‘You Don’t Need Permission to Believe You Belong’

This Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month, Chief is honoring Dolores Huerta, the ultimate Jefa.

For more than six decades, the legendary labor leader and civil rights activist has led with courage and authenticity, sin permiso. As she reminds us, "Every moment is an organizing opportunity, every person a potential activist, every minute a chance to change the world.”

Inspired by Huerta’s example, we asked leaders from Chief’s Hispanic/Latinx community what leading like a Jefa means to them.

Here are the moments they learned to start leading with unapologetic authenticity, and what they’re passing along to the next generation.

What does leading like a Jefa mean to you?

“To me, leading like a Jefa means leading with care, empathy, equity, humor, joy, honesty, and attention to the whole person, not just the person doing the job.

When I was about 10 years into mid-level leadership, I remember standing in my parents’ driveway late on a Sunday night after my daughter’s first ballet recital. I had my car keys in hand, tears in my eyes, and I was shaking. I was living between three states and managing a household that included two toddlers and two elderly parents. 

I had forgotten my daughter’s tutu at the studio. I was rushing out to pick it up, and my dad stopped me and said, ‘You are going from thing to thing, getting things done, but you are missing how excited your daughter is about her performance. She is only 4, don’t miss this.’

Within the next week, I handed off a high-profile multimillion-dollar project. When I resigned from the project, someone pulled me aside and said, ‘I can’t believe what you have done, you just shifted your entire trajectory.’ But my career went on, I have been part of many more multimillion-dollar projects, and I continued to lead with my values.”

— Kris Venegas, PhD
Chief Learning, Data, and Evaluation Officer, Mexican American Opportunity Foundation


“Leading like a Jefa means trusting my judgment and owning the decisions I make.

I used to think I had to prove I belonged in the room and needed someone else’s permission to lead. Over time, I realized I had earned my place, and I was there for a reason.

The most valuable lesson I learned was that I didn't have to change who I was to be taken seriously. I can be warm and energetic while also being bold and direct.”

— Monica Sanjinez
EVP, Partner, Commercial Lines Leader at USI


“I didn’t grow up with a blueprint for navigating corporate rooms. Early in my career, I walked into them afraid, did the work anyway, made some giant mistakes, and walked back in. Again and again.

Over time, experience sharpened my instincts and taught me to trust what I had learned. But the real shift came when I stopped focusing so much on whether I belonged in the room and started understanding why God had me there. I discovered that what fueled my leadership was impact, using my voice, seeing possibility in others, and helping them see it, too.

That’s leading like a Jefa to me: Purpose over fear.”

— Ruth Castillo
Chief Career Services Officer, HSF


“Leading like a Jefa means leading authentically, showing up without dimming any of the aspects of my background, my personality, or my unique quirks. It means showing up as myself, without compromise or apology.”

— Marla Bilonick
President & CEO, National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders

How are you using your influence to create opportunities for others?

“Through the years, I’ve learned that sometimes all it takes is one leader, one opportunity, or one critical experience to change the trajectory of someone’s life. So when I have the opportunity to open a door, make an introduction, advocate for someone, or create a seat at the table, I don’t take it lightly.

I want people to see possibilities for themselves that maybe they couldn’t see before. And when I can, I want to help make sure they actually have the access to go after them. Because people don’t need someone to tell them they’re capable, they need someone to give them a shot.”

— Ruth Castillo


“I’ve become very intentional about using my influence to create visibility for others. Sometimes women need a little reminder of the strengths they already bring, and the encouragement to raise their hand or say yes, even when they don’t feel completely ready.

I’ve always tried to elevate other women. I enjoy connecting them with people or opportunities that might interest them, amplifying their contributions, and advocating for them in rooms where they may not be present.”

— Monica Sanjinez


“I have always had the opportunity to work with younger professionals in my roles at work. They inspire me! Throughout my career I have tried to show people the amazing qualities I see in them by giving them more substantial responsibilities and by promoting them into more senior roles. I work hard to foster a work environment where everyone has a voice, regardless of their role or ‘station’ in the organization, and that's because I genuinely want to hear what EVERYONE has to say.”

— Marla Bilonick


“I was a professor at the graduate school level for many years. One of the best parts of the job was helping students network with one another. It’s been especially meaningful to connect different generations of students. There is a book I used to assign about finding a sponsor rather than a mentor. Some students really rejected the tactical exchange of having a sponsor, but it’s also one of the books they remember over the years.”

— Kris Venegas

What do you want the next generation of Jefas to claim, sin permiso?

“You don’t have to check every box before raising your hand. Trust the skills you’ve built, be honest about what you’re still learning, and give yourself permission to grow into the opportunity.

Take the opportunity even when it stretches you. And don’t mistake discomfort for a sign that you don’t belong. It may be a sign that you’re growing into something bigger.

You don’t need permission to believe you belong.”

— Monica Sanjinez


“Sin permiso, I would like the next generation to have more agency to craft a rewarding leadership path without having to navigate stale systemic rules. I have tried to be as unapologetic as possible about how I want to show up as a mother, partner, daughter, and career-driven person. I hope the path will enable those who come after me to benefit from a fuller, more flexible leadership experience.”

— Kris Venegas


“I wish for the next generation of Jefas to be able to bring their whole selves to work: their Latinidad, their experiences, their language… all of the things that make us different and special. We shouldn't have to tone down our differences. On the contrary, I look forward to a future when we can instead TURN THEM UP! It's our ‘sazón’ that makes us awesome!”

— Marla Bilonick


“A mentor I admire put the phrase ‘next generation’ into perspective for me. He said, ‘Young leaders aren’t next-generation leaders, they are leaders now.’ And leaders now face constant fear, challenges, and hurdles. Those things don’t magically disappear once you get a few years of experience under your belt.

But here’s the secret: You don’t have to do it alone. There are hermanas and hermanos who have already stepped through those doors.

Confidence isn’t built overnight. It’s a muscle. You build it through reps. By showing up, asking, trying, sometimes getting it wrong, and showing up again.

So sin permiso, ASK. Ask for the opportunity. Ask for the seat. Ask even when you’re not completely sure you’re ready.

Because if you don’t ASK, you don’t GET.”

— Ruth Castillo