Raquel Cabrera

I attribute much of my success to an exceptional leader I had early in my career. The president of my previous company believed in investing in his employees and empowered me to reach my full potential. He placed a strong emphasis on leadership and continuous learning, encouraging us to read leadership books and apply those principles by developing procedures, improving processes, and creating structure within our departments. It felt like we had our own leadership academy, and those lessons have shaped the way I lead, solve problems, and invest in others throughout my career.

The best career advice I've ever received is to lead with a servant's heart. True leadership isn't about authority—it's about supporting your team, helping others succeed, and leading by example. I've also learned the importance of maintaining a positive attitude and growth mindset, especially during challenges. Those principles have shaped the way I lead, build relationships, and approach every opportunity.

My advice to young women entering my industry is to never be afraid to speak up and let your voice be heard. The fire protection industry is still largely male-dominated, but your knowledge, ideas, and perspective are valuable. Have the confidence to ask questions, offer suggestions, and advocate for improvements. When you combine competence with confidence and a willingness to learn, you earn respect and create opportunities—not just for yourself, but for the women who will follow in your footsteps.

One of the biggest challenges in my field is finding people who genuinely enjoy the work of accounts receivable and collections. Success in this role requires persistence, critical thinking, and a commitment to building relationships—not simply checking tasks off a list. The greatest opportunity lies in developing professionals who take ownership of their work, approach challenges with a positive attitude, and understand that effective collections are about communication, problem-solving, and helping both the customer and the company succeed.

The values that guide me in both my work and personal life are integrity, servant leadership, continuous learning, and meaningful relationships. I believe in doing the right thing, even when no one is watching, and leading by serving and supporting others. I also value a positive attitude and a growth mindset, always looking for opportunities to learn, improve, and help those around me succeed. Above all, I believe that strong relationships built on trust, respect, and genuine care are the foundation of both personal fulfillment and professional success.