A reflection on growth through curiosity, mentorship, and service. This personal essay explores how asking questions, learning from mentors, and supporting others has shaped a journey from volunteering to public leadership and advocacy for affordable housing.
Her Story
About Doris
Doris Crespo is an elected official, community advocate, and public speaker serving as a City Councilwoman in Dacono, Colorado. Appointed in June 2022, elected in November 2023, and re-elected in 2026, she became the first Hispanic woman to serve on the Dacono City Council. Her leadership is grounded in community engagement, public service, and a commitment to representing residents through transparent governance and practical decision-making.
Doris’s dedication to affordable housing includes 12 years of volunteering with Habitat for Humanity and contributing to its advocacy committee. Since joining Habitat for Humanity of the St. Vrain Valley in June 2022, she has continued that commitment professionally and currently serves as Volunteer and AmeriCorps Manager. She leads volunteer engagement, supervises AmeriCorps members, coordinates visiting service teams, and develops community partnerships that support affordable housing. Her responsibilities include volunteer recruitment and training, program coordination, strategic planning, budgeting, fundraising support, public speaking, and advocacy with elected officials and policymakers.
In addition to her work with Habitat, Doris serves on the Boulder County Fair Board and mentors high school students and AmeriCorps members, helping them build confidence and develop their leadership skills. Her professional background includes financial coordination, accounting, and administrative support, providing a strong foundation in organization, communication, and financial management.
In recognition of her public service and community leadership, Doris received the Latino Chamber of Commerce of Boulder County’s 2024 Elected Official of the Year Award. She attributes her success to being present in the community, listening carefully to residents, and approaching challenges with common sense and compassion.
As a bilingual Latina leader, Doris is passionate about bridging cultures, welcoming different perspectives, and building meaningful connections among individuals and organizations. Guided by honesty, authenticity, and perseverance, she remains committed to empowering others through service, expanding affordable housing opportunities, and encouraging residents to take an active role in shaping their communities.
I’m also recording episodes for my upcoming podcast, “How to Fly a Rocket Ship with Doris Crespo.” It’s about big dreams, honest conversations, and lifelong learning—because none of us were given the a life instruction manual!
I’d love to connect with potential guests and people interested in collaborating. If you have a story to share or would like to be involved, send me a message here on LinkedIn.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Doris
01What do you attribute your success to?
My success stems from my faith, my family’s support, and a commitment to showing up, listening, and learning. Twelve years volunteering with Habitat for Humanity showed me the impact we achieve by working together and understanding each other’s needs.
Growing up between two cultures has shaped how I connect with others and approach leadership, emphasizing common sense, compassion, and respect for diverse perspectives. Serving as the first Hispanic woman on Dacono City Council was a significant milestone, but ongoing relationships and opportunities to serve continue to motivate me.
I have learned that it is not necessary to have every answer before moving forward. Growth often requires stepping outside your comfort zone, asking questions, and trusting that your voice and experience are valuable.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received is to stay curious, ask questions, and remain open to learning, even in leadership roles. You don’t need to know everything; seeking guidance demonstrates strength.
I’ve been fortunate to have mentors who explained unfamiliar concepts, guided me through cultural differences, and encouraged me to consider other perspectives. Their support helped me build confidence and pursue opportunities beyond my comfort zone.
I apply these lessons in my work and mentoring. Surround yourself with those who support your growth and provide honest feedback. Listen carefully, remain open to input, and continue learning.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I'd urge any young women going into public service or community leadership to have confidence in themselves and know they can do it. You just need common sense, compassion, and a real desire to serve to make a real difference. You don't need a load of qualifications to lead. What you do need is the ability to listen, understand what the community needs, act on it, and lead with integrity and compassion.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the major issues is getting people engaged and helping them to understand just how much their voice counts. People will have questions and they will have concerns, but they may not know where to begin or whether anyone is going to listen. That's why in both my council and my Habitat work I want people to feel at ease in asking questions, in telling us their stories and in getting involved.
