Gabriela Beatriz Peden

I attribute my success to the people around me. I've been fortunate to have a strong support system of family and close friends who have encouraged me throughout my journey. Professionally, I intentionally surround myself with people who are smarter than I am in different areas because I believe that's how we grow. I'm not afraid to ask questions, ask for help, or admit when I don't know something. I don't need to be the smartest person in the room—I want to be the person who's always learning. Some of my greatest lessons have come from mentors, colleagues, my own staff, community members, and partners across different organizations. Staying humble, leading with empathy, and remaining curious have been some of the biggest contributors to my success.

The best advice I've ever received is to always lead with humility. Never let titles, positions, or money define how you treat people because those things are temporary. What lasts is your character, your relationships, and the impact you have on others. I've carried that with me throughout my career, and it's become the foundation of my leadership style. I believe every person deserves to be seen, heard, and valued, no matter their role.

Get comfortable with being uncomfortable. There have been many moments throughout my career where I was the youngest person in the room, the only Latina, or the only person with my perspective. I've had to learn that feeling uncomfortable doesn't mean you don't belong, sometimes it's a sign that you're opening doors that weren't always open before. You don't have to have all the answers to be an effective leader. Your job isn't to know everything; it's to ask thoughtful questions, listen deeply, and bring together the people who have the knowledge and experience to help solve complex problems. Leadership isn't about having all the answers; it's about creating the conditions where the best answers can emerge.

One of the biggest challenges in my field is funding the work that happens between the outcomes people want to see. Funders often want to invest in direct services or measurable results, which are incredibly important, but it's much harder to secure funding for the backbone work that makes those outcomes possible. Convening partners, building trust, facilitating collaboration, engaging community members, aligning strategies, and coordinating systems all take time, skilled leadership, and sustained investment. Those aren't one-time activities—they're ongoing processes that create lasting systems change. At the same time, I think this is one of our greatest opportunities. More communities are recognizing that no single organization can solve complex challenges alone. When we invest in collaboration, shared leadership, and community voice, we create solutions that are stronger, more sustainable, and have a greater impact than any one organization could achieve on its own.

My core values in both my professional and personal life are family, service, and teamwork. I prioritize family as the foundation of my support system and a guiding influence in my decisions. Service is central to how I approach my work, as I am committed to contributing meaningfully and positively impacting others. I also value teamwork, as I believe the best results are achieved through collaboration, shared responsibility, and mutual respect.