I serve as an unapologetic and irreverent disruptor, advocating for minority-owned businesses through collaboration and cooperation.
Why do you believe honoring achievement is important?
Honoring achievement contributes best practices in the business community, consistently raising the bar and providing real-time examples for others to follow. This builds up the future economic engine of this great state and country, especially Latina/o-owned small businesses. For example, recognizing large companies that engage diverse suppliers fosters innovation and better performance.
Achievement makes the impossible possible. Celebrating the big and small wins motivates stakeholders to reach stretch goals and strive for more. In a constantly evolving business environment, you are only as good as your last success and reinvention is rewarded.
What insights have you gained in your career that would inspire others?
You can have it all … just not all at the same time. Prioritize the things that you want to accomplish and let go of things that no longer serve you. In one generation, I have changed the path of my family from migrant workers to doctoral candidate. My family is most important to me and, in my multigenerational, single-mom household, my boys, Michael (12) and Max (10), are learning that higher education is a non-negotiable. Also, they will know how to love and support strong women because they were raised by one. My mother remains my greatest source of strength and courage.
What can we do — now — to make a difference for young people/women in Arizona?
Set the bar high and provide the resources, through active mentoring and opening doors, to meet and exceed those goals. I was fortunate to benefit from many great mentors, and now strive to return that gift to young women. My annual participation in the Phoenix Business Journal’s Mentoring Monday is a great opportunity to share my experiences.
I also launched a program called Diversity in our DNA to work with mid-level managers on access, strategy and competency to take their career to the next level.
For two years, I have served as the keynote for a new organization called Young & Empowered Women to discuss equity issues like the gender pay gap.
In A Few Words
- What was the last course, certification or training you took to improve yourself professionally? New Strategies at Georgetown University
- What would you say is a single characteristic OTHERS might attribute to you that defines your success? Irrepressible
- What is the one thing you feel you could work on professionally to be a greater success? Bandwidth
- What is the one professional skill you have that has gotten you where you are today? Ganas (means ‘grit’ in Spanish)
- What is the single greatest issue facing Arizona today? Equity in education that reflects Arizona’s diverse population and meets workforce needs of tomorrow.
About Me
Monica Villalobos was named president and CEO of the Arizona Hispanic Chamber in late 2019 after serving as the vice-president and foundation executive director for seven years. In this role, she is responsible for the strategic growth initiatives of the chamber.
She is also the operator of the Arizona Minority Business Development Agency Business Center, the Native American Business and Economic Development Center, and Ascend Phoenix funded by JP Morgan Chase Foundation. Her background and experience as a corporate marketing executive and as an entrepreneur result in a unique combination of skill and talent. She is also editor-in-chief of 23 research publications over the last 10 years.
Mónica S. Villalobos is president and CEO at Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
