In The Community
Genny Castillo
Image Credits: Genny Castillo
Genny Castillo is the Deputy Director of the Southern Economic Advancement Project (SEAP) and is known for her leadership in policy and community engagement. Since January 2024, Genny has led SEAP in its mission to support innovative policy research and bridge gaps across the South. Her role involves connecting communities with crucial resources and driving impactful local programming.
SEAP is dedicated to addressing pressing regional issues, with a focus on addressing the impacts of climate change and extreme weather on Southern communities, ensuring all Southerners have access to basic needs like food, housing, and transportation. SEAP also advocates for policies that promote healthy living and access to quality care.
Genny’s career is defined by her dedication to public service and leadership. Before her current role, she served as the Regional Engagement Director for SEAP from 2019 to 2024 and was the COO of the BLUE Institute, which trains young people of color for leadership in electoral campaigns. Genny’s experience includes her impactful role as the Latinx Constituency Director for the Democratic Party of Georgia during the 2018 campaign cycle, and as Director of Caucus Services, she developed a highly successful state legislative caucus internship program.
This dynamic Latina has made empowering and elevating her community the center of her professional life, leaving a lasting impact for generations to come.
Maria Urbina
Image Credits: Mari Urbina
Maria Urbina, Managing Director of Indivisible and of Nicaraguan descent, has made major strides in progressive politics. Her role at Indivisible, a movement born out of resistance to the Trump agenda, highlights her lifetime commitment to grassroots activism and political reform.
Indivisible is a grassroots movement made up of everyday people determined to reshape American democracy to be more inclusive. It started as the “Indivisible Guide,” a Google doc that explained how to resist Trump’s agenda in 2016. Since then, it has grown into a nationwide movement where members come together in their local communities to call representatives, go to rallies, etc. While small, their actions build up a lot of political power at the local level to move the needle. The overall goal is to build a democracy that reflects the interests of everyone, not just the interests of a powerful few.
Maria's career is marked by her strategic and impactful roles in politics. Before joining Indivisible, she was Vice President of Politics and Campaigns at Voto Latino, overseeing national campaigns and voter engagement. Her experience also includes seven years as a senior advisor to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D- NV) and various political engagement roles in Senate races and President Obama’s re-election campaign.
Her expertise in strategy, messaging, and policy, especially for Latinx, AAPI, and immigrant communities, earns her regular appearances on news channels like MSNBC and Univision, making her one of the few Latina faces we see on broadcast news But through sustained representation for Latinx voices, Maria’s example provides hope that more will follow in her footsteps.
Sarah Audelo
Image Credits: Sarah Audelo
Sarah Audelo’s career reflects her unwavering dedication to youth empowerment and social justice. As the former Executive Director of the Alliance for Youth Action, Sarah led the nation’s largest youth grassroots organizing network, focusing on building political power among young people across the United States.
The Alliance for Youth Action is renowned for its work in empowering young people, particularly those from marginalized communities, to take on leadership roles, promoting involvement in political processes and advocacy, and addressing economic justice, reproductive rights, LGBTQ rights, and more.
Sarah’s career includes serving as Hillary Clinton’s Millennial Vote Director in the 2016 election and working with organizations like Advocates for Youth and Generation Progress. After graduating from Georgetown University, she began her career as a special education teacher with Teach for America in the Rio Grande Valley.
Currently, Sarah is the Deputy Advocacy Director at the Open Society Foundations, where she supports global efforts for justice, democratic governance, and human rights. This makes Sarah one of the few Latinas in a decision-making position in the philanthropy world. To put that into perspective, according to the 2022 Diversity Among Philanthropic Professionals Report, only an estimated 6.6% of Latinos hold board positions in philanthropy, compared to 52.8% of white people in those positions.
Her work at Open Society Foundations continues to advance bold, democratic solutions to critical challenges, especially in marginalized communities that are historically underinvested in by philanthropy. To that point, a 2022 survey titled “Financial Challenges of Nonprofits Serving People of Color,” found that nonprofits serving or led by people of color face greater financial struggles due to lower funding from donations and grants.
“Our study pushes the field to acknowledge that the nonprofit sector is not race-neutral and understanding the racial/ethnic barriers at the institutional level is key to addressing the issues of under-resourced POC nonprofits. The structural barriers make it necessary for interventions at the institutional level because it is harder for individual nonprofits or leaders to overcome resource challenges,” stated authors Mirae Kim and Bo Li.
Yadira Sanchez
Image Credits: Yadira Sanchez
Yadira Sanchez is a prominent Mexican advocate for Latinx civic empowerment, serving as the Executive Director and co-founder of Poder Latinx. This organization is dedicated to building Latinx political power through innovative strategies and community engagement. They do this by getting people involved in voting, educating them about important issues, and developing young leaders who can drive real change in their communities. They started as a small team in Florida, but they now have a presence in states like Arizona, California, Georgia, Texas, and Washington.
