Her Story
About Marcela
Marcela Flores-Chavira is a military family advocate and program management professional with five years of experience serving the military community. As West Regional Manager at the Military Family Advisory Network (MFAN), she builds meaningful connections with military families and community partners across California and Washington. As a military spouse herself, Marcela understands firsthand the challenges families can experience during military transitions. That personal experience fuels her passion for connecting families with essential resources, from PCS support and food assistance to childcare, mental health, employment, and financial resources. With an MBA and a passion for service, Marcela believes leadership begins with listening, understanding different perspectives, and remembering that behind every statistic is a real person and a real family. Her guiding philosophy is simple: People are not numbers. Lead with purpose, serve with compassion, and choose work that fulfills your soul, not just your paycheck.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Marcela
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to being relatable and having the ability to see situations from both perspectives, what it means to need assistance and what it means to provide it. I believe leadership begins with asking, “How can I help?” without judgment and taking the time to truly listen and understand. I also credit my supportive family, whose encouragement allows me to stay focused on my purpose and continue doing work that makes a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Find a career you would gladly do for free if money were never an issue. Pursue work that fulfills your soul, gives you purpose, and makes a difference. When you truly love what you do, it won’t feel like work.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to a young woman entering the nonprofit field is to lead with passion and always remember the people behind the mission. They are not just numbers or statistics. They are individuals and families with real needs and stories. You may be the person who connects them to a resource they didn’t even know existed. Do it because you genuinely want to make a difference in someone’s life.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in the nonprofit industry is standing out among so many organizations and resources. Families can easily become overwhelmed when they are given a long list of programs without knowing where to start. I believe the opportunity is to focus on what makes your organization unique, provide excellent service, and build trust within the community. Success is not just about providing a resource, it’s about creating a relationship where families feel supported, valued, and comfortable coming back when they need help.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
One of the values most important to me is listening to understand, not simply listening to respond. I value being open to different perspectives and taking the time to see a situation through someone else’s eyes. Personally, I value purpose. I want to do something that gets me out of bed every morning, even on the difficult days. Every day is a new opportunity to grow, do better, and make a positive difference in someone’s life.
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