Peter and Tania talk to Angela ‘Mictlanxochitl’ about cultural identity.

Angela ‘Mictlanxochitl’ Anderson Guerrero Angela, PHD, MPP is the inaugural Executive Director of LIDERAMOS - The National Latino Leadership Alliance.

is a contemporary healer holding and guiding strategic change built in self-worth to regenerate radical compassion for a new world of equity, sustainability, and wonder. With over 25 years of experience in community engagement and leading organizations, she strives to be a leader in these times of survival. As a policy advocate and researcher, she served as the Director of Operations for the Institute for Diversity in Health Management and co-founded the National Forum for Healthcare Executives. She also served as the Program Director of the Center for Metropolitan Chicago Initiatives of the Institute for Latino Studies at the University of Notre Dame.

Recognizing the possibilities at the intersections of education, spirituality, and personal development, she completed her doctorate in transpersonal psychology at the California Institute of Integral Studies. In response to the global pandemic, she is a research associate with Latino Policy Forum and a volunteer with The National Coalition of Latinos Against COVID-19.

She is a specialist in the effective communication of pluralities of knowledge across cultural and organizational borders. She serves as a council member of Danza de la Huitzilmeztli and Danza de Luna Xinachtli Meztli, both transterritorial Mesoamerican ceremonial practices.

She earned her Master of Public Policy at the University of Chicago, and completed her undergraduate work at the University of Notre Dame.

https://lideramos.org/

Peter and Tania speak to Phyllis former member of the Washington House of Representative.  

Representative Phyllis Gutiérrez Kenney was appointed to the Washington State Legislature in January 1997 and retired in 2012.  She served sixteen years as a member of the House of Representatives.  She chaired the House Committee on Community, Economic Development, and Trade and was a member of the General Government Appropriations and Ways and Means Committees. She was also the chaired of the House Higher Education Committee for six years. 

In addition, she served as a member of the House and Senate Joint Committee on Economic Development and International Relations, chaired by the Lieutenant Governor, as well as the Governor’s Council on Aerospace and the Washington Economic Development Commission.  In both her professional and legislative activities, Representative Gutiérrez Kenney has consistently addressed issues concerning health, education, affordable housing, human rights, civil rights, family-wage jobs, economic development, and transportation.Representative Gutiérrez Kenney began her career as a community activist in the Yakima Valley and in the Tri-Cities, where she was the co-founder of the Washington State Migrant Child Care Centers, the Educational Institute for Rural Families, and the Farm Workers Clinics. She was also instrumental in establishing statewide Child Care and Early Childhood Education Teacher Training Programs.

Education has always been a top priority for Representative Gutiérrez Kenney. During her legislative career, she has sponsored legislation to create scholarships to expand access to college for low-income and minority student. In addition, she has sponsored legislation creating the I-BEST and Opportunity Grants programs that have been recognized at both the local and national levels. The Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training (I-BEST) program teaches students basic skills while allowing them to earn credit toward a certificate or degree. The Opportunity Grant program helps low-income adults train for high-wage, high-demand careers.

Representative Gutiérrez Kenney is also a proponent for health care building safe and healthy communities. She has sponsored legislation requiring insurance companies to provide insurance coverage for colorectal cancer screening. Additionally, she was instrumental in providing the funding for a colorectal cancer screening program targeting the low-income population of Washington. She also created the Building Communities Fund, which provides communities with state matching grants to help fund community construction projects. She has been a strong advocate for funding to provide farmworker housing, spurring economic development throughout the state while also providing clean, safe housing for farmworker families in rural Washington. 

Peter and Tania talks to Vincent about Healing Spaces in Leadership 

Vincent mentions 6 Essential Elements of DEI

We are in this together. As we continue to grow as a multi-ethnic, multi-racial America, we can foster organizational equity by making deliberate decisions regarding our day-to-day practices. Join Vincent for his reflections on must-have elements of intersectional social justice and DEI:

1. Healing, Liberation, and Celebration 2. Glossary of Terms 3. Agreements 4. Humanizing Practices 5. Historicizing Practices

6. Assessment Tools

Vincent is the son of Yolanda Ramirez-Lemarr and Rudy Perez. He is the husband of Kim Jansen and father to Tristan, Chase, and Devon. He is brother to Marla, Rudy and Rebecca. Vincent’s vocation is dedicated to the art and skill of facilitation. Meaningful learning experiences that honor the dignity of participants is his first priority. Vincent currently leads Rethink Manhood, working with men and boys to deconstruct and counter cultural narratives regarding what it means to be a "real" man. In addition, Vincent currently leads the Equity Institute, a national collective of equity consultants and recently created an Equity Audit Instrument for educational institutions.

