The year 2020 has presented unique challenges and interruptions across all aspects of our lives, but it does not stop us from celebrating the various accomplishments and achievements of women leaders of color! Throughout the month of August, we will spotlight these amazing women and share their unique perspectives, philosophies, and stories.

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Elizabeth Barajas-Román is the President and CEO of the Women’s Funding Network, the largest philanthropic network in the world devoted to gender equity and justice. For more than 20 years, she has used her leadership position to advocate for women’s rights in the areas of health, finance, gender, and immigration. Barajas-Román was formerly the CEO of the Solidago Foundation, the CEO of the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts, a manager at The Pew Charitable Trusts, and the Director of Policy at National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health. She has drawn upon her accumulated experiences to further improve the goals of the Women’s Funding Network.

Aside from her President and CEO duties, Barajas-Román is also a prominent member on many boards and committees, including: National Board of Directors for Emerge, the New England Women’s Policy Initiative, the External Advisory Board for the University of Massachusetts-Boston Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy, the Massachusetts State Economic Empowerment Trust Fund Board, and the Massachusetts Statewide Advisory Board on Wage Equality. She is a certified Project Manager Professional, a graduate of Oberlin College, and she earned her Master’s Degree in International Policy from Harvard University.

We are excited to announce that she will be a speaker at our panel: Minority Women Leading Through Change on August 13, 2020. Here is a glimpse into her leadership journey of success:

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Throughout your leadership journey, from your first job to your current position, what are some key lessons you’ve learned that have shaped you as a leader?

Elizabeth Barajas-Román: One of the first, and most powerful, lessons I learned is: say “yes” to yourself first. Young women of color are told “no” so often, that can start to preemptively cut off opportunities from our sights out of fear of rejection, failure or worse – we start to believe that we aren’t worthy of extraordinary accomplishments. I wish I had learned earlier to give myself permission to try something new, set extraordinary goals, and pursue challenges that others may not attempt.

The pandemic has shifted the way a lot of industries do business. How are you leading your team through these unprecedented times? Have you found any silver linings?

EBR: The pandemic has forced all of us to re-examine the pace of our work in the face of layered challenges like caregiving and illness. Being nimble has been key in addressing these challenges, as well as being patient as we iterate our way through it. The sliver lining is the unprecedented disruption has allowed an opportunity to define work/life balance in a way that supports women and families.

Discrimination in the workplace can often arise in less overt ways such as microaggressions, implicit biases, and double standards. How can someone experiencing this address these issues in a professional setting? (Alternatively, how have you addressed these issues in a professional setting?)

EBR: All of these are so hard – and ever present, even in the most “progressive” of workplaces. I’ve found that addressing these usually starts with a question. Asking the appropriate person (either the offender, your boss, or HR) what the expected outcome of their action was. Continue asking, “I’m curious,” questions that help frame the issue. You might be able to get a breakthrough with the person – but be prepared for no progress at all. In that case, look for allies whom you can ask for advice on the behavior you’re experiencing. This will allow for you to be able to get the activity out in the open, while building a support system. An internal support system is key to your sanity, safety and career progression. Don’t give up!