Her Story
About Estefania
I started my career in operations in the private sector, working in the agriculture industry, where I played a key role in improving operational efficiency at the facility. I really enjoyed the fast-paced environment because it required wearing many different hats at the same time, pushing me outside of my comfort zone and encouraging me to think creatively to provide solutions rather than simply raise questions.
Two years ago, I decided to transition into the government sector because I wanted to better understand how public organizations operate from the inside and see the differences between the private and public sectors. For the past two years, I have been serving at the municipal level as a Finance Officer for the City of Oxnard. In this role, I am responsible for sharing financial information across a department with multiple divisions, ensuring spending remains on track and that residents’ tax dollars are being managed responsibly and within budget.
My responsibilities include running financial reports, coordinating budget actions, and maintaining strong communication across divisions so everyone stays informed and aligned. A major focus of mine has been relationship-building and improving collaboration between teams to help the department operate more efficiently. Currently, I am working on strengthening internal communication and ensuring all stakeholders are on the same page, because often one group may not be aware of another group’s plans or priorities. By improving coordination and transparency, I aim to increase overall efficiency and effectiveness within the government sector.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Estefania
01What do you attribute your success to?
I would describe myself as a hardworking person who stays focused on the responsibilities in front of me. Whatever task I take on, I always give it my full effort, not just 50% or 80%, but 100%. I believe that if something is worth doing, it should be done the best way possible.
I also enjoy constantly learning and challenging myself with new opportunities. I’ve never liked being bored or staying stagnant, even in my previous jobs. That’s why I believe in wearing different hats and continuing to grow. If there are no more opportunities to learn or develop, then it may be time to find a new challenge because I enjoy staying active, motivated, and continuously improving.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
One piece of advice that has always stayed with me came from one of my teachers, who said: always be kind and respectful to everyone in the workplace. I believe that is one of the best lessons I have carried throughout my career.
In any work environment, situations can sometimes feel personal, especially when receiving feedback or dealing with challenges. However, I’ve learned the importance of separating personal emotions from professional responsibilities. At the end of the day, everyone is trying to do their job and contribute to the team.
That mindset has helped me remain professional, open to feedback, and respectful toward others. I always remind myself not to take constructive comments personally, but instead see them as opportunities to improve and grow. There is a very important balance between personal feelings and professional responsibilities, and maintaining that balance is essential for a healthy and productive workplace.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Never be afraid to speak up. However, before speaking up, it is important to do your research, understand the situation, and make sure you have your facts clearly organized and supported.
At the beginning, this was challenging for me because I worked with people who had been doing things the same way for many years. Naturally, when someone introduces a different idea or approach, others may not immediately believe it is the best option. I learned that change can sometimes be difficult for people to accept.
What helped me was staying confident, prepared, and professional. I understood that speaking up is most effective when it comes from knowledge, facts, and a genuine desire to improve processes, not simply from personal opinion. That experience taught me the importance of persistence, preparation, and having the confidence to respectfully share new ideas, even in challenging environments.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
For me, two of the most important values in leadership are accountability and transparency. Especially when working in a management role, it is important to understand that nobody is perfect, including myself. Mistakes will happen, and that is part of being human and part of the learning process.
I believe it is important to create an environment where team members understand that making mistakes does not define them. What truly matters is how we respond to those mistakes, learn from them, and take the necessary steps to prevent them from happening again. Growth comes from accountability and continuous improvement.
I also believe transparency is essential within a team. If something goes wrong, it is important to be honest about it instead of trying to hide it or avoid responsibility. Being accountable builds trust, strengthens teamwork, and creates a culture where people feel supported while still understanding the importance of responsibility.
To me, accountability and transparency are key qualities that help build strong teams, effective leadership, and a healthy work environment.
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