You know what a tweet does? It changes lives. Elianne Ramos aka @ergeekgoddess and Latism.org Vice-Chair sent me a link of the NHLI (National Hispana Leadership Institute) conference she was attending and speaking in the hopes of maybe getting together afterwards. Well, my curious mind wanted to know more. As I read the conference agenda brimming with talented women from every walk of life, I knew I wanted to attend….. and am so glad I did. I actually volunteered to help them and ended up assisting them with their social media efforts (ie. live tweeting with pictures, video testimonials, etc.)
This year the conference celebrated The Latina Mosaic: Strength In Diversity, which highlighted how Latinas are changing the social fabric of the United States and how their leadership is creating a diverse America.
When you see a celebrity, they say you are “star struck,” meaning you are struck with their shining light. Well, that is because they are out in the limelight, visibly seen by millions. I was “leadership struck” at NHLI. The combined talent of women present at this conference could change the world for the better in a matter of minutes! Check for yourself the roster of women speakers and the agenda at the NHLI website just so this blog post doesn’t become a book. Seriously, the bio’s of just these women who were honorees this year are worthy of a book in itself:
- Maria Elena Toraño, Co-Founder of NHLI and Chair Emeritus and Former Presidential Appointee to the U.S. Commission of Public Diplomacy
- Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinan, Legislative Award Recipient
- Janet Murguia, NCLR President and CEO, National Mujer Award Recipient
- Remedios Diaz- Oliver, President, All American Containers Inc, Regional Mujer Award Recipient
- Maria Elena Salinas, Journalist and News Anchor, Univision, Chair’s Award Recipient
Other distinctions and awards were given to Ambassador Carmen Lomellin, Alumna of the Year; Rising Stars highlighting Latinas under 30, Gaby Pacheco, Immigration activist and student leader, Maria Isa Perez, Hip-Hop artist and social activist.
But it wasn’t just these few women that got me “leadership struck.” It was the young women who are reaching for the stars, learning, educating themselves for a brighter future and wishing to be change agents. It was the past alumni who consistently spoke of the real hermanas (sisterhood) and bond they formed by taking the Executive Leadership Program.
It was the openness and sharing of wisdom from lessons learned in the corporate and global world, hearing the trials and tribulations they faced, and yet in spite of obstacles, they persisted. This is true inspiration and I sincerely wish to take this Leadership Program and hopefully lead the way with my own message.
I have some more video clips from the conference which I will be sharing soon. I wish I could have captured it all but at least the experience is embedded in my heart. Because of this conference, my heart was sparked in a big way, just as the other conferences I have attended recently (Blogher and Blogalicious) have lit different aspects of myself. I feel all these experiences have come into my path as a way to keep coaxing my heart to keep going….and I will. Thank you NHLI for inspiring ME.
You can see more pictures of the conference on NHLI Fan Page
My Pictures of the Conference:
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