A note from Vincent: I am blessed to serve as a lead visionary for the Equity Institute, Rethink Manhood, and La Cima y ¡La Chispa! Bilingual Leadership. My vocational calling is to honor the dignity and identities of learners to grow access, agency, empowerment, inclusion, healing, joy, justice, liberation, solidarity, and sovereignty. I’ve dedicated my career to serving historically marginalized peoples through carceral studies, culturally responsive pedagogy, ethnic studies, experiential education, family engagement, healing-centered masculinity, implementation science, Indigenous epistemology, juvenile justice reform, Latinx bilingual leadership, MTSS, near-peer mentorship, policy analysis, program evaluation, student empowerment, and trauma-informed systems. I am always honored to share knowledge, skills, and attributes that humanize practitioners and clients.

https://www.rethinkmanhood.org/

Tania and Peter talk to Lupe about knowing how to guide your anger in Leadership. 

Lupe Lopez is a nationally recognized expert in facilitating organizational transformations and leading and managing issue campaigns at the local, state and national level.  She has decades of experience as a bilingual writer, social strategist, coach, trainer, organizational development consultant and facilitator.

Lupe believes in cutting-edge strategies to advance progressive values.  She coaches executives and leaders so they can be effective agents of change. Lupe also develops diverse, inclusive and innovative networks and alliances. Her specialty is facilitating complex situations and implementing ambitious plans with an emphasis on diversity, inclusion and women’s leadership and equality. She is an expert in developing and implementing strategic plans, facilitating meetings, board development and creating strong teams. Through the years she has worked with scores of nonprofits at the local, state and national levels.

Lupe is passionate about women’s issues, diversity, and inclusion, access to health care, working with young people, immigrant rights, and faith communities. Currently, she is the Founder and Principal of Strong Women Action Network, a project of Tides Advocacy Fund that connects women to training, leadership development opportunities, political infrastructures and women-focused local and national organizations. The purpose is to create environments that will help women move into positions of power so they can impact organizations, structures, policies and participate in the public arena. The long-term vision is to achieve a diverse and inclusive society that supports women’s leadership styles and women’s impact on society. More information here on Lupe’s LinkedIn profile.

Tania and Peter talk to Guillermo about modeling leadership and what it is "Acomedido" in our latine community. 

Guillermo Carvajal believes that women are the key to creating a more just and content world. He believes that they have the capacity and lived experience to appreciate and understand what human beings need for a decent life. The more successes women accumulate, the more secured and healthy their family. And for me, the children of these women have a greater chance to do well in school and take hold of their own dreams. So it’s in my interest to see a growing number of Latina women succeeding.

The success of our students is directly tied to the success of their mothers. The women that have participated in the Symposium appreciate the power of hopes and aspirations. And all of men, women and us that can help provide tools and resources for their success should do so.

Guillermo states "my mom and my job have helped me to appreciate the power of dreams and aspirations. People must allow themselves to hold on to and nourish their hopes and passions. Sometimes that is the only thing that keeps them strong in the face of trauma and struggle."

Peter and Tania talk to Alfredo about leadership tools every leader needs. 

Alfredo Carrasquillo is a renowned executive leadership coach and  organizational development consultant devoted to the mission of unlocking human potential and removing obstacles that prevent teams  and organizations from achieving their strategic goals.

Drawing on his interdisciplinary and multicultural educational  background which includes undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and  professional studies in Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Spain, and the  United States, he has proven for over two decades that his combination  of capabilities and his blend of education and experience are  unparalleled in bringing about the affirmative transformation of his  clients. His experience as an executive leadership coach and  organizational development consultant is vast and has enabled his  clients to successfully experience new terrains and embark in strong,  well-thought and well-defined strategies that have translated into  sound business results.

