S5 Ep63: “In the room where it happens” A conversation with Fenton’s CEO Valerie De La Garza on leadership resilience and diversifying boardrooms.

Join us as we welcome the remarkable Valerie De La Garza, a trailblazing Latina and the pioneering CEO of Fenton, a social justice and impact PR agency. Valerie shares her compelling journey from the working-class neighborhoods of Southeast Los Angeles to becoming a beacon of leadership in the communications field. Her narrative, deeply rooted in her 11th generation Chicana heritage, sheds light on the racial, economic, and educational disparities that have fueled her commitment to social change.

In this episode, we discuss the C-Suite and Boardroom representation when it comes to looking for Latinos and Latinas outside our familiar networks. This discussion serves as a call to action for bravery in stepping out of comfort zones, confronting the often risk-averse nature of organizations, and dismantling the cycle of sameness that hampers true diversity, especially within the public relations industry.

Rounding off our conversation, we delve into the challenges facing democracy and the responsibilities we all share in advocating for social justice. Valerie brings her insights on the legacy of Unidos and the significance of representation and voting rights in today's complex political landscape. Furthermore, we reflect on the success of initiatives like Homeboy Industries and the transformative power of storytelling and community action. I am especially grateful to have Valerie share her experience from the board of Homeboy Industries, illustrating the monumental shift from intentions to actions that can reshape communities globally. Tune in for a powerful discussion that will leave you inspired to engage, vote, and be a part of the change you wish to see in the world. 

Highlights:
(00:00 - 00:46) Latina Success in Media and PR
(07:29 - 08:37) Navigating Educational Opportunities for Latinos
(18:26 - 19:09) Diversity Challenges in PR Industry and Boardrooms
(25:53 - 27:21) Addressing Homelessness, Voting and Social Responsibility
(34:51 - 35:25) Global Community Action and Impact Through Homeboy Industries

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Podcast production by Theresa E. Gonzales and Audio Engineered by Robert Lopez. 
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