Her Story
About Alejandra
Alejandra Balcázar is an education and community-impact leader with approximately 15 years of experience spanning K–16 education, student success, belonging, diversity, equity and inclusion, and nonprofit leadership. She currently serves as Director of Belonging and Connection at The Shipley School and as a Strategic Partner Advisor with LATINA Style, Inc., where she supports strategic partnerships, stakeholder engagement, sponsorship strategy, and cross-sector collaboration. Throughout her career, she has developed programs and partnerships designed to strengthen student engagement, representation, access, and belonging across educational and community settings.
Balcázar's academic background includes a master's degree in Spanish Language Teacher Education from UNIBA - Centro Universitario Internacional de Barcelona and a Master of Science in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Leadership from the University of Maryland, Baltimore, which is listed as in progress. She also holds a bachelor's degree in Modern Languages from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Bogotá, Colombia, along with professional certificates in Leading Across Difference, Bridging Differences, and Diversity and Inclusion. She works across English, Spanish, and French and has held leadership and volunteer roles with organizations including ALPFA and Samuel Ready Scholarships, Inc.
Beyond her professional responsibilities, Balcázar is committed to community representation, immigrant advocacy, Latina leadership, and creating environments where people feel connected and valued. Her recognitions include the Baltimore Banner Emerging Leaders honor, the Community Champion Award from the Latino Providers Network of Maryland, the Towson University Impact Award, and the Hispanic Heritage Award from the Baltimore Mayor's Office. She describes hard work, relationship-building, self-advocacy, risk-taking, and creating opportunities for others as central to her professional journey, while emphasizing honesty, growth, belonging, and constructive engagement with challenges as core principles of her leadership.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Alejandra
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to hard work, building strong professional connections, and making sure people understand what I am capable of contributing. I have also learned to advocate for myself, particularly as an immigrant and Latina whose first language is not English. Stepping outside my comfort zone, taking on pioneering opportunities, and creating spaces for those who come after me have been important parts of my professional growth. I am committed to being the first while making sure I am not the last, and to using my work to advance community representation.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
I attribute my success to hard work, building strong professional connections, and making sure people understand what I am capable of contributing. I have also learned to advocate for myself, particularly as an immigrant and Latina whose first language is not English. Stepping outside my comfort zone, taking on pioneering opportunities, and creating spaces for those who come after me have been important parts of my professional growth. I am committed to being the first while making sure I am not the last, and to using my work to advance community representation.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I encourage young women to seek international experiences whenever possible, including study-abroad opportunities, and to be willing to take meaningful risks. Do not second-guess yourself or underestimate your abilities. Know your worth and understand the value of your expertise. Even when others attempt to reshape or diminish your qualities and experience, remain grounded in your values and make decisions that reflect what you know is right. Growth often requires stepping beyond what feels comfortable, and those experiences can open doors to leadership and impact.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The current environment is volatile, which requires me to remain informed, flexible, and prepared to pivot quickly. One of the ongoing challenges is responding to changing circumstances while remaining aligned with my own values and those of the organizations I represent. My own experiences have also shown me that people may sometimes question international education or professional capability because of language or an accent. At the same time, these circumstances create opportunities to demonstrate the value of diverse perspectives, strengthen belonging, and help organizations respond thoughtfully to changing communities and needs.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Honesty, courage, growth, and resilience are important values in both my professional and personal life. I believe in taking risks, accepting challenges as part of growth, and becoming comfortable with conflict because conflict is unavoidable and can provide opportunities to learn and develop. I also value creating spaces where people feel that they belong and can contribute fully, while remaining authentic to who they are.
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