From ‘You Look Like the Intern’ to CEO: Now I’m Leading Hundreds Toward Their Future

Written by Felida Villarreal Your leadership journey: How did you get to where you are today?

Ambition and persistence

My journey to becoming President & CEO of Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement (VIDA) wasn't paved with family connections or inherited networks. I didn't come from wealth or privilege. What I did have and continue to have is a lot of ambition—the kind that some have called "too much."

I've never accepted those limitations. At 20, I graduated with my bachelor's in accounting, quickly followed by a master's and CPA license. My grandfather said to me one day: "If you can be a CPA, you can be a CFO, a CEO, or a successful entrepreneur." Those words became my motivation to pursue opportunities I once thought to be unreachable.

Persistence has been my most reliable ally. Every "no" I've encountered has inspired me to work more creatively to eventually reach that "yes." For instance, the overall CPA exam pass rate is just 44%. With four challenging exams, I naturally didn't pass all of them on the first try. But just like in everything I do, I never gave up.

Even today, I continue to nurture dreams and aspirations that some find intimidating. I've learned that those who find your ambitions uncomfortable aren't meant to accompany you on your journey. The people who truly belong in your circle are those who support your vision even when they can't fully see what you see. Surround yourself with those people. As a single mom to a beautiful 8-year-old daughter, my family’s support has meant everything to me, especially my grandparents. Without their emotional encouragement and helping hand, I wouldn't be where I am today.

A defining moment or challenge that shaped you as a leader.

A few weeks after becoming President & CEO of VIDA, a community leader and funder told me "you look more like the intern." I was 27 years old at the time. Rather than responding directly, I made a promise to myself: to create an impact so significant that no one would ever question my credibility to lead a multi-million-dollar organization. That moment transformed from an insult into inspiration. It fueled my determination to let results speak louder than perceptions. In three years, VIDA has transformed from being shy of a $2 million agency with just 10 staff members to a thriving $5 million organization with a team of 21 professionals, more than doubling our budget, workforce, and impact. Today, we support nearly 800 low-income participants annually in achieving a college degree or credential in high demand careers. Next year, the goal is to support 1,000 participants!

Lessons you've learned and advice for aspiring leaders.

Be authentically yourself, but mindfully so. Authenticity creates connection, but remember that as a leader, you also represent your organization. Particularly in the more traditional fields of education, nonprofit work, and government, your personal expression becomes a reflection of your institution. I've watched aspiring leaders chase trends or viral moments, often at the expense of substance. True leadership isn't measured in social media likes or shares but in earned respect. This respect comes from consistency, integrity, professionalism, and results—not from momentary attention.

Find mentors who inspire you and challenge you. My growth has been accelerated by mentors who saw potential in me. These relationships have provided me with invaluable guidance and support. Our former Executive Director, Priscilla Alvarez, is one of those mentors who was always willing to share her knowledge with me and gave me that opportunity to learn more. She was one of the very first people who believed in me when probably no one else did. That early vote of trust fundamentally shaped my professional journey. Her belief in me has also inspired how I approach leadership today, always looking for that spark of potential in others.

Also, don't be afraid to reach out. What's the worst that can happen? They might ignore you, tell you no—or say YES! I've connected with national leaders who have worked closely with former U.S. Presidents, individuals who surprised me by responding to my emails and engaging in meaningful conversations over Zoom. These connections have become some of my most inspiring learning experiences, and I'm deeply grateful for them.

Your leadership philosophy and how it impacts your team.

My leadership philosophy centers on leading by example. I would never ask anyone on my team to do something I'm not willing to do myself. Even as CEO, I've conducted outreach, answered phones, designed promotional materials, and worked weekends. This creates a culture where hierarchy matters less than shared purpose. When team members see me willing to step into any role, it eliminates the "that's not my job" mentality. Instead, it fosters collective ownership of our mission.

Leadership isn't a destination, it's an ongoing journey of growth, challenge, and impact. As a passionate advocate for continuing education and professional development, I've made learning a cornerstone of both my personal leadership approach and our organizational culture at VIDA. For example, our leadership team participates in quarterly leadership training sessions, where we explore everything from strategic planning to current challenges and opportunities for improvement. For our entire staff, we hold biannual development and team-building sessions to enhance well-being, individual skills, and collaboration. My hope is that this creates a culture where everyone—from our leadership team to our newest staff member—understands that growth isn't optional; it's essential to our mission, while also empowering them to be leaders in their roles. Felida Villarreal, CPA

President & CEO Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement