Felida Villarreal understands firsthand the cultural and familial expectations of the Rio Grande Valley residents.

The powerhouse nonprofit leader grew up in the region, earned her degrees at the local university, and continues to empower residents to achieve their own success right in the valley through VIDA and its training programs.

Villarreal stepped into the president and CEO role before the age of thirty and has made significant strides for an already strong regional nonprofit in the past three years. She’s grown VIDA’s budget, staff, and program participants. She secured federal funding in partnership with other local organizations to address the nursing labor shortage.

And she’s not slowing down. Villarreal found her own success and purpose in the Rio Grande Valley, and through VIDA, she’s creating paths for others to do the same.