What brings you to CompassPoint?

“I’m an office manager at Tenants Together, California’s only statewide organization for renters’ rights. In my role, I wear a lot of hats, including facilitating our staff and department
meetings. I really enjoy working with Compass Point. In addition to attending workshops on
occasion, I’m also a member of the HR Network. It’s a lifesaver. The HR listserve is especially
helpful; I get to ask all my hard questions and connect with a great group of people.”

What motivated you to get involved in your line of work?

“I was first motivated to get involved in youth development and policy work by an urge and sense of responsibility to reverse some of the damage I contributed to as a youth involved in violence and the underground street economy. I am now motivated to address the root causes of intergenerational violence and poverty at an interpersonal, societal, and systemic level.”

Who is someone who has inspired you in your career?

“In my career, I have been inspired by all people who stand in solidarity with the most oppressed. Someone who does this with the love I strive to live up to is mi abuelita (my grandmother) Antonia Flores.”

What’s been your biggest takeaway from the TAY program?

“My biggest takeaway from the TAY Leadership Development Program is that leadership is not really about a position or authority, but a process of change to be engaged in by all people from all walks of life. I loved this!”

What keeps you connected to CompassPoint?

“I’ve worked with CompassPoint for more than 20 years – as a colleague, funder, interim executive director in 2006-07, and for the last six years as a board member. For me, the only thing more compelling than the exceptionally talented and passionate staff and board, is the successful execution of our Theory of Change – a bold vision to achieve social equity through partnerships across nonprofit leaders, organizations, and networks and a 100% commitment to growing a healthy pipeline of diverse leaders for the sector’s future.”

What’s one thing that might surprise people about CompassPoint that they might not know?

I think how funny people are here. CompassPoint can come across as really serious because there are a lot of high achievers here. People are really just fun and funny and creative. I think if people knew the breadth of practical jokes that happen here, they’d really appreciate that.

What’s an exciting challenge you’re eager to take on?

There’s a connection between letting things go and letting things emerge from the group— where the group wants to go, how they want to bond, what they want to get out of the experience, so I think that’s exciting about the program for leaders in the racial justice field that we’re working on with the Akonadi Foundation. There’s an aspect of co-designing the program with participants.

What’s the most exciting part of your job?

“I get to work with young people who have chosen education as their vehicle to success. I work with young people who are motivated and truly believe in education as an equalizer and give that 110% despite a lot of obstacles and not seeing a lot of successful templates in their community. The way they forge ahead is amazing and inspiring and it gets me out of bed.”

What’s been a takeaway from going through the NGLC program?

“It truly is a mindset shift to really step into power. A lot of times we get in our own way which prevents us from stepping into and fully utilizing our unique strengths and talents and tapping our full potential. That’s been a huge takeaway and I’ve been working on that so I’m a better resource for myself, my students, and the team I support.”