The National Hispana Leadership Institute—an organization devoted to cultivating leadership among Latinas around the nation since 1987—will celebrate is 8th annual leadership conference next month. Our colleague Marieli Colon-Padilla in FH’s Washington, D.C. office, a member of the organization, interviewed NHLI president Cristina Lopez (photo below) about what are the leadership opportunities available to Latinas and how to seize them. NHLI works to expand the pool of qualified Latinas and connect them through networking opportunities so that corporate America, as well as the public and non-profit sectors are more reflecting of the new American reality. This is the first of a two-part Q&A:
MCP: Hispanics are the largest minority in the nation. What does this mean to Hispanas? 
Cristina Lopez: Hispanics being the largest minority means they are also the fastest growing segment of the workforce/largest number of entrants into the labor force over the next 25 years. And programs that target Latinas and empower them to become better prepared to compete in today’s demanding workplace are crucial.
MCP: How does NHLI respond to the changing demographic?
CL: Latinas are tremendously underrepresented among decision-makers and positions of influence. NHLI develops strong, savvy, influential Latinas. Through skills-building training, NHLI prepares them to take on leadership positions in corporate America, become public elected officials and nonprofit executives. And through Latinas Learning to Lead develop the next generation of Latina leaders.
MCP: What role does NHLI have in representing Hispanas?
CL: NHLI’s network is a broad cross section of Hispanas in this country. We inform, connect and advocate for Latinas. NHLI is the “go to” organization for Latinas and on the issues that affect Latinas and their families. The voice of Latinas on the issues challenging our country.
MCP: How does NHLI’s work with Latinas impact Hispanics and other communities?
CL: NHLI has directly impacted the lives of Latinas in every corner of the country, and touched thousands more through alumnae-led projects focused on education, employment, health, technology and other quality-of-life issues. Among our executive alumnae are community leaders, award-winning authors, filmmakers, social workers, educators, elected officials and entrepreneurs. In addition with our youth program, Latinas Learning to Lead, we engage the most inspiring and motivated young Latinas in the country, and contribute to the growing number of Latinas graduating from college.
NHLI has created one of the most powerful professional women’s networks in the country. By enhancing the leadership skills of Hispanic women, NHLI has helped position Latinas as key players in the national stage and ensured that Latinas in leadership positions have access and power to influence policy. NHLI has a multiplier effect – just through mentoring, leadership projects, and networking, NHLI has measurably affected the lives of more than 56,000 Hispanics nationwide
MCP: Do you think the private and public sectors are aware of what NHLI does to promote leadership, professional development, relationship building, inclusion, community and world activism? How would you see this be integrated into other platforms across the board (i.e. politics, corporate, government, education, etc.)?
CL: NHLI is one of the best kept secrets and we want to get the secret out. In the corporate sector, we have some corporate partners who are very aware of NHLI’s value and they have been staunch supporters for years – StateFarm, Walmart, MillerCoors, (others GM, Ford, Verizon, AT&T, CocaCola). We need to do better in the Public Sector and especially in the non-profit/philanthropic/Academic sectors. The nonprofit sector is currently grappling with how to get people of color into executive positions and be more reflective of the changing face of America. Foundations need to see us a vehicle that can help in this arena.
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