Lean In Latinas Los Angeles: Moving Forward with Intention Summit
Some experiences are worth pausing to name.
I attended the Lean In Latinas Los Angeles summit entitled Moving Forward with Intention. It was a half-day gathering built entirely on the dedication of volunteers who believe that Latinas deserve spaces designed specifically for their growth. There was no corporate budget. Not one paid staff person who was driving the agenda. What I experienced were people who cared, showing up to create something meaningful for their community.
That context matters, because it shaped everything about the room. And that venue was gorgeous. There was food, coffee, water, a DJ, and plenty of other support thanks to the generosity of sponsors.
What I walked into was not a networking event with a breakout session tacked on. I experienced connection. It was a real, genuine connection. The agenda was focused on growth. The women that showed up were there to learn about themselves, and in doing so, they ended up sharing with one another. It was about who they are as people first. Who they are as professionals came second. That distinction is not small. It is the difference between a transaction and a relationship, between surface-level engagement and the kind of community that actually feeds you.
In the work I do supporting organizations through change, I often highlight the gap between stated values and lived culture. Intention is where that gap either widens or closes. What I witnessed at this summit was a room full of women practicing intention in real time. No one was performing or waiting for permission. They chose to invest in themselves and in each other. I felt power in that.
As Director of Circles for Lean In Latinas, I have the privilege of supporting peer-led communities where Latinas come together regularly to share their workplace experiences, navigate challenges, and lift one another forward. Our work as volunteers is grounded in a clear, urgent objective: closing the gender wage gap. Circles are how we make that mission personal. They are where the data becomes a conversation, and the conversation turns into action.
Change happens at two levels: the person and the system. I work at both.
For the individual, community is the infrastructure that makes long-term growth possible. It sustains the kind of intentional, values-driven work that does not always make headlines but absolutely shapes outcomes. For organizations, that same principle applies. Culture does not change because leadership declares that it should. It changes when the systems, structures, and practices that surround people are deliberately designed to support who they are and what is possible.
That is the throughline between everything I do whether I am supporting Circle Leaders or partnering with an agency to build more equitable, effective systems from the inside out.
Moving forward with intention is not a one-time declaration. It is a daily practice, and it is so much easier when you are not doing it alone.
For the individuals: Lean In Latinas is a global network built for Latinas who are ready to grow, lead, and close the gap. Whether you are looking for community, mentorship, or sponsorship, this network was built with you in mind. Join us! Refer a woman in your life who is ready to be seen, supported, and challenged to reach further. Reach out to me directly to learn more about Circles or to get connected to Lean In Latinas.
For organizations and leaders: If you are doing the difficult work of building a work culture where women like the ones in that room can actually thrive, that is exactly what we do at rfc21. From leadership development to organizational support, we partner with agencies and organizations ready to move from intention to innovation. Let's talk.
Hit the button below or send us an email today so we can get started: team@rfc21.com
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