How did a shy child of immigrants (me) get appointed Deputy Mayor of Los Angeles at age 31?

How did a shy child of immigrants (me) get appointed Deputy Mayor of Los Angeles at age 31? It’s something people often ask.
 
The truth? A big part of it was 𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴.
 
When I first moved to L.A. after college, I didn’t know a soul. I was a lowly assistant with big dreams of leadership and impact.
 
But how do you prove you’re a leader when no one will give you a leadership role? 🐓🥚 It’s the ultimate chicken-or-egg problem.
 
So, I started volunteering. With no husband or kids to keep me busy, volunteering became my way of life outside of work. I tutored kids, built houses, and ran phone banks for nonprofits and political campaigns.
 
At first, I was just grateful for a low-pressure way to meet people.
 
But over time, volunteering became my 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗹𝗮𝗯.
 
🤗 𝗜 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀. Working on meaningful causes alongside others is way better than awkward networking events.
 
📈 𝗜 𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲. Soon, I was asked to lead volunteer teams and join boards, proving my skills before anyone at work recognized me as a leader.
 
🌈 𝗜 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 "𝗽𝘂𝗹𝗹" 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗵 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀. My volunteer work opened doors that my day job alone never could.
 
By the time I was 31, those connections and experiences helped me land the role of Deputy Mayor.
 
Now, I’m back at Goodwill Southern California—an organization I partnered with as Deputy Mayor—this time as a new Board Member. Last weekend, I got to share the joy of volunteering there with my daughter, Lila. 💕 

Most people know Goodwill SoCal for our stores, but those $300 million in annual revenues fuel a bigger mission: 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸. They fund job training and placement programs that help veterans, the unhoused, the formerly incarcerated, the uniquely abled, and emancipated foster youth among all others to gain dignity, independence, and control over their lives through work.
 
Volunteering has always been my secret to showing leadership when my career hit roadblocks. It shaped my story and let me serve others in ways I’ll always cherish.
 
𝗟𝗲𝘁’𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗻 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗱𝗜𝗻! 🤗 
How has volunteering shaped your life or career?
This is a chance to connect and inspire others about the power of volunteering!

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