From the Dominican Republic to Corporate Leadership: My Story of Resilience, Identity & Purpose
From Dominican Roots to HR Leadership: A Journey Built on Resilience, Culture, and Purpose
I was born in the Dominican Republic and raised in New York City—a combination of cultures, values, and life lessons that shaped not only who I am but also how I lead. The immigrant journey taught me early what sacrifice looks like, what resilience feels like, and how determination can build a future even when the path is unclear.
Those early experiences became the foundation of my professional life. Today, I serve as a People Partner Manager at Amadeus, a role that allows me to support people, advise leaders, and help shape organizational culture. Before joining Amadeus, I spent nearly eight years at TravelClick, growing from HR Coordinator to Compensation & Benefits Manager. My career has been defined by continuous growth, intentional learning, and a deep commitment to people.
My Greatest Purpose: Being a Mother
Of all the titles I’ve held, the one that brings me the greatest pride is “Mom.” I am the proud mother of three incredible children, all currently in college, each building their own future with drive and determination. Watching them evolve into strong, intelligent, capable young adults has been the honor of my life.
Their achievements inspire me. Their character grounds me. Their dreams fuel my purpose. Balancing motherhood and a career taught me patience, empathy, and strength—qualities that transcend the home and shape my leadership style. My children are my “why,” the reason I strive to be better, push through challenges, and show them that with resilience and integrity, anything is possible.
I also owe my strength to the greatest women in my life—my mother and sister—whose love, wisdom, and resilience paved the way for the woman and leader I am today.
Leadership Lessons from My Journey
- Cultural Identity Is a Superpower: Growing up Dominican in New York City gave me a unique perspective on diversity, humanity, and connection. In HR, the ability to understand people across cultures is invaluable.
- Resilience Outperforms Comfort: The immigrant experience requires constant adaptation. Every challenge taught me to pivot, learn, and keep moving forward—a mindset that has shaped my growth as a leader.
- Leadership Begins with People: True leadership isn’t measured by title. It’s measured by trust, empathy, and the ability to see someone’s potential before they see it in themselves.
- Growth Never Stops: My academic foundation in Human Resource Management, combined with years of experience across multiple HR disciplines, taught me that evolution is ongoing. The best leaders are students first.
The H.E.A.R.T. Leadership Framework
H — Humanity: Lead with empathy and compassion. See people beyond their job titles.
E — Empowerment: Create space for others to rise. Support growth, confidence, and learning.
A — Accountability: Hold yourself and others to high standards with honesty and integrity.
R — Resilience: Embrace challenges as opportunities to grow stronger and wiser.
T — Transparency: Communicate clearly. Trust is built through openness and authenticity.
“Your story is your power. Your resilience is your voice. And your journey—no matter how humble its beginnings—can inspire someone else’s rise.” ~ Unknown
Bio
Azalia Arias is a People Partner Manager at Amadeus with more than a decade of experience in Human Resources across benefits, compensation, employee relations, and culture development. Born in the Dominican Republic and raised in New York City, she brings cultural depth, empathy, and strategic insight to her work. She is a proud wife and mother of three college students, who remain the heart of her purpose and the inspiration behind her leadership.
