Today we’d like to introduce you to Lizette Ibarra.
Hi Lizette, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey began in the vibrant heart of Guadalajara, where I was raised by a lineage of strong, formidable women who instilled in me the unyielding belief in the power and potential of women. From a young age, I felt a deep-seated passion for fostering environments where women could not just succeed but flourish.
Embracing a role in Human Resources early in my career, I became a fervent advocate for diversity and inclusion, particularly for women, long before it became a corporate mantra and long before Diversity even had a name. The corporate realm, however, soon revealed its limitations, unable to contain my broader vision for women’s advancement. At the beginning of my career, I saw myself as the CEO of a big corporation, but as I faced motherhood, without any support system, I decided to exit the corporate life and ventured into the Executive Search world, which offered me more possibilities to have it all as a woman, mother, and professional.
Driven by a fierce desire to create more expansive opportunities for women, I eventually ventured into entrepreneurship while still in Mexico, determined to empower others with the strong principles that were ingrained in me during my upbringing. I opened my executive search firm and built my team around women who, just like me, had to leave their corporate careers to become moms and couldn’t find a path back. Together, we built one of the fastest-growing boutique search firms in my native Mexico.
Upon relocating to the US, my mission took on a new dimension, focusing squarely on enabling Latinas to secure the representation and voice they deserve in the corporate world. As the CEO of Latina Chief, I dedicate every day to championing Hispanic and Latino leaders’ inclusion in corporate America, leveraging a deep understanding of the unique strengths and contributions they bring to the table.
Standing firmly at the helm of Latina Chief, I work tirelessly to transform the dreams nurtured in my childhood home in Guadalajara into a tangible reality, creating pathways for women to carve out their destinies and reshape the corporate landscape with resilience, wisdom, and unwavering resolve.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has been far from a smooth road. Transitioning from a structured corporate environment to the entrepreneurial sphere presented its own set of challenges, including a lack of formal education in entrepreneurship. Every step forward was built on trial and error, often navigating without substantial resources, capital, or sponsors.
What carried me through were instinct, a deep-rooted passion for championing women, and the guidance of mentors who shared invaluable insights and shed light on the uncharted path I was forging. Juggling and combining careers with my husband, relocating seven times in between, and navigating the complexities of motherhood along this journey added another layer of challenges and fueled my determination to create a legacy of empowerment and inclusivity for women.
Today, at the helm of Latina Chief, I leverage those hard-won lessons daily, steering with determination to not only open doors but ensure that women, especially Latinas, have a seat and a voice at the corporate table. It is a mission born from experience, shaped by obstacles overcome, and driven forward with the unwavering belief in the potential for a corporate landscape that truly represents the diversity and strength of all its players.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about the Latina Chief/Diversity Executive Search?
Latina Chief is a diversity-focused executive and professional search firm. We have positioned ourselves as the bridge between talented Hispanic and Women leaders and the companies eager to benefit from a more diverse leadership team. In short, we assist corporations who want to increase Latino and female representation in leadership roles.
We recruit mid-management and senior leaders, with a focus on Female and Hispanic leaders, serving the US and Latin America markets.
We envision our brand as a transformative force, reshaping the corporate scenario one talented individual at a time, creating a landscape that genuinely reflects the richness and strengths of the diverse communities it serves. Our mission is not just to fill positions but to craft legacies, emphasizing not just a job but a pathway to influence and leadership.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Surround yourself with mentors and advocates who genuinely look out for you and speak on your behalf when you are not in the room. These people are difficult to find, and you may not have up to one or two, but that’s enough. You don’t need more. And these people will not necessarily be in your professional circle. Pay attention; once you find them, nurture and treasure and nurture that relationship.
How do you recognize them? If you know for sure that this person is capable of putting your interests and well-being before theirs time and time again and will speak to you honestly, even if it’s not always what you want to hear, that person is a keeper for life. I hope you are super lucky, like me, as one of those advocates, mentors, and unconditional supporters is my life partner, Alejandro, and I could not be more grateful for that.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.latinachief.com
- Instagram: @libarra16
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizetteibarra/
- Twitter: @lizetteibarram
Image Credits
Gio Morales Photography
