Latina Leadership Initiative Welcomes New Executive Director and Opens Applications for 2026 Cohort

Socorro Martinez: A First-Generation Leader with a Personal Mission

Martinez knows what it means to chart your own path. As a first-generation Mexican American, she was the first in her family to graduate high school and college, then launched an interpretation department at an orthopedic clinic. She later started a Facebook group for bilingual parents called “Bilingual Moms of Iowa,” inspired by her own experience with her two-and-a-half-year-old son. Now, leading LLI, she’s bringing that same resourcefulness to help other Latinas build professional careers while honoring their cultural identity.

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“It’s deeply personal to me because I want Latinas to feel seen, supported, and empowered,” said Martinez. “I’m glad that there’s a place where they are represented and where they can grow and embrace their culture and heritage as working professionals.”

From Mentor to Executive Director: Martinez’s Journey with LLI

Martinez first joined LLI as a mentor in 2023 after responding to a social media call for applications. The experience of guiding her mentee through personal discovery was transformative. “Talking to my mentee about her experience was very satisfying. To hear someone discover so much about themselves was very fulfilling,” she says of that experience. It was one born of a need she had as a young woman trying to get on a professional path. “I didn’t have anybody. As I graduated college, the community around me was very supportive and I saw the impact that a mentor has on someone for guidance, personally and professionally.” Now, as executive director, she’s excited to build on LLI’s strong foundation and expand its reach.

A Decade of Latina Empowerment in Iowa

The Latina Leadership Initiative launched in 2013 under the leadership of a founding board that included Des Moines attorney Sonia Parras, Sandra Sanchez, Alba Perez, and Christina Fernandez-Morrow as the first executive director. Over the past decade it has helped Latinas develop professionally and personally while advocating for personal growth, career development, and ensuring they have their own voice in their communities and workplaces. The program combines personal growth, career advancement, and community engagement through monthly sessions that cover everything from salary negotiation to women’s health, financial literacy to civic engagement.

The core program runs from January through the first week of June. Participants attend 12 sessions held two to three Saturdays a month from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Grand View University in Des Moines. The $300 tuition fee includes breakfast and lunch, and scholarships and employer payment options are available for those who qualify.

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Sessions cover topics including leadership styles, salary negotiation, mock interviews, public speaking, financial literacy, women’s health, gender disparities, the history of Latinos in Iowa, civic engagement, professional attire, mental health, self-care, and professional headshots. To ensure quality mentorship and personalized attention, the program caps each cohort at 12 to 14 participants, creating a lasting community that extends far beyond the program year.

Apply Now: LLI Seeks Participants and Mentors for 2026 Cohort

LLI is currently accepting applications for both participants and mentors through October 31 at www.latinaleadershipinitiative.org. The program welcomes any Latina ready to invest in her personal growth and career development. Mentors commit for one calendar year with monthly check-ins and provide guidance. The organization actively seeks diverse mentors from all backgrounds, professions, and genders.

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Prospective participants and mentors can learn more at informational sessions on October 18: a virtual session from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. and an in-person session from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Smoky Row, Cottage Grove location, in Des Moines.

LLI also offers “HerBiz,” a program for Latina entrepreneurs. The first cohort recently completed, though funding constraints mean the program will run every other year going forward.

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Stay Connected with LLI Events and Updates

To stay updated on LLI’s events and opportunities, follow them on Facebook: LatinasLeadDM or visit their website.