By Migdalia Diaz, Chief Operating Officer

Growing up, I was acutely aware of being different and of the need to fit in. My mother often told me to keep my head down and work hard, assuring me that people would eventually recognize the value and determination we bring as Latinos. At the time, I didn’t fully understand the sacrifices my parents made to give us a brighter future. They moved us from Puerto Rico to the Bronx, and later to a small beach town in Connecticut, where we were one of only five families of color. 

I believed my mother’s words: that hard work could make anything possible. I enlisted in the Army National Guard to put myself through college while serving my country. Between the Guard, multiple jobs, and my studies, I pushed myself forward and eventually landed a position at a Big 8 accounting firm. I thought I had “made it.” 

But the reality was different. For the first eight years of my career, I worked tirelessly only to see peers advance in ways I didn’t. Success felt like a puzzle I couldn’t solve. 

Everything shifted in 2005, when I moved to Boston and met Mike Colvin, a partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers. He introduced me to ALPFA, a national Latino professional development organization focused on career advancement. Suddenly, I was surrounded by professionals whose stories mirrored mine. For the first time, I experienced the power of community.  

Through candid conversations with this community, I realized I had tried so hard to be whatever was needed that I only embraced parts of myself at any given time. Recognizing all of who I am—American, Puerto Rican, Military—became the gateway to embodying my whole self in every space, and that was powerful. In fact, it changed how I approach everything in life. 

In 2010, I began working with the Latino community in Massachusetts and later across the country. That work revealed deep inequities starting at birth. Everyone had a story of obstacles and opportunities they had to fight for. I began to wonder where our efforts should focus to ease the path for future generations. The answer was clear: education.

Over the next 15 years, I worked alongside incredible people from all backgrounds who have dedicated decades to bridging those gaps. They taught me the importance of crossing cultural divides to create solutions. They showed me how change is possible.

Still, I knew that I wanted my next role to focus more directly on education. So, when I learned that Latinos for Education was searching for its next COO, it felt like fate. Here, I have the rare privilege of aligning my professional purpose with a mission that lives in my heart: ensuring all children have access to the education they deserve. Here, I am surrounded by colleagues who believe in the same vision and work every day to build a future where Latino students, and all students, can thrive.

Through our programs, I have witnessed the transformative impact of community: leading with identity, bridging across cultures, and rising together. These values are not abstract; they are the engine behind real change.

And yet, the world around us keeps shifting. We face political uncertainty, social fractures, and personal hardships. In moments of exhaustion or isolation, it is easy to forget we are not alone. But time and again, community reminds me of our collective strength, the arms that carry us, the lessons of those who came before us, and the hope that sustains us.

If my journey has taught me anything in these 49 years, it is that we are stronger together. None of us knows what tomorrow holds, but I do know that unity gives us the courage to move forward.

So here is my invitation: if this resonates with you and you want to help shape the future of education, join us. Stay engaged with our work, sign up to our newsletter, and consider making a gift today. Your support ensures Latino students have the opportunities they deserve, and together, we can create the tidal wave of change our children need.

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Migdalia Diaz is Chief Operating Officer at Latinos for Education, bringing 20+ years of experience across operations, public service, and community leadership. Born in Puerto Rico and raised on the mainland U.S., she served eight years in the Connecticut Army National Guard—an experience that shaped her leadership and commitment to service. Before joining L4E in 2023, Migdalia held senior roles at the Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA)—including Boston Chapter President and national COO—and later served the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as Chief of Staff and then Chief Operating Officer at the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development. At Latinos for Education, she advances organizational systems that expand opportunity for Latino students, families, and educators. Migdalia serves on the boards of Junior Achievement of Northern New England and WeReach and on ALPFA Boston’s Corporate Advisory Board, and she mentors emerging leaders committed to equity and economic mobility.