By Empowering Latinas Leadership Academy, ELLA will hold its Cycle 17 Graduation on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at Martin De Porres Center, 2330 Airport Drive, Columbus, Ohio, from 6:00 PM 8:30 PM.
The graduation marks the completion of ELLA’s six-month leadership and mentorship program, a journey filled with personal growth, meaningful connections, leadership development, and the confidence to lead with purpose.
Throughout the program, each mentee was paired with a dedicated mentor, participated in interactive leadership workshops, engaged in courageous conversations, built lasting relationships, and challenged themselves to grow both personally and professionally.
“Graduation is an opportunity to recognize their hard work and celebrate all they have accomplished,” said ELLA Executive Director Lillian Morales-Laster.
“ELLA’s Leadership Development Program is about creating space for Latinas to grow as leaders, build meaningful relationships, learn from one another, and recognize the power they already carry.”
Empowering Latinas Leadership Academy is a six-month program that brings together Latinas in a variety of career stages for a unique professional development experience, combining professional mentorship with culturally relevant workshops and civic engagement.
As a professional development organization that also provides board readiness, the purpose of Empowering Latinas Leadership Academy (ELLA) is to provide Latinas with the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to succeed in their chosen careers and become leaders in their fields.
Through this dual focus, Empowering Latinas Leadership Academy aims to increase the representation of Latinas on boards, promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in leadership roles, and promote Latinas’ voices to be included in Columbus Ohio’s crucial decision-making. By offering training, mentorship, and networking opportunities, Empowering Latinas Leadership Academy seeks to empower Latinas to advance professionally, break down barriers, and achieve their full potential as leaders who can positively impact their communities and society.
With the help of strategic collaborations and partnerships, we aim to promote the development of Latina talent. Our programming uplifts a community/network of Latinas that empower each other to be their best selves by tapping into their innate talent and skills to create impact in our community and city.
Applications for Cycle 18 of ELLA’s Leadership Development Program start on September 10, 2026.
The Keynote Speaker at the graduation, Dr. Ariana Hoet, PhD, executive clinical director of The Kids Mental Health Foundation, is the driving force behind their mission of providing educational resources that make sure mental health is a vital part of every child’s upbringing.
An immigrant from Venezuela, her commitment to ensuring people of all backgrounds feel accepted, celebrated, and seen is deeply personal. Her leadership and advocacy have earned her recognition as a Distinguished Hispanic Ohioan, an American Psychological Association Early Career Award recipient, and a Columbus Business First 40 Under 40 honoree.
Also, Graduation Speaker Carmen Casillas, a member of ELLA Cycle 17 who has, “throughout this journey, has experienced the challenges and opportunities that come with stepping into a deeper understanding of herself as a leader.
“As she prepares to speak on behalf of her cohort, Carmen represents the growth that happens when women are given the space to learn, be challenged, find their voice, and lead alongside other women who understand their journey. Her words will be a meaningful reflection of where Cycle 17 began, how far they have come, and what they are carrying forward.”
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