ever hesitated to start something because you weren’t "ready," this conversation is for you.

https://www.hedleyandbennett.com

Welcome back to another episode of Adelante Leadership! Today, we are thrilled to introduce you to John Torres, an extraordinary leader with over 20 years of experience as an educator, lawyer, and occasional judge. John is a thought

Born and raised on a farm in northeastern Colorado, John’s journey began alongside migrant workers in the fields. From those humble beginnings, he has risen to prominence, balancing a dynamic career that includes serving as a pro tem

In this episode, we’ll explore how John’s roots and experiences have shaped his unique approach to leadership. From the fields to the bench, his commitment to lending passion to everything he does has created a meaningful and impactful life. Join us as we dive into his inspiring journey and learn how he uses his

Welcome to Episode 8 of the Adelante Leadership podcast!

Dr. Curtis Acosta is a trailblazing educator and the Founder and Executive

Dr. Acosta’s scholarship and thought leadership are equally impressive. His

A proud Distinguished Alumnus of Willamette University, Dr. Acosta earned

Dr. Acosta’s journey and achievements are deeply rooted in gratitude for his

For more information about Dr. Curtis Acosta and his work, please visit his website.

Join us as we explore the transformative power of education with Dr. Curtis

Welcome to Adelante Leadership, the podcast where we celebrate the stories of inspiring leaders who are creating meaningful change in their communities and beyond. We are your co-hosts, Peter and Tania, and we are so excited to bring you today’s episode, which delves into a topic that is at the heart of true leadership: vulnerability and its transformative power in education.

Joining us today is Hector Bojorquez, a visionary leader with over 25 years of experience in education. Hector began his journey as an educator in a bilingual elementary school classroom, where he saw firsthand the profound impact of culturally responsive teaching. Today, as the Director of Operations and Educational Practice at the Intercultural Development Research Association (IDRA), he is shaping racially equitable education systems that lift up students, families, and school communities.

At IDRA, Hector has pioneered initiatives like Youth Leadership Now, an asset-based program that empowers students in at-risk situations to become community leaders and blaze a pathway to success. He also co-directs Re-energizing Leadership to Achieve Greater Student Success, a project that transforms school instruction through innovative practices and school-community collaboration.

In this episode, we’ll explore how vulnerability has guided Hector’s work in education—from building trust with students and teachers to creating spaces where individuals feel seen, valued, and empowered to succeed. We’ll discuss the challenges and triumphs of transforming schools into inclusive, collaborative environments and how vulnerability serves as a catalyst for both personal and systemic change.

Get ready for an inspiring conversation about leadership, equity, and the courage it takes to reimagine education. Let’s dive in!

En este episodio del podcast Adelante Leadership, contamos con la participación especial de Lorena Andrade, directora de La Mujer Obrera (LMO), una organización comunitaria independiente con sede en El Paso, Texas.

Lorena comparte cómo su liderazgo está enraizado en la autenticidad y la vulnerabilidad, cualidades que han sido fundamentales para fortalecer a las mujeres en su comunidad. Desde su experiencia organizando a mujeres desplazadas de la industria de la confección tras la implementación del TLCAN, Andrade ha demostrado un compromiso inquebrantable con el empoderamiento y la creación de espacios donde las mujeres puedan liderar y prosperar.

Hablamos sobre los programas transformadores que ha desarrollado junto a su equipo en LMO, como el Centro Mayapan, que incluye iniciativas empresariales sociales como Café Mayapan, Rayito de Sol Guardería y LumMetik Trading Co. Lorena también destaca los valores culturales e históricos que guían proyectos como la granja comunitaria Tierra es Vida y el Museo Maychen.

En esta conversación profunda y reflexiva, Andrade explora cómo la historia, la herencia indígena mexicana y la colaboración comunitaria moldean su enfoque de liderazgo. Este episodio es una invitación a reflexionar sobre cómo liderar desde el corazón puede transformar comunidades y promover justicia social.

Para más información sobre La Mujer Obrera y su impacto, visita www.mujerobrera.org.

Welcome to Adelante Leadership, Peter and Tania explore transformative ideas, inspiring stories, and impactful strategies that empower leaders to create meaningful change. In today’s episode, we delve into a compelling concept—The Power to Harvest Love in Your Leadership.  

Our guest, Natanael Mateus-Ruiz, is an extraordinary educator and leader specializing in leadership development, peace education, human development, language, and conflict resolution. As a certified mediator and seasoned expert, Natanael has devoted his life to transforming conflicts into opportunities for growth and connection. His journey as an immigrant and survivor of violence shaped his commitment to creating a more peaceful world, one interaction at a time.  

Natanael’s approach to leadership centers on the transformative power of peace. With a deep belief in education as a tool for conflict resolution, he has worked with universities and communities worldwide to train leaders who embody compassion and empathy. His philosophy goes beyond resolving disputes—it’s about fostering love and understanding as the foundation for sustainable leadership.  

Join us as we discuss Natanael’s inspiring story, his professional journey, and his vision for a world where leaders harvest love to create stronger, more inclusive communities. Whether you’re a seasoned leader or just beginning your journey, this episode will inspire you to lead with intention, courage, and heart.  

Let’s dive in!