GLORIA PADILLA: 2023 Top Lideres Awards; SW Florida

​What is your Hispanic Heritage: Mexican America

What area of Florida do you live in: Immokalee
What is your profession: Community Relations Manager
 
Latin Times Magazine:Tell us about what you do for a living and how you got into it
Gloria: I have worked with RCMA for 42 years, I started as a part timer, to help pay for my college. I was looking to work in the fashion marketing world! But God had other plans for me, I grew up as a migrant farmworker my whole life, so when I started to work with RCMA, I saw the need for to advocate for the families, changed my fashion dream to social work.       

Latin Times Magazine: In your industry, what would you say separates you from your competition
- I'd say my passion for serving the most vulnerable children and families. Our philosophy is that we hire from the community, meaning I am a former farmworker, I know what it feels like to travel from state to state seeking work, not having our health conditions taken care of, not enough food to eat or clothes to wear. We empower and prepare our families to prepare for a better life for their children
 
Latin Times Magazine:  Why do you feel you were nominated
I hope I was nominated for my advocacy work for all the families that don' have a voice and for my advocacy work in my community.
 
Latin Times Magazine: During Covid-19, tell us about your Biggest Challenge/obstacle and how you overcame it/or are overcoming it
My biggest challenge is overcoming the grief of losing my sweet brother to covid-19 on July 22, 2020 due to his underlying conditions. The way I overcoming it is by ensuring that all our migrant farmworker families have access to health care during the hours that work for them and not the system 9-5 does not work! Around 3 months after my brothers passing, I went to CVS in Immokalee and notice many individuals trying to get their blood pressure checked and they were roped off; that’s when I reached out to my friends in the healthcare network and started the first health fair during covid at RCMA.  That is show I have been honoring my brother Bernabe, his death will not be in vain.    
 
Latin Times Magazine: Tell us about your biggest achievement, and how you achieved it
- I believe my biggest achievement is my family, I have the most loving husband together for 40 years, 2 beautiful daughters and 4 grandchildren.    
 
Latin Times Magazine:  What is next for you? What can people expect to see from you?
To Advocate, advocate, advocate! I plan to be more involved by bringing more awareness for the lack of disparities in Immokalee, housing, health, lack of recreational resources for our youth including arts etc.… being involved, engaged and be the difference.           
 
Latin Times Magazine:  What does beinga U.S. Citizen mean to you?
It gives me the power to be involved within my local, state and national community. Also, I have a responsibility to my country as my country to me.   It gives me the power to be involved within my local, state and national community. Also, I have a responsibility to my country as my country to me.  
 
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.
compared to when I was growing up, I believe we are in a critical state, beginning with our climate change, integrity we need to do more to educate society… And what role do you see Hispanics/Latinos playing in the future of our nation. Hispanics are the number growing population in the USA! We have the power to do more, be elected local, state and federal officials, became entrepreneurs…   
 
Latin Times Magazine: What is the best lesson that you have learned in leadership and how has it helped your career?
In my 40 years of leading and supervising 10 directors and responsible for the well-being of over 180 staff in Immokalee and Bonita areas, I learned that each director had unique talents and utilizing their talents, helped me understand how to better supervise. Also trust and communication is extremely important in relationships. Allowing their voice to be heard is crucial for success.         
 
Latin Times Magazine: Is there anything I didn’t ask that you would like to share?
When you understand your calling and your purpose, you have more strength” Every day I pray for understating and wisdom to make great choices for myself, my family and my community!     
 
Latin Times Magazine: What is YOUR comida Latina favorita?
My mother’s Fideo (Mexican spaghetti) and tortillas!