YADIRA M. BOTERO: 2023 Top Lideres Awards; Jacksonville

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​What is your Hispanic Heritage: Cuban

What area of Florida do you live in: Jacksonville, Florida
 
Latin Times Magazine: Tell us about what you do for a living and how you got into it.
Yadira Botero: I moved to Jacksonville, Florida 23 years ago from New Jersey and started working for the City of Jacksonville and was able to continue to grow within the City to being promoted to Finance Officer first for the Property Appraiser’s Office and now to the Supervisor of Elections Office.

​Latin Times Magazine: In your industry, what would you say separates you from your competition.
Yadira Botero: Hard-work and dedication
 
Latin Times Magazine:  Why do you feel you were nominated.
Yadira Botero: It is an honor that I was considered for this Award.
I feel that I was nominated because in my everyday dealings I try my best to make our community the type of Community people feel proud to be a part of through example of hard work and humility.
 
Latin Times Magazine:  During Covid-19, tell us about your Biggest Challenge/obstacle and how you overcame it/or are overcoming it.
Yadira Botero:  Covid-19 was an unprecedented challenge, and we were navigating waters that we had never had to find a way to help and keep safe so many people at the same time.  In finance and Procurement, it was a challenge at the time to get all the supplies to keep everyone as safe as possible.
 
Latin Times Magazine: Tell us about your biggest achievement, and how you achieved it.
Yadira Botero:  What I consider my biggest challenge and achievement was raising 2 successful children while always holding a full-time position.  At this time there are moving resources for women who have careers, but in the 80’s it was challenging.  I was able to get through a lifetime of work and family balance through family help and extreme organizational skills.
 
Latin Times Magazine:  What is next for you? What can people expect to see from you?
Yadira Botero:  I want to continue to grow within the City of Jacksonville’s Finance and Procurement Divisions, and in my present position at the Supervisor of Elections help everyone that I can succeed.  In the future you can expect from me engaging in Volunteer Opportunities to help my community.
 
Latin Times Magazine:  What does be a U.S. Citizen mean to you?
Yadira Botero:  Being a U.S. Citizen is waking up everyday grateful that I have so many opportunities.  I feel being a U.S. Citizen has been a blessing many people struggle every single day to reach; and I was fortunate enough to have. 
 
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.
Yadira Botero:  We are a vibrant and extremely hard-working group of citizens.  We will continue to flourish and make this Country the envy of the world. The state of our Nation currently is a state of not standing on principles.  Cult of Personalities is never a good thing.  We need to strive as people and a nation to stand always for what is honest, just, and always speak and stand by the truth.
 
Latin Times Magazine: What is the best lesson that you have learned in leadership and how has it helped your career?
For me, I have always led with fairness.  All else falls into place when people know you are never going to treat them other than with the utmost respect. 
              
Latin Times Magazine:  Is there anything I didn’t ask that you would like to share?
Yadira Botero:  My final thoughts are that I have always been proud of being of Hispanic/Latino descent.  Let us always help each other grow and prosper.   The cream always rises to the top.  We as a community are cream, and always rise no matter what part of the world we have come from.
                   
Latin Times Magazine:  What is YOUR comida Latina favorita?
Yadira Botero:  Black Beans, White Rice and Roasted Pork with a Flan and Cafecito to top it off.