Here’s some math for today. When you add Grit + Honesty + Intelligence + Leadership you get Johanna López. In this episode of I HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY, I invite our new Human Impact Strategist at URBANDER to share her experience transitioning from having a career working 100% in the public service and nonprofit sectors to now also embarking into business since she’s joined our team a few months ago. Key takeaways include that her experience as an educator, Orange County Public School board member and former Executive Director of a nonprofit has value (like she needs to get paid – no more freebies) and all the knowledge she’s gained is transferrable to business.

We talk about how advocacy work in whatever space (corporate, government, community) requires boldness and brutally honest conversations which oftentimes gets criticized and minimized when it’s done by women, even worse for women of color, and worst yet for women of color with an accent like Johanna’s. Chances are that if we are too outspoken, we will be tagged a “bitch” or angry woman.

Johanna has enjoyed her #internbitch with me these past three months learning to navigate different spaces now as a businesswoman. It has afforded her certain freedoms she hasn’t experienced before, and she’s come to realize the value she brings to the table, helping her set healthy boundaries for her to grow professionally, personally, and as a leader. Johanna López is now running for House Representative of the Florida State Legislature (District 43), and she shares the “what’s next” of her advocacy work for social justice causes when she’s in Tallahassee: https://www.votejohannalopez.com