How Stephanie Lopez Leads with Purpose

At a time when women of color face mounting barriers to political leadership, Stephanie Lopez, Executive Director of Latinas Represent, is charting a bold path forward. In this Q&A, Stephanie shares her playbook for navigating complexity with purpose.

Step 1: Ground Yourself in Purpose

Q: How do you define your work, and what does it mean to lead with courage and purpose as a woman of color in political leadership?

As a daughter of Salvadoran immigrants, I grew up watching women lead in ways that rarely made headlines but shaped everything around them—women who organized family, protected community, and held everything together with grit and tenderness. That’s where my understanding of leadership started.

Today, leading Latinas Represent means creating conditions where more Latinas can step into public service with confidence and clarity. Courage, for me, is not about being fearless. It’s about telling the truth, staying rooted in community, and permitting ourselves to lead in ways that honor where we come from. Purpose is what keeps me grounded. Every decision, program, conversation ties back to the belief that our democracy is stronger when more of us—especially women of color—have a seat at the table.

Step 2: Learn from Mentors and Funding Partners

Q: How have experiences with The Ascend Fund and The Leadership Cohort shaped your approach to growth and impact? 

Those spaces cultivated sisterhood, collaboration, honest reflection, and shifted how I think about impact. Yes, impact is measured in numbers, but it also lives in the quieter, qualitative shifts you can’t easily quantify — the moment a leader sees herself differently or realizes she no longer has to navigate this path alone. I carry stories of women who entered leadership spaces hesitant or uncertain and, through community, mentorship, and reflection, emerged more grounded and confident. That ripple is the real measure of our work.

At Latinas Represent, these lessons influence everything we build. Our cohort experiences, alumni network, and leadership development efforts are rooted in the belief that sustainable growth comes from nurturing relationships, strengthening internal capacity, and creating brave spaces where Latinas can lead and be supported. The partnerships and sisterhood I experienced through The Ascend Fund modeled what that looks like in practice. Today, we’re cultivating those same conditions for Latina leaders so they can flourish, collaborate, and create healthier, more accessible communities.

Step 3: Strengthen from the Inside Out

Q: How did the strategic planning grant and support in choosing a fiscal sponsor help strengthen Latinas Represent’s long-term capacity? 

In the midst of COVID, I was running Latinas Represent largely on my own and transitioning it from a program of the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda to a standalone, fiscally sponsored initiative. The grant gave me the time, space, and guidance to do that work thoughtfully and build on the foundation I inherited.

Finding a fiscal sponsor aligned with our values was equally critical. It provided stability, support, and the administrative backbone to grow intentionally. That period allowed us to move from a solo effort to a small but mighty team of four, giving Latinas Represent the structures, clarity, and confidence to serve our community with long-term impact.

Since transitioning to our fiscal sponsor in 2022, Latinas Represent has trained and supported 1,946 Latinas across 45 states and Puerto Rico, equipping them with the skills and confidence to lead in their communities. Nearly 69.2% of participants identify as children of immigrants, empowering them to step confidently into civic leadership.

Step 4: Grow with Resilience

Q: What practices or frameworks help you balance organizational growth with resilience and sustainability? 

It starts with a human-centered approach. That means intentionally building practices that care for the people doing the work. Reflection, strategic planning, and intentional pause are critical, as are shared responsibilities, clear systems, and spaces for mentorship and collaboration.

Resilience at Latinas Represent is rooted in the boldness and strength of our heritage. Many of the leaders we serve are the first or only Latina or woman of color in their roles, which can feel isolating. Creating spaces for connection, mentorship, and reflection is central to our work. Internally, we cultivate authentic dialogue and support among our team and alumni. Externally, our pillars of work connect leaders, researchers, and community members to the tools and relationships they need to strengthen their voice and engage fully in building a more inclusive democracy.

Step 5: Navigate Challenges Strategically

Q: What strategies have helped you overcome barriers, build coalitions, and stay focused on your mission?

To overcome barriers, I start by listening to our team, alumni, trainers, advisors, funders, and the communities we serve. Understanding real needs allows us to turn obstacles into opportunities and design solutions that make a difference. We experiment, iterate, and course-correct quickly while overcommunicating internally to keep everyone aligned.

Staying mission-driven and building coalitions grows naturally from that foundation. We partner with organizations and individuals we trust because collaboration moves us further, faster. Staying focused means asking every day, “How can we show up most effectively for our leaders and communities?” — and having the courage to take bold, meaningful action.

Step 6: Partner for Greater Impact

Q: What advice would you give to donors or organizations seeking to support emerging leaders and organizations like yours? 

My advice to donors and organizations is simple: invest in relationships as much as in programs. Trust the leaders on the ground, meet them where they are, and provide flexible support that allows them to experiment, adapt, and meet the moment. Make introductions, foster mentorship, nominate them for programs, grants, and awards, and nurture networks that help leaders grow. See them as humans, not outputs—because when they thrive, entire communities thrive.

Show up boldly. Celebrate risk-taking. Amplify the voices of leaders stepping into spaces not built for them. True partnership means alignment in purpose, commitment over time, and belief in the extraordinary power of emerging leaders.

Step 7: Sustain Yourself as a Leader

Q: How do you recharge and maintain energy while leading such demanding and purpose-driven work?

Sustaining energy starts with intentional rest and boundaries. I protect evenings and weekends, carve out time for reflection, therapy, and family, and make space for the practices that keep me grounded.

I also lean on my network — mentors, peers, and colleagues who provide perspective and honest feedback. Leadership is never a solo act, and reflecting collectively makes the work sustainable and energizing. I draw constant strength from the very leaders we serve; watching Latina leaders step into their power reminds me every day why this work matters.

Step 8: Lead with Vision

Q: What excites you most about the future of Latinas Represent and the broader movement you’re helping to build? 

Latinas are stepping into public service at every level despite the barriers and growing attacks on our communities. We’re cultivating leaders who govern with intention, lift others as they rise, and build systems of power rooted in care, collaboration, and accountability.

Leadership is contagious: when one Latina rises, she inspires countless others to see what’s possible. The future of Latinas Represent is a future where representation is the norm.