DAYRA "DEE" DOMINGUEZ: 2023 Top Lideres Awards; SW Florida

What is your Hispanic Heritage: 
Dee: Dominican

What area of Florida do you live in?
Dee: SWFL

What is your profession?
Dee: Registered Nurse, Entrepreneur, Founder of “Against All Odds International” 501c3 nonprofit organization

​Latin Times Magazine: Tell us about what you do for a living and how you got into it
Dee Dominguez: As a profession I am a Registered Nurse. I became a nurse because of my passion for caring for others. I am also the founder of a 501c3 nonprofit organization called Against All Odds where I mentor teen parents I our community.
 
Latin Times Magazine: In your industry, what would you say separates you from your competition
Dee Dominguez: As a nurse my main goal is to always care for my patients and serve as an advocate for them. I truly put myself in their shoes and care for them as if they were my own family.
 
Latin Times Magazine: Why do you feel you were nominated
Dee Dominguez: I would say that I pride myself in surrounding myself with likeminded individuals that also care very deeply about our community and in turn I have created friendships with other amazing leaders.
 
Latin Times Magazine: During Covid-19, tell us about your Biggest Challenge/obstacle and how you overcame it/or are overcoming it
Dee Dominguez:  Working as a nurse during Covid-19 was the hardest time in my life thus far. Going in to work every day not knowing if I was going to bring back home the virus. The uncertainty of not really knowing if we were going to lose a family member or a friend. But I always kept my faith and I truly believe that we all came out better human being afterwards.
 
Latin Times Magazine: Tell us about your biggest achievement, and how you achieved it
Dee Dominguez:  I have many achievements in my life! I was a teen mother at the age of 15 and I was told that I would never amount to anything. The mere fact that I am being nominated for this prestigious award speaks volumes to what any human being can accomplish if they set their mind to it.
 
I was a kid from the projects who’s mother lived of welfare and section eight and today I have 3 grown children eight grandchildren. My husband (of 29 years) and I have managed to “beat the odds” and I will never stop achieving whatever goals I set for myself.
 
Latin Times Magazine: What is next for you? What can people expect to see from you?
Dee Dominguez:  The sky is the limit! My husband and I have projects in the works. I plan to continue growing my organization so that I can help more teen parents in our community. I am continuing my education in Nursing, and I want to make a difference in the school system in Lee county.
 
Latin Times Magazine: What does being a U.S. Citizen mean to you?
Dee Dominguez:  Being a U.S. Citizen means opportunity. The opportunity to brake negative generational cycles, the opportunity to grow and the opportunity to leave a legacy to my grandchildren and the generations to come.
 
Latin Times Magazine: What is your opinion of the state of affairs in our nation? And what role do you see Hispanics/Latinos playing in the future of our nation.
Dee Dominguez:  As a Latina mother, grandmother, tia, madrina etc. I would like to see more representation in all aspects of politics, education and social media in a positive way. Let’s celebrated our cultural diversity in ways that will represent us as we are! Beautiful and colorful but also intelligent and with lots of opinions and a lot to offer. Education is key and we need to get better educated with currents events so that we are able to make I formed decisions. We need to go out and vote during election so that we have a voice!
 
Latin Times Magazine: What is the best lesson that you have learned in leadership and how has it helped your career?
Dee Dominguez:  The biggest lesson I have learned is that I can’t do things by myself. As a Latina we often don’t want to ask for help (that is part of those negative generational costumes I mentioned earlier) As a leader you need a team, people that share your passion and your drive. In my nonprofit one of the main quotes is “It takes a Village”! I believe no one person should have to do anything alone when it comes to leadership you need your “village”
 
Latin Times Magazine: Is there anything I didn’t ask that you would like to share?
Dee Dominguez:  I want to thank you for this opportunity and It is a privilege just to be considered for this award.
 
Latin Times Magazine: What is YOUR comida Latina favorita?
Dee Dominguez:  I am a self-proclaimed Foodie! But as a true Dominican I LOVE Arroz blanco con habichuelas y carene (White rice, beans, meat). But in Dominican Republic we have something called LOCRIO. A locrio can be made of any meat, but my favorite is El Locrio de Cerdo. My grandmother made the best and I have taken the role in our family of making this dish. It consist of mixing the rice with the meat (meat of choice).