Engaged Latina Leadership Activist Program

ELLA

The Engaged Latina Leadership Activist (ELLA) program cultivates leadership potential and provides resources and opportunities that impact Latinas locally and state-wide. The program has been successfully administered for 15 years and has graduated over 256 Latina women.

Applications for the 2024 ELLA Cohort are now closed.

What is ELLA?

The ELLA Program is a six-month leadership program created to help Latinas between the ages of 19-29 learn and gain leadership and civic engagement skills through a series of professional activities, resources and mentoring. The program consists of:

  • Leadership Retreat

    An intensive 3-day retreat providing an introduction to civic engagement, leadership, and self-discovery.

  • Latina Action Day

    HOPE’s annual public policy and advocacy conference traditionally hosted in Sacramento.

  • Civic Training


    A series of civic engagement training and workshops.

  • Networking

    Opportunities to network with local leaders and civically engaged Latinas through events and guest speakers.

  • Final Project

    A collective final project and presentation around an issue affecting the Latino community.

  •  The ELLA Program is a byproduct of Latina Coalition of Silicon Valley’s mission to create and sustain a network of professional women that support each other in the advancement of civic engagement and leadership – and implemented in partnership with the Santa Clara County Office of Women’s Policy (OWP). The program aims to develop future leaders that can tackle some of the most pressing issues impacting Latinas and supports the broader movement to empower Latina women in Silicon Valley.

     The ELLA Program requires deep dedication and calls for extensive collaboration, effective time-management, and creativity from participants. The program gives young Latina women opportunities to learn about themselves, their leadership capabilities and the opportunity to meet and collaborate with other Latinas who have similar interests and experiences.

  • Latina Coalition of Silicon Valley (LCSV) educates, prepares and connects Latinas in the areas of civic engagement and leadership development as an expression of our shared values of service, commitment, and appreciation for the Latinas who have paved the way for our successes.

  • Developed in the spirit of collaboration between the County and the community in 1998, the Office of Women’s Policy is a leading voice in Silicon Valley on the needs of women and girls, serving as a catalyst for awareness and action on current and emerging issues that impact women's health, safety, and security. Through analysis, research and strategic collaboration, OWP works to ensure that programs and services, and also systems and policy support women’s leadership, full equality and advancement in the home, at work and in the community.

2024 ELLA SESSION DATES

ELLA Orientation

Saturday, February 3
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
(In-Person)

Learning Session #2

Saturday, April 13
9:00am - 1:00pm
(Virtual)

Learning Session #5

Saturday, May 18
9:00am - 1:00pm
(Virtual)

Learning Session #8

ELLA Retreat

Friday, February 9 - Sunday, February 11
3:00 PM Friday - 12:00 PM Sunday
(In-Person), Cupertino, CA

Learning Session #3

Saturday, July 13
9:00am - 1:00pm
(In Person)

Saturday, April 20
9:00am - 1:00pm
(In Person)

Learning Session #6

Saturday, June 1
9:00am - 1:00pm
(In Person)

ELLA Graduation

Learning Session #1

Saturday, March 16
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
(In Person)

Learning Session #4

Latina Action Day
Tuesday, May 7
6:00 AM - 9:00 PM | Sacramento, CA

Learning Session #7

Saturday, June 22
9:00am - 1:00pm
(Virtual)

Saturday, July 27
8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
(In Person)

What YOU get as an ELLA

  • As an ELLA, you will connect with other Latinas 19-29 throughout the Bay Area who are interested in serving our communities, building relationships with one another, and creating change. Through this program, you will not only connect with like minded mujeres, but also have access to Latina professionals from all kinds of backgrounds. From STEM to Education, to the NonProfit Sector and Business…you will have the opportunity to connect through workshops, one on one conversations, and mentorship with women who have been right where you are now. Additionally, our ELLA Committee Members as well as your ELLA Chair and Coordinator are available to talk outside of workshops about career planning, personal and professional goal setting, and life transitions.

  • Each ELLA team is paired with a mentor who has experience relevant to the subject matter of your community project. Our ELLA teams partner with local organizations to learn about how they are addressing social issues. Previous year’s ELLA teams have focused on addressing issues such as: the correlation between Housing Instability and Domestic Violence, the relationship between Mental Health and Immigration, and the Latina Wage Gap to name a few. ELLAs learn from the work happening on the ground now, and brainstorm how they can further the work, or create a community proposal working towards potential solutions. In past years this has looked like: drafting policy memos to Elected Officials to push for a specific Public Policy solution, developing workshop curriculum for local community organizers, and even starting a series of mini workshops for middle school girls to feel empowered to run for Study Body. This kind of hands-on experience of pairing community engagement, public policy and community action have been invaluable to previous ELLAs.

