As a first-year student at Harvard, I never thought I would get the chance to help organize an event as impactful as the Harvard LEAD (Latina Empowerment and Development) Conference. But, when I was selected as Director of Campus Engagement, I found myself learning a lot and contributing to an event that would bring together Latinas from different walks of life, each one driven to succeed and empowered by the experience. The LEAD conference, held on February 7th-8th, was a two-day celebration of Latinx identity, career exploration, and personal growth. 

Being in charge of campus engagement meant I got to work on organizing some of the most fun and meaningful events, like board bonding activities, the soiree, and the after-party. But it wasn’t all just planning—working closely with such a dedicated team made me realize how much goes into creating something this big. 

Before the conference even started, I had the chance to bond with the other team members. We held a Friendsgiving gathering, where we cooked and shared a meal, laughing about everything from our college experiences to what we hoped the conference would accomplish. One afternoon, we took part in a “hot girl walk,” a casual stroll around campus that allowed us to unwind while getting to know one another. Those moments built the kind of connection that made the whole experience feel personal and meaningful. When the event finally arrived, I was amazed to see how our hard work and energy came together, making the conference a huge success. 

The conference itself was packed with powerful moments. On the first day, after a check-in at Ticknor Lounge and introductions, we kicked things off with Desi Perkins’s Trailblazer Keynote. Hearing her talk about overcoming obstacles and carving out a space for herself in the beauty industry was inspiring. Following that, we had panels on business, entrepreneurship, healthcare, and medicine, all packed with valuable insights for students at different stages of their careers. 

We had various workshops, including the “Planning Your Future Workshop.” This was a Q&A-style workshop with representatives from Harvard College, La Alianza (Harvard Law School’s Latinx student group), and a Latina medical student, Alicia Amairan. I know for me, it was a great opportunity to ask questions and hear from people who had been through the college, law school, and medical school admissions processes themselves. Afterward, we hosted our Havana Night-themed soiree at Queen’s Head Pub, where the entire group could unwind and connect in a more relaxed setting. 

Saturday was equally action-packed, starting with a keynote by Anita Rincon, followed by more panels and workshops on topics like science, technology, law, policy, and nonprofit work. The “Mindfulness for High-Achieving Latinas” workshop, led by therapist Dulce Orozco, stood out to me because it addressed the mental health struggles many of us face, including imposter syndrome and fear of failure. It was refreshing to hear from someone who understood the unique challenges of being a high-achieving Latina and offered practical advice for managing our mental health while striving for success. 

After a networking event, more panels followed, including ones on education and nonprofit/public service. And, of course, we wrapped up the weekend with a final dinner (black tie, of course!) and the official LEAD Afterparty, where we celebrated the success of the conference with music, dancing, and a lot of joy. One of the things I found most valuable throughout the weekend was the sense of community. This collective energy of empowerment was a reminder that we’re all in this together. The conference wasn’t just about learning the practicalities of building a career; it was also about celebrating who we are, where we come from, and the power we have to shape the future. For me, being part of this conference as a first-year student not only gave me incredible event-planning experience but also a deeper sense of belonging at Harvard.

By the end, I walked away with a stronger connection to the Latinx community here, a network of inspiring individuals, and an even clearer sense of my own path forward. LEAD was an experience I won’t forget, and I’m so grateful to have been a part of something that helped so many others see the endless possibilities ahead.