After a celebratory dinner, I arrived home and carefully set my keys on the entryway table. I took off my graduation gown and laid it over a chair. Then, I opened a small card my professor and mentor had given me earlier in the day and read the simple yet profound message: “Change takes courage.”

At that moment, I paused and reflected on the journey that had led me to this point. The note wasn’t just a reminder of what I had achieved; it was encouragement for the challenges still ahead. My mentor was right—it had taken a tremendous amount of courage to get here, and it would take even more to make the impact I envisioned.

As a native Texan growing up in an underprivileged neighborhood, my family didn’t prioritize education. My grandfathers served in the military, and my father was a peace officer, but college felt like a distant dream—something for someone else. Shortly after turning 18, I found myself completely on my own. Juggling multiple jobs while pursuing school was tough, but I bet everything on myself.

In 2018, I earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of the Incarnate Word, becoming the first in my family to attend and graduate college. That moment shifted my perspective on what was possible and solidified my passion for creating opportunities for others.

“We’re in the final stages of the process,” a lady said over the phone. “But let’s set up an interview.”

That call landed me a role at a prominent financial institution. When I got the offer, I shrieked with excitement, ran around my house, and danced. This was my first civilian role after nearly nine years of public service as a jailer. I poured everything into the job, cultivating a growth mindset and learning to ask the “dumb questions” that helped me thrive.

Since then, I’ve built a successful career in accounting and finance, working across capital markets, real estate, private banking, and mergers and acquisitions. Along the way, I realized my true purpose was to use these skills to advocate for equity and opportunity.

In 2021, I made another bold move: I sold my home and relocated to Austin with no contacts, determined to rebuild yet again. It wasn’t easy, but I quickly found ways to flourish. In 2024, I stepped into public service again, running for school board trustee to fight for equitable education. My campaign was inspired by my oldest daughter—a University of Houston graduate—who saw my passion for serving children like my youngest, a Hispanic, dyslexic student from a single-parent household. That campaign reaffirmed my commitment to breaking cycles of poverty and creating lasting change for families.

Today, I am a mother, real estate agent, community leader, and mentor. I have raised my children independently and fully understand the economic and educational challenges faced by single-parent families. These experiences fuel my advocacy for quality education and my mission to empower others. I’m also writing a book on leadership to inspire women to find the courage to lead with confidence and purpose.

On weekends, you’ll find me spending time with family and our two dogs, Blake and Dolly. I volunteer with nonprofits, enjoy live music, brunch with friends, and travel with my portable hammock in tow. If you’d like to follow my journey as a leader and advocate for change, subscribe to my newsletter!