Helen Ramirez was 29 years old when she first applied for a city manager’s opening.

She recalled thinking that her chances were slim of actually getting an offer for the job. Ramirez did it for the experience of formally seeking such a job. And she saw it as the beginning of honing her pitch and building confidence that such jobs were within her reach.

Fast forward to 2022 and Ramirez was now the deputy city manager for the city of Brownsville. Her boss – the city manager – was leaving to take a similar job in Colorado. Ramirez was appointed as Brownsville’s interim city manager and knew the top job wouldn’t be given to her without consideration of other candidates. Six months later, after mulling over two dozen candidates, the City Commission named Ramirez as the first female city manager in Brownsville’s 170-year history.

“Sometimes you have to make that decision to take that promotion even if it’s scary,” Ramirez said at a panel discussion during the recent RGV StartUp Week in Brownsville. “As the deputy, you’re right there with the city manager. I have the experience and you want to preserve what you have already created.”

“I’ve Got What It Takes”

Ramirez was among the speakers on a panel discussing insights on leadership from women who manage some of Brownsville’s key public sector organizations.

Astrid Dominguez, the executive director of the Good Neighbor Settlement House, spoke of the self-confidence needed when seeking a top leadership position. When those jobs come available, she said, seek them with the same confidence men have. Dominguez spoke of women sometimes having “the imposter syndrome” in doubting themselves when pursuing leadership positions.

“You can start doubting yourself but I go back to ‘I’ve got what it takes,’” Dominguez said of the leadership post she currently holds. “Own the room. Our accomplishments will show we can do this.”

Cori Pena had what she called her “you’re up” moment when the top job in her organization became open in 2022.  Pena is the chief executive officer at the Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation. She previously held the director of community development job at the BCIC. Pena had 12 years of experience with the organization when she applied for the CEO job. 

Proving yourself in a top leadership post is the first step, she said, the next being asking for a salary that is worthy of your accomplishments.

“That’s one of the hardest things to do,” Pena said. “Believe in yourself. Advocate for yourself in what you deserve in pay. Ask for it and then be quiet. Your work justifies it.”

Both Pena and Ramirez had years of prior experience at the organizations they now lead. Both leaders recalled the efforts they had put in to help build their respective organizations to where they stood when the top jobs became available. 

“We built this,” Ramirez said of seeking the city manager’s job. “You want to preserve what you already have.”

‘Power Is Choice’

Once established, the leaders on the StartUp panel spoke of how priorities and outlooks had changed as they have grown in their jobs.

“There is a power in being invited to the table,” Ramirez said. “It’s no longer about control and recognition. Right now, it’s about being able to make space for those that have been left out.”

Dominguez heads up Good Neighbor, a nonprofit organization that serves the homeless and low income in Brownsville, providing meals, clothing, health care and support services for those in need. Her organization is the epitome of helping those who have been left out. She sees her role as being one of working toward positive outcomes whenever possible.

“How can I contribute?” Dominguez asked. “How am I going to influence for change in our community?”

At the BCIC, Pena says she often thinks of her staff, a team she has worked with for years, and how she can continue to be a positive influence in leading them.

“Power is choice,” Pena said. “It’s about standing up for myself, still, but also about making sure to lead my staff to rise with me.”