Felida Villarreal is the president and CEO of nonprofit Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement (VIDA), whose mission is to empower Rio Grande Valley residents to achieve economic prosperity through market-driven training, resources, and career pathways. Through her role, she enhances career pathways and employment outcomes for low-income learners and seeks to accelerate college readiness, access, and success among historically underserved demographics, which are predominately Latinx communities.
What is your greatest career accomplishment to date?
In my current role, I’ve had the immense honor and invaluable opportunity to collaborate with incredible partners such as US Department of Labor, The New York Times, and Hispanic Executive. Although it’s difficult to select one particular accomplishment, I feel extremely grateful and humbled for the opportunity to have been selected to lead this amazing nonprofit organization since 2022 despite only being twenty-eight years old at the time. I feel that the trust vested in me to manage a team of senior professionals along with a multimillion-dollar budget represents a noteworthy accomplishment I will forever cherish.
What is your greatest personal accomplishment to date?
Without any doubt, my greatest personal accomplishment to date is my seven-year-old daughter, Amairani. Raising her alongside my supportive family and watching her grow into the intelligent, loving, energetic, and kindhearted little girl that she is my number one priority and motivation.
What do you do today to impact your community?
I actively seek opportunities to volunteer and promote community involvement because I strongly believe we all have a social responsibility and duty to give back to our community. I formerly served as a board director for City of Mercedes Chamber of Commerce to support local community events, fundraisers, and civic engagement. I currently serve on the Fast Company Executive Board to provide insight and thought leadership on nonprofit trends. In addition, I currently serve on the Hidalgo County’s Prosperity Taskforce, a recent initiative launched by Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez to address the ongoing challenges of poverty in South Texas.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
In five years, I hope to see myself continuing to work alongside a dedicated team and supportive community to make a positive impact in the lives of others.
What is the biggest issue that you want to help solve, and why?
Access to higher education is definitely a big issue that resonates with me because of my current scope of work, but also because I feel very passionate about expanding equitable education opportunities to those who are less fortunate. I believe it’s crucial to equip our most vulnerable populations with the necessary resources and tools to achieve education success, which goes beyond financial assistance for academic costs. Addressing critical issues such as childcare, transportation, career counseling, and mentoring are essential to promote education persistence, completion, and credential attainment.
Who inspires your leadership?
There are so many strong and ambitious Latinas who inspire my leadership including my grandmother, my mother, and many dear mentors.
What is a surprising hobby or interest that helps you stay creative and energized?
Spending time with my daughter, traveling, and swimming.
What is your Latino background?
I am Mexican American. I was born in McAllen, Texas, and raised in Macomb, Michigan, up until the age of twelve, at which point my family moved back to McAllen, and I’ve lived here ever since. My parents were both born and raised in the US, however, both my maternal and paternal grandparents are originally from Agualeguas, Nuevo León, Mexico.
What song do you listen to that motivates you?
“Mejor Que Ayer” by Diego Torres.
