06/05/2025

Breaking In, Not Just Breaking Through

A Latina’s first 30 days in executive leadership

#HighHeelsHigherGoals

It took over a year of steady effort and quiet persistence to break through. To finally be seen not as someone who might step into an executive role someday, but as someone who belonged there. Becoming an executive director was the result of myriad years of experience and hard-earned trust.

I'd taken on leadership roles before. Years ago, I took over for a beloved legacy figure in the field. Everywhere I turned, I heard, "Wow, you've got some big shoes to fill." I started responding with, "No, I don't. He wore loafers. I wear four-inch heels."

That moment sparked something. #HighHeelsHigherGoals became a mindset. The heels are a reminder of how I show up: unapologetically Latina and driven by purpose. If you’ve seen someone clacking confidently through the entire ASAE Annual Meeting in heels, that was probably me. However, it’s one thing to break a glass ceiling. It’s another thing to walk across the shards in heels.

Please select this link to read the complete article from ASAE’s Center for Association Leadership.