Stephanie Valencia - Thinking Audaciously

On this episode of Here to Lead, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar, representative of Texas' 16th congressional district, shares the joy she experienced growing up in multicultural communities, which contributed to her love of learning. She recounts how her start in politics was unplanned, yet became a full commitment. Tune in to hear her discuss how embracing the uncertainty of life, being adaptable, and engaging with your community can help you better -- and more strategically -- navigate your personal and professional paths.

On this episode of Here to Lead, Elisa Villanueva Beard, the CEO of Teach For America, talks about the impact of mentorship and encouragement, particularly when it comes to getting to the next step on your path. Elisa illustrates her commitment to educational excellence for all kids, and inspires people to find passion in their work.

On this episode of Here to Lead, Xavier Gutierrez returns to discuss his decision to transition into leadership with the Arizona Coyotes hockey team despite reservations and the journey to transform it from a sports team into a beloved organization. He talks about how passion, diversity, influence, and consistent acts of leadership can make a huge impact.

On this episode of Here to Lead, Xavier Gutierrez, the first Latino president and CEO in the National Hockey League, shares his journey of carving his path to success, empowered by his family and mentors' belief in his potential. Even after hitting a highly publicized low point, Xavier has experienced the power of resilience. In this episode, he speaks to how even significant challenges can forge a path for us to leverage opportunities for greater success.

On this episode of Here to Lead, Senator Alex Padilla -- the first Latino Senator elected to represent California in the United States Senate and member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus -- talks about what motivated him to take leaps of faith at the beginning of his civic career. From honoring his parents' sacrifices to committing to authentic representation in his community, he underscores the importance of acting in alignment with personal values.

On this episode of Here to Lead, Mildred Otero, President of Leadership for Educational Equity, talks about tenacity and effective leadership. She details what it takes to mold great public servants, including investing in learning opportunities, facing challenges head-on, and valuing the dignity of work at all levels of influence.  

On this episode of Here to Lead, CHCI Chairman and Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) sits with Marco Davis to share his journey of coming to the United States from the Dominican Republic to eventually becoming the first formerly undocumented immigrant to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives. He tells us what pushed him to serve in leadership roles and how his persistence helped him overcome many of the obstacles that stood in his way.

On this episode of Here to Lead, Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Programs and Content at Warner Bros. Discovery Yvette Urbina shares the culture shock she experienced when leaving California for college. She also speaks to us about the importance of representation in the media and the work being done both in front of and behind the camera to tell authentic stories.

On this episode of Here to Lead, Fin Gomez, political director for CBS News and the first Latino journalist to ever serve on the White House Correspondents Association's board, joins Marco Davis to talk about his upbringing and what led him to be the successful journalist he is today. You'll hear about his experience working on a number of  presidential cycles and the importance of Latino representation in media, specifically the need for Latino journalists in politics.

On this episode of Here to Lead, CHCI Public Policy Fellowship alumna Stephanie Valencia sits down with Marco Davis to talk about her audacious vision and big ideas. It is that audacious vision that led her to co-found a new Hispanic media company called the Latino Media Network; co-found Equis Labs, an organization that invests in leaders and ideas that will create a more active, powerful Latino electorate; and co-found Poderistas, one the fastest growing digital communities created by and for Latinas.