The Poder Latinx mission is to build a country where the Latino community is represented and their voices are heard, so they help Latinos become informed advocates for justice and democracy. This way, no matter what challenges they face, the community can stand strong and protected.
Yadira’s previous role as Development Director for Mi Familia Vota involved raising over 20 million dollars for the organization and expanding their partnerships to boost civic participation. Her leadership includes experience serving on the boards of nonprofits like Dialogue on Diversity, dedicated to social and political advancement; Family Values @ Work Action, dedicated to building political power among marginalized voters; and Western Resource Advocates, dedicated to fighting the climate crisis.
Yadira’s work hasn’t gone unnoticed. She was recognized as a 2021 American Express Ngen Fellow and a 40 under 40 honoree by the American Association of Political Consultants. Yadira’s only getting started. She has many more years ahead of her for her leadership to continue to shape the future of Latinx civic engagement and political power.
Tory Gavito
Image Credits: Tory Gavito
Victoria "Tory" Gavito is a trailblazer in political strategy and advocacy, known for her role as President of Way to Win. This national hub for donors uses a data-informed approach to political funding, aiming to advance transformative policies to build lasting structural power for marginalized communities.
Way to Win’s work is focused on strengthening political infrastructure by investing in grassroots organizations at the state level, promoting policies that drive social and economic equity, and shaping public discourse to support progressive causes. Their mission is to disrupt conventional politics by connecting funders and organizers, addressing systemic issues, and leveraging a broad network for meaningful change in ways that are creative, efficient, and ultimately, transformative.
As if building an entirely new funding organization wasn’t enough, Tory’s career also includes founding the Texas Future Project and the Texas Future Project Research Center, where she led the development of strategies to put Texas on a pathway to becoming a battleground state and thus, competitive for Democrats to be able to win local, state, and federal elections there. Her background as an attorney advocating for workers’ rights and her inspiration from her grandmother, an immigrant from Mexico, underscores her dedication to movement-building and explains what fuels her fire - reasons that many Latinas can relate to.
Did you miss an installment of the Latinas Who Lead series? Make sure to catch up and find even more inspiring Latinas:
5 Latina Activists Disrupting the Political Status Quo
- 5 Latine LGBTQ+ Game Changers ›
- 5 Latina Activists Disrupting the Political Status Quo ›
- Nathalie Molina Niño on Why Latinas Belong in Boardrooms—and How to Get There - Luz Media ›
Katherine Archuleta
Photo by Katherine Archuleta on LinkedIn
Photo by Katherine Archuleta on LinkedIn
Katherine Archuleta's entire career has been dedicated to public service, and her deep commitment to others is an inspiration for Latinas and anyone, really, who wants to work in politics to make a difference. Beginning as an elementary school teacher in Denver, Archuleta quickly transitioned to influential roles in local government, serving under Denver Mayors Federico Peña and John Hickenlooper. Her journey in public administration reached new heights when she served as Deputy Chief of Staff and later Chief of Staff at the U.S. Department of Transportation and as Senior Advisor at the U.S. Department of Energy during the Clinton Administration.
Archuleta's groundbreaking appointment by President Barack Obama in 2013 as the first Latina to lead the U.S. Office of Personnel Management was a significant milestone in her career. In this role, she oversaw the recruitment, hiring, and development of federal workers, impacting the lives of thousands across the nation.
Archuleta is also the co-founder of the Colorado Latina Initiative, and she has been instrumental in implementing voter engagement programs that have empowered Latina and marginalized voters. Her work has been recognized nationally and locally, including her induction into the Colorado Women's Hall of Fame in 2020. Today, she continues to serve on various boards, including the Denver Urban Renewal Authority, Conservation Colorado, and Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains. Her dedication to public service is an inspiration to future generations of Latinas looking to pursue impactful careers in public policy.
Rosie Castro
Maria del Rosario "Rosie" Castro’s life is also a dedication to public service and activism. Raised in a San Antonio “barrio,” Castro was deeply influenced by the racial and economic disparities she witnessed growing up. Her passion for social justice led her to Our Lady of the Lake University, where she began her journey in activism with the Young Democrats. Castro's career as a civil rights activist and educator is marked by her involvement in several prominent organizations, including the Mexican American Youth Organization and the Raza Unida Party.
Her dedication to improving her community saw her run for San Antonio City Council in 1971, a campaign that laid the groundwork for future Latina political leaders. In 2023, at the age of 75 and 52 years after she first ran, Castro was appointed as the interim councilperson for San Antonio's District 7. Her appointment is a testament to her commitment to civil rights and activism, which has also influenced her sons Julian and Joaquin Castro, who both pursued careers in politics.
