I don't have to be the expert in every room. I don't have to have every answer. But I can help build the room.
Linda S. Mosquera · In Her Own Words
Her Story
About Linda S.
Linda S. Mosquera, aPHR, is a Navy veteran, military spouse, and community impact leader dedicated to expanding opportunities for military-connected individuals and families. After joining the U.S. Navy at 17 and serving for more than two decades, she retired in 2021 and transitioned into the nonprofit sector, where she found a renewed sense of purpose through service and community engagement. Today, as Director of Partnerships and Community Impact with ACT Now Education, she builds relationships with employers, nonprofits, and community organizations to connect military spouses, veterans, transitioning service members, and their families with education, career development, and workforce opportunities. Her work is grounded in the belief that military-connected individuals bring valuable skills and experiences to the workforce and deserve meaningful pathways to put those strengths into action.
Linda’s leadership is shaped by the lessons she gained throughout her military career, including adaptability, accountability, work ethic, and servant leadership. Her experience spans logistics, operations, training, scheduling, resource management, and team leadership, including leading teams of up to 75 personnel and managing significant operational and financial resources. In the nonprofit space, she has helped coordinate workforce development summits, career readiness events, educational workshops, and employer engagement initiatives, including the Military Spouse Fellowship Summit, where she helps guide military spouses from inspiration to action by highlighting the transferable skills they have developed through military life. She is also deeply committed to mentorship and service, volunteering with organizations that support veterans, military families, and the broader community.
Linda’s professional and educational journey reflects persistence, intentionality, and a lifelong commitment to growth. As a first-generation U.S. citizen and the eldest of three children, education carries special meaning for her, representing both personal achievement and a way to honor the sacrifices and hopes of her family. Rather than following a traditional educational timeline, she steadily pursued her studies while balancing military service, family responsibilities, and her evolving career, ultimately earning degrees in business, management, and human resource management and completing her MBA in Organizational Behavior and Human Resources. She credits networking as a powerful catalyst for opportunities and believes that openly sharing the causes and communities one cares about can create meaningful connections. Whether building partnerships, mentoring others, or supporting veterans through initiatives such as Project Healing Waters, Linda continues to lead with a spirit of service and a commitment to helping others discover their own possibilities.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Linda S.
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to networking—100%. I’ve learned that your next opportunity isn’t just about who can open a door for you; it’s also about whose door you can open for someone else. Networking has been one of the most important factors in my personal and professional growth. The relationships I’ve built have challenged me, introduced me to new perspectives, and connected me with opportunities I may not have found on my own. I believe meaningful networking is about building genuine relationships, supporting others, and creating opportunities that benefit everyone.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
You don’t have to have all the answers. It’s okay if you don’t have the title you ultimately want or the paycheck you envision for yourself yet. What matters is continuing to learn, grow, and put yourself in spaces where you can develop. I’ve learned to intentionally put myself in rooms I may not initially feel I deserve to be in because those are often the rooms where the greatest growth happens. You learn by listening, asking questions, and being willing to contribute—even when you’re still figuring things out.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Women are needed, and we bring so many valuable transferable skills to the workplace, including resilience, adaptability, communication, and the ability to navigate complex situations. My advice is to find an organization or industry that genuinely inspires you and pursue it without fear. Don’t limit yourself based on whether you meet every qualification or whether you can see exactly how your experience fits. Your skills and experiences have value, and you may bring something to the table that others don’t. Give yourself permission to step forward, take up space, and learn along the way.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I see tremendous opportunity through networking and meaningful connections. At the same time, one of the biggest challenges is that so many people and organizations are competing for a piece of the same limited space and resources. I believe the answer is collaboration over competition. When we focus on connecting people, sharing resources, and working together rather than trying to do everything independently, we can create a much greater collective impact. There is room for everyone to contribute, and collaboration allows us to reach people and communities that we may not be able to reach alone.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Work ethic and adaptability are two of the values that matter most to me. My military service taught me that circumstances can change quickly, and being adaptable is essential. You have to be willing to learn your role inside and out, understand the bigger picture, and continually look for ways to make an impact. I also believe strongly in servant leadership. For me, leadership isn’t about having the biggest title or being the person in the spotlight. It’s about supporting others, creating opportunities, and using what I’ve learned to help the people around me succeed.
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