Two years ago, Natalie Garcia asked me to write a recommendation for her Emerging Leaders Institute (ELI) application. I had previously heard about it from a teacher at my school, but the thought to apply didn’t occur to me until I was writing Natalie’s recommendation. In order to write her recommendation, I did a little research on the Emerging Leaders Institute (ELI) and that’s when I was hooked. ELI was put on by the Greater Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Foundation to identify and empower emerging young leaders. This was an organization that was committed to doing its part to developing Hispanic (and non-Hispanic leaders looking to impact the Hispanic community) by providing quality professional development, mentorship guidance, networking opportunities, and links to recruiters in a number of different fields. Initially, I looked for a cost because it sounded too good to be true. I was surprised to find out that it was all free! I would later learn that this was (and still is) due to the generous support of different professionals in the Greater Houston community who are invested in building a leadership pipeline in their communities.
After I finished Natalie’s letter of recommendation, I immediately started my own application. Following a review of my application, I learned that everybody who makes it through to the next round was to be interviewed by the President and CEO of the Greater Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Foundation herself, Dr. Laura Murillo. Engaging with her during this interview let me know the important role that the Emerging Leaders Institute played with the Greater Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Foundation. ELI wasn’t a hobby, but something that played a vital role in the Foundation.
A short while after the interview, I received my acceptance and got more information about what I could expect. There were four evening sessions in the summer, an “ELI Graduation” toward the end of the summer, and the annual Gala in November. The sessions were a great mix of professional development, networking with peers and other professionals, and self-exploration. An intangible benefit was how amazing it felt to be in a room with so many other Hispanics and non-Hispanics invested in Hispanic issues. The pride and energy around the Hispanic culture was clearly palpable in the room each time we came together.
Two years removed from the actual sessions, I’ve learned that what separates ELI from other professional development opportunities is the community that continues well beyond the sessions are complete. I’ve gotten to know my fellow Emerging Leaders in a variety of different settings, have met prominent leaders in the Greater Houston community, and have been afforded countless opportunities to develop as a leader. It’s clear that Dr. Murillo and the Greater Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Foundation are invested in their Emerging Leaders.
I felt the urge to write this because of what how much I have gotten out of being an Emerging Leader and the confidence I feel that others will benefit just as much from this experience. There are few other organizations in the entire country who are developing Emerging Leaders in the way that the Greater Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Foundation has been developing them since 2012.
You are eligible if you have less than 10 years of professional work experience. Applications are due on March 26th, so don’t hesitate and apply here: http://ghhccfoundation.org/emerging-leaders-institute-houston/