Julian is a lawyer who served as mayor of San Antonio from 2008 until 2014, when he joined Obama’s cabinet. Julian later ran for President in the 202o election cycle, where now President Joe Biden ultimately prevailed in the crowded primary field. Joaquin, Julian’s twin brother, is a Congressman in Texas's 20th district and serves on the United States House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the United States House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
Castro’s activism and grit haven’t only influenced her sons, but have also inspired countless others in her community. To this day, her work emphasizes the importance of representation and the power of community engagement.
María Elena Salinas
Photo by CPJ Photos on Flickr
Photo by CPJ Photos on Flickr
María Elena Salinas is a trailblazer in journalism. She built a successful career based on her commitment to delivering trustworthy news that resonates with the Latino community. Born to Mexican immigrants in Los Angeles, Salinas' career began at KMEX-TV, the Univision affiliate in Los Angeles, in 1981. She quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the co-anchor of Noticiero Univision and co-host of “Aquí y Ahora.”
Throughout her career, María Elena has interviewed countless influential figures, including Latin American heads of state and U.S. presidents. Her work has earned her the title "Voice of Hispanic America," which reflects her impact on journalism. But her impact doesn’t stop at her work product. Salinas was also a stark departure from the scantily clad, usually white women scattered throughout the network. For young bilingual women growing up with Univision, Salinas was a vivid reminder that women were capable of more than just being paraded around for the male gaze.
Salinas’ departure from Univision in 2017 marked the end of an era, but she continues to make her mark on journalism as a contributor for CBS News and ABC News. Her dedication to journalism and her community also translates into her philanthropic efforts, including her involvement with the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and the Hispanic Scholarship Fund. Salinas continues to break barriers in the male-dominated, white-dominated space of journalism, offering an example of journalism integrity and paving the way for future generations of Latina journalists.
Linda Chavez-Thompson
Photo by Linda Chavez-Thompson on Facebook
Linda Chavez-Thompson’s journey from a labor organizer to a national labor leader is nothing short of remarkable. Born to a Mexican-American family in Lubbock, Texas, Chavez-Thompson began her career as a secretary at the Construction Laborer's Local 1253. Her passion for labor rights quickly allowed her to reach leadership roles within the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME).
In 1995, Linda made history as the first person of color elected to one of the top three positions in the AFL-CIO, serving as Executive Vice President until 2007. Her leadership and advocacy for workers' rights have had a profound impact on the labor movement, particularly for Latino and female workers. Chavez-Thompson’s influence extends beyond her union work; she has also served as vice chair of the Democratic National Committee and on the board of the United Way of America.
Her candidacy for Lieutenant Governor of Texas in 2010 is just another example of her dedication to public service. Linda Chavez-Thompson’s entire career was dedicated to improving the lives of workers and advocating for equal opportunities. Within the labor rights space, she’s a Latina figure who truly stands out as inspiring and impactful. At 79 years old, she continues to contribute to the labor rights movement as a thought leader and trailblazer. Her latest appearance was at the Texas AFL-CIO Women’s Summit 2024.
Maria Contreras-Sweet
Photo by The SBA on Wikimedia Commons
Photo by The SBA on Wikimedia Commons
Maria Contreras-Sweet is another trailblazing Latina leader who has made her mark in both public service and business. Born in Guadalajara, Mexico, Contreras-Sweet immigrated to Los Angeles, California, at a young age, and that’s where she would carve out a career based on advocacy and innovation. With a bachelor's degree from California State University, Contreras-Sweet went into public service, entrepreneurship, and corporate leadership.
She founded the ProAmérica Bank in 2006 to empower small to medium businesses, nonprofit organizations, and professional services firms, particularly within the Latino community. ProAmérica Bank was acquired by Pacific Commerce in 2015. Contreras-Sweet also ventured into private equity with Rockway Equity Partners, focusing on technology, manufacturing, and infrastructure investments.
Contreras-Sweet’s impact reached new heights when she was appointed by President Barack Obama as the 24th Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) from 2014 to 2017. In this role, she facilitated access to capital, technical assistance, and federal contracts. Her tenure was marked by groundbreaking initiatives that modernized the SBA and expanded its global market reach, resulting in record-breaking achievements in lending and contracting support for small businesses.
Before her federal appointment, Contreras-Sweet held pivotal positions in California state government, notably serving as Secretary of the Business, Transportation, and Housing Agency under Governor Gray Davis. Beyond her corporate and governmental roles, Contreras-Sweet is the founding director of The California Endowment and Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE).
These five remarkable women have excelled in their fields and paved the way for future generations of Latinas who want to follow in their footsteps or choose any path of their own. Trailblazing women are often forgotten in the footnotes of history, but by keeping their work alive, we remind others how far we’ve come and also how much further we can go.
Stay tuned for the next installment of our “Latinas Who Lead” series, where we continue to celebrate the incredible achievements of Latina women of incredible power and impact.
- 5 Latine LGBTQ+ Game Changers ›
- 5 Latina Activists Disrupting the Political Status Quo ›
- National Latina Day Started With This Latina - Luz Media ›
