Leadership often begins with a moment of awareness that something in the system is not working. In this conversation, Laura Gisborne speaks with Diana Maldonado about the journey from community advocate to state legislator. Maldonado shares how early experiences with education inequality shaped her commitment to service and how that mission led her into politics.
The discussion also explores the realities of campaign fundraising, the importance of values-driven leadership, and the creation of Candidate School, an initiative designed to prepare women for public office. Through mentorship and practical training, Maldonado aims to help more women confidently step into policymaking and community leadership.
What You’ll Hear:
- How Diana Maldonado’s early experiences with education inequality sparked a lifelong commitment to public service.
- The unexpected journey from community leadership and school board service into running for the Texas legislature.
- Why campaign fundraising can feel unfamiliar to many women and how confidence grows through experience.
- The lessons learned from raising nearly one million dollars during a first major political campaign.
- How the East Williamson County Higher Education Center became a lasting legacy of Maldonado’s legislative work.
- The vision behind Candidate School and its mission to prepare more women for political leadership.
Resources:
- Claim Your Friday Gift: Tools to Make Business Easier
- Strategize Your Next Best Step: Schedule a Clarity Conversation with Laura
Featured Guest: Diana Maldonado
Diana Maldonado, a respected Central Texas political figure, has built a career on achieving the “impossible” while fostering lasting relationships. As a best-selling author, she shares stories from her journey in politics, travel and marathon running through the lens of a Latina.
Diana’s focus is helping women get elected to public office to bring parity, voice and representation to the halls of democracy through the Candidate School. Her meticulously curated daily lessons provide insights into becoming a compelling, influential, and genuine candidate, as she imparts knowledge gained from her own campaign experience. From mastering your candidate identity to managing money, policy and power, these lessons help you navigate your journey to winning office and owning your future with confidence.
As the first Latina elected to represent Williamson County in the House of Representatives, she advocated for education, business, and safe communities. In this role, she authored/co-authored 88 bills and was named “Freshman of the Year” by her colleagues. Through her collaboration with key stakeholders, she secured nearly $16 million for education, $10 million for road expansion, and additional funds for renewable energy initiatives and walking trails in parks. She served as Secretary for the Mexican American Legislative Caucus, Defense & Veterans Affairs, and on the coveted State Affairs committee.
From her six years on the Round Rock ISD Board of Trustees and elected by her peers as president and first Latina to this role, Maldonado oversaw a successful $349 million bond election while improving academic outcomes and goals. Post politics, she worked as a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley where her focus was on women and wealth. Maldonado went on to lead as President & CEO at the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce where she successfully led membership engagement, policy initiatives and revenue diversification efforts. She expanded advocacy in the contributions Latinos make in business and consumer markets as the largest demographic in the United States with a GDP at $3.6 trillion.
Diana is a global marathon runner with races in Tokyo, Berlin, London, Paris and mom of two adult children, Alex and Denise, and spends time with her granddaughter, Camila where she taps into her greatest joy.
Meet the Host:
Laura Gisborne, founder of Limitless Women, empowers female entrepreneurs to create businesses that are both profitable and purposeful. With 30+ years of experience, from building multi-million dollar enterprises to guiding small businesses, Laura understands the challenges of scaling beyond solopreneurship. She's a sought-after speaker, business growth strategist, and author of "Stop the Spinning – Move from Surviving to Thriving" and "Limitless Women." Laura's focus is on mindset, authentic leadership, and integrating social impact into business models. The Limitless Women community has raised over $750,000 for charities, reflecting Laura's commitment to "profits with purpose."
Follow Laura
- Website: https://limitlesswomen.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/LimitlessWomenGroup/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/limitless.women/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauragisborne/
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