Board Member Spotlight
Mrs. Landen Villanueva has 20 years’ experience in the public and private sector supporting the US Navy – first as an enlisted sailor, then as a private industry contractor, and now as a public servant working for the Navy. Landen is a graduate of the University of Phoenix (B.S. in Business Management) and San Diego State University (M.S. in Public Administration). She is an enthusiastic mom, wife, triathlete, and musician. This will be the beginning of Landen’s journey with WE, and she is excited for the opportunity to do great things with WE!
And we are so pleased to welcome her to the Board. Thank you, Landen, for your service!
Q & A with Landen…
Q: How did you first find WE or get introduced to WE? A: I was introduced to WE by Win Cox.
Q: What sparked your interest in joining the Board? A: I met Win prior to COVID, but we really spent a lot of time together during COVID. It was during that time that she first mentioned WE and that she thought I could be an asset to the team. I attended a fundraiser at Win’s house and learned much more about the organization, the amazing things WE does, and the wonderful people that support it. Through her gentle nudging and seeing her passion for this organization, I endeavored to learn more and now here I am!
Q: What are you most excited to contribute to the Board and WE’s governance? A: I have a lot of energy to give and I am excited to apply myself anywhere that my assistance would be welcomed. I have been a jack of all trades throughout my career and hopefully my colorful background can be a positive asset for WE.
Q: How do you spend your time when not volunteering with WE?
A: I am a mom first, and a triathlete second. Together with my husband, I have a 7 year old daughter and a 9 year old son. We also have 3 huge dogs and two tortoises and so my house is often loud and messy! I didn’t find athletics until I was an adult, and I recently stumbled upon triathlon. I have been enjoying this sport for almost 4 years now and I am about to complete my 5th Half Ironman this September. When I am not training or cuddling with my family, my love of music prevails. I sing and play trumpet and french horn, and I am currently trying to learn the drums (!) but who knows how that will turn out!
Q. What’s one of your favorite inspirational/motivational quotes?
A: I don’t think I have a favorite, per se; I just love quotes around kindness and happiness. Here are a couple: “Happiness adds and multiplies, as we divide it with others.” ~ A. Nielsen, and, “It is not joy that makes us grateful, it is gratitude that makes us joyful.” ~ Unknown.
Q. What was the last good book you read or what’s next on your reading list?
A. One of my favorite books is Simon Sinek’s Start with Why, and I am also a fan of Ken Blanchard’s writing.
To learn more about volunteering with WE, click here or email info@womenempowerment.org. There are many ways to get involved!
To see the complete list of our Board Members, click here.
Board Member Spotlight José Angel Nuncio joins us as a new Board Member for the 2022-2023 Board year. But, this isn’t his first time being involved with WE. José also previously served as WE Liaison to the Adelante Foundation in Honduras from 2006 to 2019 and as a Board Member from 2009 to 2014. Since retiring in early 2021, José returned to serve WE as its Finance Committee Chair, where he also served as Chair in the early part of the 2010s. He has 30 years’ experience in the public works sector in San Diego, having worked for Caltrans and the San Diego Association of Governments in areas ranging from cross-border planning and engineering to budgets and finance. José is a graduate of the University of Michigan (BS Aerospace Engineering) and UC San Diego (MS Structural Engineering).
Thank you, José, for your service and sharing your expertise with us!
Q & A with José…
Q: How did you first find WE or get introduced to WE? A: A San Diego Union-Tribune article in 2005 or so highlighted this new local organization devoted to reducing poverty through microfinance called Women’s Empowerment. I had been curious about how this tool was implemented and how it could help reduce poverty among women and society in general. I contacted the organization and participated in an introductory session in Point Loma, where I met Linda Corey. She put me in touch with others at WE, and in 2006 I was asked to be the WE liaison with Adelante Foundation in Honduras, which I did until 2019.
Q: What sparked your interest in joining the Board? A: WE supports very important and worthy organizations across the world, which I saw first-hand when meeting women clients in Honduras. I was previously on the Board (2009-2014), but because of work commitments, could not continue. Now that I am retired, I am looking forward to working with my fellow Board members to continue the good work.
Q: What are you most excited to contribute to the Board and WE’s governance? A: WE has grown immensely since its early years, and as it continues to grow, evolve and adapt, I look forward to contributing to the aspirational nature of the WE Board, providing historical context, and as the current Chair of the Finance Committee, financial planning and support to the Board and management.
Q: How do you spend your time when not volunteering with WE?
A: I am currently planning on walking the Camino de Santiago in Spain this Fall – about 500 miles – so I’m doing a lot of prep walking!
Q. What’s one of your favorite inspirational/motivational quotes?
A: It actually comes from one of the WE clients served by Grameen de la Frontera, one of WE’s earliest partners, many years ago. She said, “nomas porque somos pobres, no quiere decir que seamos brutas” (just because we are poor, it does not mean we are dumb). And I absolutely agree. It is a constant reminder that we as donors must approach helping others with humility, appreciating the opportunities we have had, realizing that a lack of opportunity does not equate to a lack of ability. It’s about respect. It’s about dignity. It’s about recognizing that the success and achievements of the women clients is due to their hard work, often against so many odds. Their achievements are truly inspirational.
Q. What was the last good book you read or what’s next on your reading list?
A. I like novels that mix historical context into the story. El Italiano, by Arturo Pérez-Reverte and Terra Alta, by Javier Cercas, both mixed different eras of Spain’s XX century complicated history into the story.
To learn more about volunteering with WE, click here or email info@womenempowerment.org. There are many ways to get involved!
To see the complete list of our Board Members, click here.
Volunteer Spotlight Julie Hocking has served as WE’s Assistant Treasurer for 10 years, serving several times as an Interim Treasurer, as well. Julie’s work behind the scenes helps us maintain our accountability, integrity, and transparency for donors. It ensures our organization can function efficiently and sustainably and grow to serve and empower more women. Thank you, Julie, for your service and sharing your expertise with us!
Q & A with Julie…
Q: What drew you to WE? A: I had always been interested in the idea of microfinance as a way to alleviate poverty. I was invited to the annual Women’s Day celebration at UCSD and realized that there was a need for a bookkeeper.
Q: What has been the most rewarding part of volunteering with WE? A: I have a skill in bookkeeping support that I was happy to utilize in my volunteer work with WE.
Q: Do you have any memorable experiences through your time with WE that you would like to share A: I had the opportunity to visit a WE project in Mexico. (That project was so successful that they ended their relationship with WE because they no longer needed additional funding to remain viable.) The opportunity to visit with women entrepreneurs at their businesses – bread baking, flower growing, small stores – was very inspirational.
Q: What has been a favorite book you’ve read recently? A: I recently discovered “Beautiful Oops” by Barney Saltzberg. This book shows young readers how every mistake is an opportunity to make something beautiful. The creative arts are important to me, and this is a book I can share with my grandchildren as they discover creativity.
Q: What is one of your favorite inspirational or motivational quotes? A: My personal mantra is: Be Brave.
José Angel Nuncio joins us as a new Board Member for the 2022-2023 Board year. But, this isn’t his first time being involved with WE. José also previously served as WE Liaison to the Adelante Foundation in Honduras from 2006 to 2019 and as a Board Member from 2009 to 2014. Since retiring in early 2021, José returned to serve WE as its Finance Committee Chair, where he also served as Chair in the early part of the 2010s. He has 30 years’ experience in the public works sector in San Diego, having worked for Caltrans and the San Diego Association of Governments in areas ranging from cross-border planning and engineering to budgets and finance. José is a graduate of the University of Michigan (BS Aerospace Engineering) and UC San Diego (MS Structural Engineering).
