Her Story
About Inez
Inez Garcia is a development professional with six years of experience in the nonprofit sector, including two years focused on development work. She currently works in a veteran and military nonprofit, handling corporate relations and corporate event fundraising. Her career began with four years in organ donation, followed by ten years as an insurance agent at Liberty Mutual. She holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Utah in strategic communication and peace and conflict studies, which she completed in 2023 after five years of study, and is currently pursuing an MBA in business management at the University of Texas San Antonio. Garcia attributes her success to her faith in Jesus Christ, which helped her through personal challenges including a second divorce. She values truthful storytelling, leading by example, and the lessons learned from her time in organ donation about valuing people and human life. Her advice to young women entering the field emphasizes looking at the long run and persevering through challenges to achieve meaningful impact.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Inez
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my faith in Jesus Christ. I went through quite a bit through my second divorce and was in the pits, and that was the only thing that brought me out. There's something to be said for not quitting, and enduring through my 5 years of college helped me be stronger in the business world.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I received was from an old friend when I first started college in my 30s: never stop going to school, always be enrolled, always be learning. I never quit the many times I wanted to, and enduring through my 5 years of college helped me be stronger.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Try to look at the long run. Sometimes it's weedy, but you gotta go through the weeds in order to see the beauty in what you're doing. You're not gonna get every grant or every opportunity, but you're gonna get that one pick and it'll be changing for an organization or for a career.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Right now with the politics of government and military, it's hit or miss with some corporations where the donation is not always wanting to go towards military veteran. People don't always see it, and we're nonpartisan and apolitical, just there to support the military member. Being supportive of somebody who serves the country is important because you don't always know why somebody joins the military.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I value truthful storytelling and people who put their heart into things. I value the people around me that are good influences and being a good example to others because people watch you and the things you do and say. Lead by example. The four years in organ donation taught me a lot about valuing people and the value of human life.
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