There are moments in your career that stop you in your tracks — not because of what was on the agenda, but because of what you felt in the room.
Recently, I had the honor of attending the UNITED LATINAS Brave Voices Conference in Charlotte NC, and I left with a full heart.
I had the privilege of speaking on the panel "Rewriting the Path: Navigating Career Pivots & Reinventions" alongside the remarkable Ilka Rodriguez and Rosanna Scarpati, moderated by the incredible Lisseth Zouhbi. We talked about what it really looks like to bet on yourself — the fear, the clarity, and the courage it takes to rewrite your own story.
I also had the honor of moderating "Rewriting the Leadership Playbook" — a conversation that reminded me why this work matters. Dianne Chipps Bailey Melanie Rodriguez, PhD, PCC and Refugio A. Atilano brought wisdom, candor, and power to a room full of women who needed to hear every word.
Here's what moved me most: being in a space where Latina excellence wasn't the exception — it was the entire room.
The numbers back up what we felt:
- Latinas are the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. labor force
- Latina-owned businesses generate over $97 billion in revenue annually
- Hispanic women's economic contributions continue to reshape industries across the country
And yet — we are still underrepresented in boardrooms, on keynote stages, and at decision-making tables.
Conferences like Brave Voices aren't just inspiring. They are necessary.
Thank you to United Latinas Ilhiana Rojas Saldana, ACC, CDVC and Sandra Noemi Torres for creating this space. I'm already thinking about what I'll carry forward.
To see more pics from the event, check out Lora Denton's photo collection here: https://lnkd.in/eTdxHRpE
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