During the last twenty-five years, he has partnered with clients, both in  Puerto Rico and in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bermuda, Colombia,  Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Mexico, Paraguay, South Africa, Turkey, and the United States. Clients he has served include Acrecent Financial,  Aids United, AIG, Amgen, Amnesty International, AON, Assurant,  AstraZeneca, AT Kearney, Bacardi, Banco Popular, Bellagio, B Fernández  y Hnos, Biomet, Bristol-Myers, Casa Grande, Cemex, Centros Sor Isolina  Ferré, Coliseo de Puerto Rico, Conagra Foods, CooperVision, Coors,  Enco, FiDelis, First Bank, First Transit, Fundación Ángel Ramos,  Fundación Miranda, Glaxo Smith Kline, Grupo Ferré Rangel, Hilton,  Johnson & Johnson, JWT, Lexus, Lilly, Kettering Foundation, Kimberly-Clark, McCain Foods, Medical Card System, Mentes Puertorriqueñas en  Acción, Merck, Municipio Autónomo de Caguas, Muñoz Holdings,  NetExpat, Nuestra Escuela, Pagés BBDO, Peces, Proyecto Nacer, Public  Agenda, Ricoh, Tolic, Toyota, Vibra and Weco.

His outstanding listening skills as well as his training as a psychoanalyst  and coach provide the depth of knowledge and ability that can change – and has changed – the structures and strictures of leaders, social  entrepreneurs, managers and executives in Latin America and the  United States.

Leaders, executives and teams in corporations, family firms,  governmental and non-governmental organizations have turned to  Alfredo Carrasquillo to sharpen and foster their needs and learn in the  process that for any idea to fructify the strategic framework on which  it is based should be a major and crucial stepping-stone, not diluting  the strategy but augmenting and working with the possibilities it  offers.

https://instituteofcoaching.org/users/alfredo-carrasquillo

Peter and Tania they reflect on the first five episodes and key take aways with the powerful interviews with great Latine leaders.

Episode 1- Luis Ortega: the power of Your Story

Episode 2- Dr. Juana Bordas- Our Culture is our Super Power 

Episode 3- Magdaleno (Leno) Rose-Avila- Leading with a sense of Humor 

Episode 4- Denise Collazo- Thriving in the Fight 

Episode 5- Hannah Aguilar & Sophie Szew- Founders of Youth Latinx Leadership Conference (YLLC)

Peter and Tania reflections on Episodes 1-5.

Peter and Tania speak to Hannah and Sophie two powerful young latine leaders. 

Hannah Aguilar and Sohpie Szew were both in high school when they met and began stepping into their leadership. They both supported and encouraged each other while serving as Presidents of their school’s student bodies at majority White student schools. They both shared the same vision to support other Latine student-change makers to form a mentoring networks that fosters cultural pride and supports more students to step into leadership.

While organizing Latine students at their respective schools, they took it further and organized the Youth Latinx Leadership Conference which included hundreds of other Latine youth from across southern California.

Hannah is finishing her senior year of high school where she also serves as President of her schools Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, and is working hard to put on another Youth Latinx Leadership Conference in April.

Sophie also serves as an intern for the U.S. House of Representatives, where she currently works for Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34). She is a mental health and cultural justice advocate, writer, educator, and award winning poet. Her mission is to change the dialogue around marginalized bodies and mental healthcare access. She also serves on Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation as a Youth Advisory Board Member and on the Youth Mental Health Leadership Council (YMHLC) for Mental Health America . I am also very excited to have been selected to present my advocacy work at the MTV mental health Youth action forum in collaboration with the Biden-Harris administration at the White House.

Hannah and Sophie’s work was recently recognized by ltxconnect.org receiving The Voces de la Comunidad award for their work to create a better experience for Latine communities.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=85CT1ThlvNo&t=1s

Peter and Tania talk to Denise about her book Thriving in the Fight

Denise is the Chief of external affairs at Faith in Action (formerly PICO National Network), the nation’s largest faith-based, progressive organizing network, where she has advanced the cause of social justice over the past twenty-five years.

She is a gifted speaker who leaves listeners compelled to take action on how they can act on their purpose. Denise mentors, coaches, and raises funds in collaboration with other women to find the just solutions we so desperately need.

She is a highly relational, authentic leader with a track record of building strong relationships across racial, cultural, faith and gender differences. She has developed and executed complex strategy and project management as demonstrated by her leadership of large, multi-partner winning ballot measures and electoral campaigns at the city, state and national level.

And she is the author of the recent book: Thriving in the Fight;  A Survival Manual for Latinas on the Front Lines of Change.

Information about her book and more can be found at

https://denisecollazo.com/