There's also an opportunity to build stronger relationships between local government, the not for profits, the businesses and the residents. We bring different perspectives and by taking the time to understand each other we can find common ground and achieve more.
I'm particularly keen on the mentoring aspect and working with young people and future leaders. With the AmeriCorps members and students I work with I get the chance to encourage them to speak up, to make decisions and to have confidence in themselves. We need to be getting them involved now and giving them space to bring their own ideas to the table.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
My faith, my honesty, my authenticity and my perseverance are the cornerstones of how I approach both my work and my personal life. I want people to know that they can trust me to be me, to be honest and to follow through. If I don't know something I'm prepared to ask. If I've made a mistake I'm prepared to learn from it and do better.
Respect is also important to me. I think you can disagree and still listen to one another and work together. Having grown up between two cultures I've learned to appreciate different points of view and to look for ways of connecting people.
I really do care about showing up for people and treating them with kindness. Whether I'm with my family, listening to a resident or mentoring an AmeriCorps member I want people to feel heard and know that they matter.
Her Content Hub
Articles by Doris
Keep Asking Questions: How Service Helped Me Grow as a Leader
Finding Your Voice Through Curiosity, Service, and Mentorship
I ask a lot of questions. I want to understand how things work, why decisions are made, and what people need. That curiosity has followed me through volunteering, public service, and my work with AmeriCorps members. It has also helped me become more comfortable sharing what I have learned.
Growing up between the United States and Guanajuato, Mexico, gave me experience moving between cultures and perspectives. Even so, I've faced plenty of unfamiliar situations in my personal and professional life. I have relied on mentors who were patient enough to explain things, answer questions, and help me see things differently. Their willingness to make time for me shaped the way I try to support others today.
My years volunteering with Habitat for Humanity gave me opportunities to learn through service. Working alongside others helped me understand how people with different experiences can contribute to a shared goal. It also deepened my commitment to affordable housing and community involvement.
Today, as a Dacono City Council Member, volunteer, and AmeriCorps Manager at Habitat for Humanity of the St. Vrain Valley, I continue to learn from the people around me. Each role carries responsibilities that require preparation, listening, and a willingness to ask for guidance.
In 2025, I spoke before an audience of 430 people at Habitat on the Hill in Washington, D.C. I was both nervous and excited. Speaking about work I care deeply about challenged me to trust that my experience was worth sharing. It reminded me that I could feel nervous and still take the next step.
In 2026, I presented at Habitat for Humanity’s international conference on helping volunteers, donors, homeowners, and community members become advocates for affordable housing. Both opportunities allowed me to share what service has taught me while continuing to grow as a public speaker.
One experience that helped me recognize my own growth was supervising an AmeriCorps member who was hesitant to make decisions and speak in public. Supporting her made me think about the encouragement I had received when I was unsure of myself.
I understood that being her mentor meant taking her concerns seriously, making time for questions, and giving her opportunities to practice. It also meant letting her make decisions and build confidence in her own judgment. That takes patience. When someone comes to you for help, it can be tempting to provide an answer immediately. Sometimes, a useful first step is to ask what she thinks and listen to her reasoning.
That experience helped me recognize that I had knowledge worth sharing, even as I continued learning myself. It also made me more aware of the responsibility that comes with someone trusting you. Your words, your attention, and the way you respond to uncertainty can affect whether she feels comfortable asking for help again.
For women stepping into a new role, I would encourage you to ask the question you are holding back. Find people who will give you honest guidance. Take time to prepare, and give yourself room to learn through experience.
As you grow, remember the people who helped you along the way. Offer that same patience to someone else. Explain the unfamiliar process. Invite her perspective. Help her prepare for an opportunity, then give her room to take it.
My faith, family, and mentors continue to support my growth. I still have questions, and I expect I always will. I hope the women I mentor feel comfortable bringing theirs to me, too.
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