MEET THE 2023 LEADERSHIP TRAILBLAZER FINALIST Helen Gándara

Today’s Trailblazer: HELEN GANDARA

The League caught up with Trailblazer Finalist, Helen Gándara to talk about being named a Leadership Trailblazer and having a career in public service:

Q. Congratulations on being named a finalist for the Leadership Trailblazer Award. What does it mean to you to be nominated?

It is an incredible honor to be nominated and recognized for the Leadership Trailblazer Award. I have been in public service for over 35 years with two vastly different communities, the City of El Paso, Texas and the City of Scottsdale, AZ. Throughout my career I have held a deep commitment for community engagement, public service, and organization excellence. I am humbled and privileged to be recognized for these efforts and in recognition of my contributions to both local government and the community.

Q: What led you to a career in public service?

I was a recipient of a Housing Urban Development Work-Study Program grant for minority students attaining an MPA and pledging service to local municipalities. As a recent pre-law undergraduate student at that time, I diverted and accepted this opportunity that allowed me to complete a Master of Public Administration and work in local government. As I learned about local government administration, I quickly gained a deep appreciation for public service and decided to make this my career.

Q: Who were your mentor(s) or advocate(s) in your career?

I would say that in the beginning of my career, my advocates and champions were often my co-workers, fellow employees and department directors that recognized my talent and skill and motivated me along the way when I was perhaps not as confident in myself. At the transition to senior leadership, I was blessed to work for great leaders that mentored me and offered me opportunities to grow and promote.

Q: What is the most important lesson you learned while coming up in your career?

One of the most important lessons I learned was the importance of learning, growing and respect. I learned early in my career that it was imperative to learn the operations of local government to be an effective representative in my work. I sought to listen, learn, and respect the individuals doing the work who serve our communities. My successes were based on building collaborative relationships that yielded mutual respect.

Q: What advice do you have for women just beginning their careers who would like to be an executive in local government someday?

I would advise women early in their careers to diversify their experiences, build relationships and extend their efforts to areas outside of their career field. My sense of accomplishment and learning wasn’t always at work but rooted in community outreach, boards, commissions, and volunteerism. It has always been important for me to broaden my relationships in city government outside of my field, find a community/fellowship where I fit and have shared experiences to balance and broaden my work requirements with different perspectives. My professional growth is synonymous with my own personal growth.

Q: What do you hope to leave as your legacy in local government when your career comes to an end?

I would like to leave as my legacy in local government my love for service, my passion for diversity, inclusion and equity and the value of respect. I would hope that I have role modeled this value in the many places and spaces that I’ve had the privilege of leading and in the mentoring and sharing of my experiences with others.