Welcome to Building Leadership Community! In this inspiring episode, host Dora Mendez sits interviews a very special guest, Carmen Mejia – raffle winner and the driving force behind Carmen's Culture Mix! A Journey of Wellness and Impact: Carmen, an expert in health and wellness, shares how her decades of work have empowered individuals mentally, physically, and spiritually through dance, unique wellness programs, and dedicated community outreach. The Power of Therapeutic Movement: Learn how Carmen, with her background in psychology and dance, has innovatively combined these fields to offer recreational and dance therapy. Discover how movement serves as a "natural high" and a powerful tool for healing and personal transformation across diverse populations. Leadership Through Listening: Carmen emphasizes the often-underestimated importance of listening as a core leadership quality, a perspective rarely highlighted. Authenticity as a Superpower: Explore how the immigrant experience has shaped Carmen's leadership journey and her belief in authenticity as a key to success. Connect with Carmen Mejia: Find out more about Carmen's Culture Mix and her incredible work at [Link will be provided in show description] [Any social media handles Carmen provides] About Building Leadership Community Podcast: We champion inclusive leadership, growth, and connection, fostering authentic leadership and empowering professionals to build stronger, more engaged communities. Hosted by: Dora Mendez, Founder and CEO of Coach Dora LLC. Follow & Connect: Listen wherever you get your podcasts, watch on YouTube @CoachDoraM, and connect with Dora on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube @CoachDoraM. Visit CoachDoraMendez.com

Get ready for an inspiring conversation with Carmen Mejia, a champion of health and wellness!

In this upcoming episode:

• Carmen shares her journey empowering individuals through dance, wellness programs, and community outreach.
• Learn about her unique approach to leadership, integrating movement and recreational therapy to foster healing and personal transformation.

Subscribe now so you don't miss the full episode!

Host, Coach Dora Mendez, founder and CEO of Coach Dora LLC, is joined by Priscilla Guasso, the visionary founder of Latinas Rising Up in HR and owner of Manifesting Leadership Group, LLC. Priscilla, a proud Chicago native now living in Miami, brings over 19 years of global HR experience and a passion for empowering Latinas.

In this inspiring episode, Priscilla shares her personal and professional journey, from starting in hospitality to becoming an HR executive. She discusses the challenges of transitioning roles, the impact of personal struggles like miscarriages on her career path, and the importance of prioritizing well-being.

A key theme is the crucial role of community in leadership. Priscilla emphasizes how a supportive network, like Latinas Rising Up in HR, provides a safe space for leaders to navigate challenges and grow. She advises aspiring leaders to "be the influencer for yourself" by focusing on their core values and building a strong foundation to withstand any "storms" in life.

This episode is a testament to resilience, authentic leadership, and the power of collective support.

Key Takeaways:

• Leadership can be lonely, but community provides essential support.
• Personal challenges can lead to profound self-discovery and new ventures.
• Prioritizing mental and physical health is crucial for sustainable leadership.
• Building a strong personal foundation (values, community, faith) helps navigate adversity.
• Be the "influencer for yourself" by focusing on internal growth rather than external validation.

Resources:

• Find the book "Latinas Rising Up in HR Volume 3 Executive Edition" here: bit.ly/3HYP58w
• Connect with Latinas Rising Up in HR: https://LatinasRisingUpinHR.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/latinasrisingupinhr
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/latinasinhr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatinasInHR
• Connect with Priscilla Guasso on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/priscillaguasso/

In this upcoming episode, host Dora Mendez sits down with Priscilla Guasso, founder of Latina Rising Up in HR. Priscilla opens up about her career trajectory, the importance of a strong personal foundation, and how community can help you navigate life's toughest storms.

Tune in for the full conversation on June 27th!

