Today we’d like to introduce you to Pia Lara Namdar.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
The inspiration behind why I decided to start Adelante Texas was my cultural heritage (as I was born and raised in Mexico) and wanting to be an advocate in providing a voice for our Latinas in North Texas and providing opportunities and exposure in their journeys of empowerment, prosperity, and advancement.
I moved to the United States from Mexico my junior year of high school from Veracruz in 2005, where I attended Highland Park HS in Dallas. I then attended SMU, was captain of the NCAA D1 swim team my senior year, and graduated in 2011 with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration & French. In 2016, I earned my MBA in Corporate Finance from SMU, and a month later I became a U.S. Citizen.
Over the last few years, I have realized more and more that our Latino community needs advocates in a variety of fields.
The Latino community (and especially our women) are a hardworking, loving, and diverse community, and when we are united in supporting each other, in various arenas, in various social initiatives, and diverse business endeavors, we can make an impact that reflects the value that we have in Texas.
Adelante Texas focuses on empowering our community in various areas, including personal finances, supporting emerging artists and the arts, and creating a network for Latinas to create business relationships and, in the long term, to help provide funding for start-up and emerging businesses in the Latino community.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It has been an encouraging and inspiring journey so far. I think the hardest part in starting a business that is centered around creating a strong coalition of businesses and business professionals, empowering Latina small business owners with access to funding, providing personal and business financial planning information, and supporting platforms to promote emerging artists, while preserving our Latino heritage through the arts, has been keeping up with all the opportunities!
Balancing my time can be challenging at times, but I have to remind myself to create time for myself as well.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I have always been a competitor and team player, and I enjoy staying busy in a productive manner.
I always try to be the best version of myself I can be. When I moved from Mexico to Dallas, I was honored to win the English award at Highland Park HS my senior year, and later at SMU, I enjoyed being a team member of the SMU women’s swim program, where I was honored to be selected team captain by my teammates my senior year.
I earned my MBA in Corporate Finance, which prepared me for my future roles in Global Compensation and Executive Compensation. In these roles, I’ve had to understand of how compensation works at various corporations, and at all levels from entry to executive levels, as well as I’ve had to implement and execute global compensation plans, understand (and keep up with) international compensation tax rates, and work with people from all across the globe.
I also have always had a passion for foreign languages and other cultures – I love to try foods from all around the world! And I also love to speak French.
My cultural roots, life experiences, and work experiences have allowed for Adelante Texas to exist. I’m a proud Latina and Mexican immigrant, and I want to help others move forward.
I’m most proud of my journey, as it has allowed me to become who I am today.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up.
This is a hard one! My parents made sure my siblings and I had great childhood experiences. But to pick one, it was when we visited Catemaco, Veracruz, and went through the temazcal ceremony/ritual. It was mystical and full of native heritage; it was very special and is a profound memory that I carry with me to this day.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.adelantetexas.org
- Instagram: @AdelanteTexas
