S3 Ep38: CiCi Rojas 1st Latina National Board Chair of the YMCA of the USA

Latinas From The Block To The Boardroom

Today, we are going to hear from CiCi Rojas, 1st Latina in the ​171-year history of YMCA of the USA to serve as Chair, National Board of Directors​!! Congratulations! CiCi shares her DYI experience as a mother of 4 children, and college graduate, that by leveraging her Spanish, gave her the confidence to build alliances to work within Kanas City as a car salesman, to becoming the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce President in Dallas, Texas! The work into the boardroom she says, " was building my confidence to saying yes, put me in this role, I can do it!" which opened up more opportunities and also sponsorship into leadership roles. CiCi also mentions how sponsorship is just as important as mentorship, but the difference is this... "that people advocating for you as leader, while you're not in the "room," is someone who is really going to the line for you." WOW! CiCi's tenacity lead to her building a multicultural marketing agency, Tico Productions and Sports, for professional sports media to be broadcasted in Spanish for the NFL, MLB, and Hockey. She says, "this is the wake up call for all sports agencies on and off the field through technology and media regarding the Latino population." Understanding the importance of saying "yes!" to building community, sports advocacy for youth and creating important healthcare business alliances gave CiCi the opportunity to be the 1st Latina in history for this role as National Board Chair for YMCA of the USA. Thank you CiCi, for breaking a 171-year-old glass ceiling leading into the boardroom of the Y's national resource office here in the U.S.. Gracias, to Edelman PR agency and the YMCA of the USA for this opportunity to share this wonderful story about Latinas breaking into the boardroom. Follow us on IG@Latinasb2b, Twitter@LatinasB2B and FB@Latinasb2b. You can keep in touch through our LatinasB2b.marketing newsletter to see our events and special small business highlights. This podcast was produced by Theresa E. Gonzales and Robert Lopez of Latinasb2b.com.