  • Becoming an ELLA is a unique opportunity to challenge not only your professional, but also your personal development. You will learn how to show up sincerely as yourself in professional spaces with confidence, knowing your background and your story have power. By connecting with your fellow ELLAs and learning from one another as well as our workshop presenters, mentors, Board and Committee members…you will learn not only more about yourself, but your communities too.

ELLA Program Expectations

  • Attendance at ALL sessions indicated in this application. This program will be conducted on a hybrid basis where we will have both in person and virtual sessions, switching between both throughout the program. Please note most in person sessions will take place in our San Jose Office and virtual sessions will be conducted through Zoom. Please review the dates listed above and acknowledge the commitment you are making. Only if you are available to attend every session, continue with the application process. Given the nature of the program, we cannot make any exceptions.

    *PLEASE NOTE THAT IF YOU MISS TWO SESSIONS YOU WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY DROPPED FROM THE PROGRAM*

  • Your health and safety is our top priority and as such we will be taking high precautions when meeting in person. For any in person sessions, we will be requiring every participant to either be vaccinated or show proof of a negative covid exam within 72 hours before the scheduled session. We will be sure to communicate such sessions in a timely manner.

  • In addition to attending every session, you will also be required to meet with your assigned group on multiple occasions (dates are at the discretion of you and your group) throughout the six months, and more so toward the end of the program when working on the final project.

  • Throughout the program, you will be given individual homework assignments designed to foster your personal knowledge and growth. Additionally, as a group, your final project will include an advocacy component and a presentation related to your assigned topic which you will present at graduation.

ELLA Program Costs

  • All membership, deposit and participation fees are due Saturday, Feb 3, 2024 at orientation. Please note that financial hardship should not deter you from participating. We do offer scholarships for this program and we will work with your situation and can set up a payment plan if needed. We also accept company sponsorship, so we encourage you to utilize that if applicable!

    If you are ready for the challenge and ready to take your professional development to the next level, we encourage you to apply and look forward to receiving your ELLA Program application.

Total Cost: $175

  • If you are accepted into the ELLA program, you will be responsible for a $100 participation fee. This program is for YOU, so consider this an investment in yourself. It is meant to further your own leadership skills, develop the best version of yourself and build a greater support network. You will be surrounded by empowering community leaders who will lift you up and inspire you to push your limits. You will be given the tools to gain more strength, more courage and more confidence to go out and inspire others. 

  • $50 discounted LCSV one-year membership fee

    As a member of LCSV you will have access to the LCSV network, opportunities to attend exclusive LCSV events and discounted rates when applicable.

  • You will be reimbursed for your $25 deposit at the completion of the program under the condition that you attend every session, turn in every homework assignment on time and complete all feedback surveys on time. No exceptions will be made. If you miss more than half of any single session, do not turn in a homework assignment on time or fail to complete each feedback survey, including the end of the program survey when due, your $25 deposit will be automatically donated to LCSV. Otherwise, it will be refunded to you at the conclusion of the program.

¿Preguntas? Contact us!

Marinez Ruiz,
Leadership and Development Coordinator

Eonis Cibrian Pelayo,
Program Director

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ELLA Testimonials

  • “I learned A LOT from ELLA and I think I’m going to take everything I learned here to my work in other programs and my career.”

    — Brenda Vargas

  • “It’s not just about sitting at the table, it’s about having a voice even if you are the only one at that table with skin that has been kissed by the sun.”

    — Aimeé Echeverria

  • “After ELLA I will continue to be civically engaged, especially in my local community and step into leadership roles where I didn't see myself previously. I also hope to continue some of the relationships I've developed in the program.”

    — Margarita Arroyo

  • “I will take all the great ELLAs I have met from this experience. I will also take the practice of vulnerability. Throughout my time in the program I've heard from so many ELLAs who are willing to be vulnerable and share personal stories. I have learned that we all have a story and opening up about yours is normal. I hope to be as vulnerable as some of the ELLAs!!

    — Gaby Hernandez

  • “As a first-gen Latina, it is difficult to find spaces where you feel understood, heard and can let your hair down. I chose to invest in myself because I wanted to tap into my strengths and identity to be the best professional, Latina, and activist I can be. In addition, to becoming more aware of the issues facing my community. The learning and growing does not stop after college.”

    — Angelica Pena

  • “I will always treasure my growth and experience provided by the ELLA program. I will definitely practice fearlessness and pride in myself.”

    — Adriadna Luna