01What you're building

What are you building right now, and what does it make possible that wasn't possible before?

I’m building a legal and business organization that doesn’t just manage risk, it helps shape where the company goes next. I’ve worked to create a culture where lawyers understand the business deeply, bring solutions rather than simply identify problems, and have the confidence to lead beyond the traditional boundaries of the legal function.

What that makes possible is a different kind of partnership. Legal can be at the table not only when a decision needs to be approved, but when the strategy itself is being developed, connecting the dots across commercial priorities, technology, regulation, governance and risk. For me, that is especially meaningful as a Latina executive. I want the next generation of Hispanic leaders to see that there is no predetermined lane for where their careers can take them. You can be a lawyer and a business leader. You can bring your background and perspective to the table and help shape the future of the company.

02What it took

What did it take to get here that people don't see?

What people don’t always see is the perseverance, tenacity, discipline and sacrifice behind the journey. There were no shortcuts. It meant consistently doing the work, especially when no one was watching, pushing through setbacks, and being willing to take on challenges before I knew exactly where they would lead.

It also meant sacrifice, of time, comfort and sometimes certainty. I learned early that opportunities are not always handed to you, so when a door opened, I worked hard to make the most of it. And when a door didn’t open, I found another way forward.

What I’m most proud of isn’t simply where I’ve arrived, but that I’ve stayed true to who I am along the way. My background, my family and the values I grew up with have been a source of strength throughout my career. Success may be what people see, but perseverance is what built it.

03Who carried you

Who carried you, and what did they teach you that you still use every week?

My mom carried me first. She always told me, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way,” and I still hear that in my head whenever something feels particularly difficult. She taught me that hard work, preparation and persistence can take you further than you think and that you don’t wait for someone else to create the path for you.

I’ve also been fortunate to have mentors throughout my career who taught me to bet on myself: take the opportunity, raise my hand, walk into the room prepared, and trust that I belong there. One lesson has stayed with me above all others: you may not always be the most experienced person in the room, but you can be the most prepared.

I use those lessons every week. Work hard. Be prepared. Bet on yourself. And when the path isn’t obvious, find a way forward.

04For the leader coming up

What is the one thing you'd tell the leader coming up behind you?

Bet on yourself. Don’t wait until you feel completely ready, and don’t let someone else define the boundaries of what you can do. Raise your hand for the hard assignments, do the work, be prepared, and trust that you belong in the room.

And when you get there, remember that leadership isn’t just about how far you go, it’s about who you bring with you. Hold the door open, advocate for people who may not yet have a voice in the room, and make the path a little wider for the person coming behind you.

05Adelante

Adelante means forward. Where are you taking your function, your company, or your industry next?

Forward, to me, means redefining what it means to be a lawyer and a business leader. I want to build a legal function that doesn’t just protect the business, it helps imagine what’s next and makes it possible.

That means embracing technology and AI, understanding the business as deeply as the people who run it, and bringing judgment to the hardest decisions when there isn’t a perfect answer. And it means developing the next generation of leaders who see themselves not confined by their titles, backgrounds or traditional career paths, but empowered by them.

That’s where I want to take the profession: from having a seat at the table to helping shape what happens at the table.