Hear about the incredible journey of Francesca Mayca Wegner, the President and Chief Possibilities Officer of Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee (HPGM), as she leads the charge for increased representation and economic opportunities for Hispanic and Latino communities in Wisconsin.
Shaped by her upbringing, Francesca embodies a determined leadership style driven by curiosity, interpersonal skills, and a deep commitment to listening, understanding, and connection. Her passion for creating positive change shines through as she spearheads HPGM's mission. Francesca's leadership thrives on community. She highlights the significance of nurturing a "circle of people" who uplift and support one another, paving the way for collective success.
Tune in to explore Francesca's inspiring journey – from fostering unity and empowerment to creating systemic change that resonates across Wisconsin and beyond. Learn about HPGM's commitment to enhancing financial sustainability, securing a permanent home, and launching a groundbreaking Latino leadership program. Find out what Francesca and her sister Gabriela are gearing up for that will celebrate the unique perspective of Midwest Latinas when you listen to this episode.
Episode Highlights:
10:45 - For us, it's focusing on a few key areas: systems and infrastructure, financial sustainability and strategic partnerships and programming. So, we are really confident that this intentional approach will help us sustain, grow, and deepen our impact in our community in a way that truly honors our legacy and is going to, in my opinion, come out on the other end with a stronger Wisconsin, not just for Latinos, but really for our state as a whole.
14:35 - None of us get to where we are or achieve what we do all on our own. I'm still waiting for someone to show me an example of someone who had no help, and I've been really blessed and have had beautiful people in my life who have nurtured me and helped me succeed.
20:15 - When we think about representation, outside of the workplace and just things like media or literature or really anything else you can imagine in your life, one of the things that my sister and I have always talked about is feeling like our perspective isn't necessarily represented.
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A movement leader who dreams big and envisions the long-term possibilities around her, Francesca Mayca Wegner recognizes that it takes resources, access, and dedication to affect sustainable change and she has dedicated her life to that very mission.
Francesca serves as President and Chief Possibilities Officer of Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee (HPGM). Appointed in April 2021, she is an advocate, connector, and convener, and has led the organization through a record growth period with its membership, philanthropic gifts, and revenue during one of the most challenging times within the global landscape.
Known as a strong and insightful partner, she welcomes leaders from all sectors, breaks down barriers, and increases access to a network that’s not always been so accessible to Latinos. In only two years, Francesca has nearly doubled HPGM’s membership, secured the largest grant in the organization’s history, redefined what ‘professionals’...