Gisela (Bonilla) Torres, BSBA, MSHRM

I attribute much of my success to my upbringing and a strong determination to create a better life for myself and my family. Growing up, we did not have many resources, and there were times when I struggled academically and personally. In fact, I nearly dropped out of high school just weeks before graduating. What ultimately changed my perspective was realizing that my teachers believed in me, they had given me strong grades and encouragement, which motivated me to finish what I had started.

My mother had only a fourth-grade education and worked long hours in factories while raising us on her own. She sacrificed tremendously to give us opportunities she never had. Seeing her perseverance had a lasting impact on me. At the same time, my father pursued a very different path academically, earning his PhD. Growing up between those two realities shaped my understanding of both hard work and the power of education.

When I started my own family at a young age, I realized that I could no longer approach life passively. I needed to step forward as a leader and take control of my future. I made a commitment to myself that I would not repeat the hardships my mother endured, nor would I allow my children to experience those same limitations.

That determination continues to drive me today. My background taught me resilience, accountability, and the importance of creating opportunities where they may not naturally exist. Everything I have worked toward has been motivated by the desire to build a different future for my family and to give my children something meaningful to look up to.

Be someone who protects fairness, builds trust, and helps leaders make better decisions.

If there’s one piece of advice I would share, it’s to trust your instincts and not be afraid to walk through the doors that open in front of you. Life rarely gives us perfect clarity in the moment, and we’re never going to have all the answers. But the opportunities that come our way often shape our path in ways we don’t fully understand until much later.

I’ve learned that you can’t live in fear of the “what-ifs.” Those moments of uncertainty are often the very things that lead us to where we’re meant to be. Sometimes it takes time to understand why you ended up in a particular place or role, but eventually the purpose becomes clear.

When I look back on my own journey, I realize that every step, especially the unexpected ones, played a role in shaping who I am today. So my advice is simple: trust your path, walk through the doors that open, and believe that even the uncertain moments are guiding you exactly where you need to be.

From my perspective in HR, one of the biggest challenges today is balancing business performance with evolving workforce expectations. Organizations need to remain competitive and efficient, while employees are looking for strong leadership, transparency, and meaningful engagement. HR plays a critical role in helping leaders navigate that balance. I actually see this as a major opportunity for HR to move beyond being viewed as administrative and instead serve as a strategic partner, guiding leadership, strengthening workplace culture, and ensuring the organization has the talent and environment needed to succeed.

The values that are most important to me, both professionally and personally, are integrity, fairness, and respect for others. I believe that trust is built through consistency and honesty, and I try to approach every situation with transparency and accountability. In my work, especially in HR, those values are critical because people rely on you to handle sensitive situations with fairness and professionalism.

I also value empathy and continuous growth. I believe it is important to understand different perspectives and support others in their development while continuing to learn and improve myself. Whether in my career or personal life, I try to lead with respect, make thoughtful decisions, and contribute in a way that positively impacts the people around me.