Leadership in Action | Women's History Month Spotlight We’re proud to celebrate our Executive Director, Tanya Gonzalez, who was recently featured by the YMCA for her inspiring leadership and community impact. As both Executive Director of Sacred Heart Center and a YMCA Board Member, Tanya shared her passion for service, collaboration, and empowering the next generation—especially young women striving for success. Her advice? “Start from where you are, with what you have. It may not be perfect, but starting is the key.” Thank you, Tanya, for living your values and building welcoming spaces for all. #WomensHistoryMonth #Leadership #CommunityImpact #SacredHeartCenter #YMCA #NonprofitLeadership #ForAll #LatinaLeadership #Inspiration #Collaboration
As Executive Director of Sacred Heart Center and a board member, Tanya Gonzalez consistently makes a difference in her community! We had the amazing opportunity to have a conversation about her role and Women's History Month. Why do you work with the YMCA? I work with the YMCA because I believe that the organization really lives into its mission – offering programs for healthy spirit, mind, and body FOR ALL. Really living into that mission “for all” is what keeps me inspired to support the work of the YMCA. You are actively making an impact through your work. What does it mean to you to be part of this movement and to create lasting change for families? I consider part of my personal purpose in life to be of service and to be welcoming. So to be a part of the YMCA and the amazing work happening to serve people at so many different levels, as well the Y’s efforts in creating welcoming spaces in our community, is all truly important to me, and allows me to give back in a way that is in alignment with my own values and purpose. As a board member of the YMCA, you help shape the organization’s impact in the community. How does your role allow you to support the next generation, especially young women who are striving for success? As part of the Board, I try to offer my insights that can help the YMCA make decisions regarding strategy, vision, and impact. And I am always thinking of the next generation of leaders through my work at Sacred Heart Center, whether that is through succession planning, mentoring, working with area college students, or working with my own young students that I teach dance to, as part of the Sacred Heart Center’s dance program. Collaboration is key to driving change. How have partnerships helped strengthen opportunities for families in our community? Sacred Heart Center is built on collaborations. Most of our wonderful programs that our team implements are done in collaboration with other organizations, or with the support of volunteers. With this said, sustaining an impactful partnership also takes work. Meaningful partnerships, when done in a way that benefits those involved and the larger community, allow everyone to win. For Women’s History Month, we’re celebrating those who are making history right now. What advice would you give to women looking to create meaningful change in their communities? Start from where you are, with what you have. It may not be perfect, but starting is the key here. That first step is sometimes the most difficult, but the momentum will make the steps after that a bit easier.