Driven by a desire to serve her community, CC Cantabrana, a DACA recipient, turned a volunteer opportunity with the city of Chandler, Arizona into a fulfilling career path. Today, over ten years later, she plays a key role in the city’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion team.
“Échale Ganas” (Give It Your All)
Fueled by her own journey, she champions the power of opportunity. Her mother’s advice, “Échale ganas” (give it your all), instilled a lifelong commitment to community service. This philosophy now guides her work, where she supports others by demystifying government systems and connecting them with valuable resources.
Dismantling Self-Doubt
Despite her success, her journey hasn’t been without moments of self-doubt, especially when her team began reporting to the executive leadership of the city government. “There were times where I’m like, I don’t deserve to be here…they are white men who may have not had to go through the same things that I’m going through.” The Latino Leadership Institute (LLI) proved instrumental in helping her confront these feelings. “LLI really helped me pinpoint where those feelings come from.” Through LLI’s Ignite program, she gained tools to identify and dismantle her impostor syndrome. Impostor syndrome can lead to feelings of inadequacy that can plague individuals at all levels of leadership.
Preparing for Her Next Chapter
Motivated by her LLI experience, CC is strategically planning for the future of her career. “LLI really gave me more tools to use,” she explains, “as I advance in my career.”
This includes the valuable discussions and sense of community she gained through the program, particularly with her assigned cafecito partner. Sharing experiences with other Latinos facing similar challenges was a revelation. “It really was good to know that I wasn’t the only person in the room feeling those things,” she says. This sense of belonging and the practical tools she acquired from LLI are propelling her toward her next leadership challenge.
Creating Pathways for Young Latinos
Looking ahead, she emphasizes the importance of mentorship for young Latinos. “I think it’s important to really pay attention to our youth,” she says. “My story is a testament to the power of mentors who believe in you.” Her own journey underscores the need to support the next generation, particularly those in marginalized communities. “Teaching them that they can have a voice,” she says, is critical. Inspired by her own experience, she is now committed to advocating for and uplifting future generations of Latino leaders.
About the Latino Leadership Institute
Born from a vision of influential Latino leadership, LLI celebrates a decade of advancing nearly 800 leaders across industries, generations, and geographies. The past decade of impact fuels our unwavering commitment to building a more inclusive and representative U.S. leadership landscape. Our 10-year anniversary marks a springboard for the next decade, fueled by your investment. Together, we’ll build an even bigger vision for representative and inclusive leadership – join us. Learn More