Connect with Priscilla & Latina Rising Up in HR:

Website: http://www.latinasrisingupinhr.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/priscillaguasso/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@latinasrisingupinhr

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/latinasinhr

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatinasInHR

In this episode of Building Leadership Community, host Dora Mendez welcomes Alison Martin—Founder and Chief Program Officer of Engage Mentoring. Alison shares her remarkable story of resilience: from being emancipated at 17 and raising a child at 18, to leading a multimillion-dollar nonprofit by age 29.

Together, we explore:

• The hidden challenges and untapped potential of young professionals.
• How motherhood can sharpen leadership skills.
• Why mentorship is key to developing inclusive, future-ready leaders.
• How Alison’s tech-enabled platform is helping organizations scale meaningful mentoring.
• The myth of balance and the power of prioritization.
• Practical advice for aspiring leaders looking to accelerate their growth.

Whether you're just starting out or stepping into the C-suite, this conversation offers inspiration and tangible strategies to help you lead with clarity and impact.

Resources Mentioned: EngageMentoring.com Learning to Lead Through Mentoring by Alison Martin 🎙 Hosted by Coach Dora Mendez 🌐 Learn more at CoachDoraMendez.com 📲 Follow @CoachDoraM on YouTube, LinkedIn & Instagram

Join us for a sneak peek into our upcoming episode! In this preview, we sit down with Allison, founder and Chief Program Officer of Engage Mentoring. She shares insights into her leadership journey, revealing how her past experiences perfectly aligned to establish Engage Mentoring and how her work continues to make a significant impact on companies today. Get ready to be inspired by her story of building a thriving leadership community.

#leadership #mentoring #engagementoring #coaching #dei #diversity #MentorshipMatters #womeninleadership #LeadershipDevelopment #careergrowth #careergrowthcoaching #careergrowthtips #podcast #podcastinterview

In this episode of the Building Leadership Community Podcast, we sit down with the incredible Gilleon Alexis Smith-Mercado, a renowned Branding & People Expert and founder of GASM Brands. With over 20 years of entrepreneurial wisdom, Gilleon shares invaluable insights on fostering genuine connections, cultivating deep engagement, and building a high-converting online presence. Learn from a brand strategist and web designer who champions authenticity, intentional design, and making your brand truly unforgettable. If you're an entrepreneur looking to elevate your brand and navigate the sometimes-lonely path of leadership, this conversation is a must-listen! About This Episode: Gilleon Alexis Smith-Mercado, founder of GASM Brands, shares her expertise on authentic branding and building genuine connections. Discover strategies for cultivating deep engagement and creating a high-converting online presence. Insights from a brand strategist and web designer on intentional design and making your brand unforgettable. Perfect for entrepreneurs seeking to elevate their brand and foster community. Learn more about Gilleon: https://ilovegasm.com Connect with Coach Dora Mendez: Sign up for my FREE Newsletter: https://www.coachdoramendez.com/contact About Coach Dora Mendez: https://coachdoramendez.com LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/coachdoram Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachdoram Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coachdoramendez #Branding #Leadership #Authenticity #Entrepreneurship #OnlinePresence #BrandStrategy #PersonalBranding #DEI #BusinessTips #CommunityImpact

Get ready! In this preview of Season 2, Episode 3, Coach Dora sits down with branding powerhouse Gilleon Alexis Smith-Mercado, founder of GASM Brands. Drawing from her entrepreneurial journey, Gilleon empowers entrepreneurs to build authentic, unforgettable brands and elevate their online presence with bold strategies that resonate both digitally and in real life. Don't miss this sneak peek! Links: Learn more about Gilleon: https://ilovegasm.com Sign up for my FREE Newsletter: https://www.coachdoramendez.com/contact Connect with Coach Dora Mendez: Website: https://coachdoramendez.com LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/coachdoram Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachdoram Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coachdoramendez Keywords: Branding, Leadership, Podcast, Coach Dora, Authenticity, DEI, Business Tips, Entrepreneurship, Online Presence, Brand Strategy, GASM Brands, Personal Branding