LeanIn Latinas: Empowering Latinas at Its Best

Yes! I’m still riding a high from the LeanIn Latinas Conference held last month at LinkedIn headquarters in Silicon Valley. What an incredible experience! I am deeply grateful for the powerful and inspiring women who organized such a fantastic event. I have two important things to share: first, Anna Dapelo-Garcia and her team are rockstars! (Team lead by Nancy Marmolejo with Jenny Xochilt Salinas Maria O'Hollearn 'Chelle Peters, PMP Diana Bernal Natalie Perez, MBA (She, Her, Ella) Michelle Lomeli Natalie Thomas Stephanie Montoya-Redlich Dennise Rosas ! Second, conferences like Lean In Latinas can be absolute game changers in the world of business. Here's why:

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Many year ago, I organized my first LeanIn Circle and quickly realized how much we need community to inspire and empower others on a large scale. After reading Sheryl Sandberg' book : Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead , I understood I wasn’t alone in my struggle to be seen and heard in the workplace. Since then, I founded my own company and discovered that, at times, we must create our own spaces to shift company cultures towards building people up, rather than tearing them down. With that in mind, I encourage anyone reading this to start a circle, help one another, and empower more people—especially women—around the world.

At the event (shout out to the fun table!), I not only witnessed an incredible lineup of speakers but also made valuable connections with some truly powerful women in the room. These connections have already opened massive opportunities for both my business and my personal growth. In my opinion, this is the true purpose of such conferences: to support each other, both professionally and personally, and to create an environment where we feel seen, heard, and valued. I certainly felt that way, and for this, I’m incredibly grateful. All my hard work has paid off! Mission accomplished.

Two notable individuals I want to highlight from the conference (aside from the amazing women in the room) are some influential men who were also present. Men who are allies and, in my opinion, have done an exceptional job of empowering women and supporting our efforts to share space in the business world. Frank Carbajal and Refugio A. Atilano were both at the conference, standing in support of the women there. Wow—(mis respetos)! Much respect to both of these men, who have gone out of their way not only to support the LeanIn Latinas' efforts but also my Latinas100? community.

Frank Carbajal will be hosting his very own 13th Annual Silicon Valley Latino Leadership Summit (get your tickets here) , and Refugio Altilano has made major waves in the LinkedIn community as he continues to support and empower. His latest venture, (The Latino Leadership Playbook), is a must-read. You can grab your copy [here](https://a.co/d/hAi37LQ ).

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I also want to give a special shoutout to Leena Mendoza, M.S., who introduced me to Veronica Canton, Esq., CIPP/US/E, CIPM, FIP , who then invited me to the @Cyberspace Awards ceremony, where Veronica won a Cyberspace Award! and then I was introduced to @Kasia Hanson via Veronica yet another superwoman, and that connection wouldn’t have happened without Leanna —a true leader who leads with heart and is an amazing connector. Big shout out!

Oh, and speaking of awards, guess what? I also won one of the raffle prizes at the Lean IN conference YES!—and so did a colleague of mine! Yes, our infamous “fun table” won twice! Just saying, it was the best event ever! of course it would of not been a real Latino event without the "PALETAS MEXICANAS" and YES there was Paletas! Just another reason everyone should attend next year.

To add to the absolutely incredible experience the team also played my "Latinas Stand" song based on one of my poems that was published in my book "i AM Poetry" then later composed by SUNO and then played at the event. Wow super grateful. Listen to Song here :

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Now, let me end with this. I walked away from the LeanIn Latinas Conference with so much more than just the thrill of being in the same room with some incredible people. I walked away with a sense of belonging and a feeling of truly being part of something bigger. Let me tell you, I never felt that in the corporate world, but I sure did at this conference—and that counts for something.

This is a testament to what true leadership looks like: leadership that empowers and leads people forward by giving them the space and the opportunity to connect. The leadership team at LeanIn Latinas has shifted the tide for so many of us, and it doesn’t go unnoticed. I’m so proud to know Anna Dapelo-Garcia and many of the other organizers. May the LeanIn Latinas team continue to find success. I am here as a witness that all your hard work over the years has paid off, and it will continue to. Your dedication has not gone unnoticed. I am grateful, and may God bless each and every one of you! #PalantePaSiempre #Latinas100 #takecharge2024 #leaninlatinas hashtag#latinasequalpayday hashtag#equalpay hashtag#leatinasinhealthcare hashtag#leanincircles

Adriana Rosales, Author, Forbes Coaches Council, CEO Adriana & Company?, Founder of Latinas100? and Publisher at RMPStudio?, HeartMath? Coach, John Maxwell Certified Speaker & Trainer (Adriana's Interview Learn More about her)

Our after party with with our Rosales Mavericks Publishing Studio (RMPStudio) authors and Latinas100? Family!