Finding Her Voice and Growing Into the Leader She’s Meant to Be
Growth rarely happens inside our comfort zones. For Jaylan Hernandez, joining Leadership Elsa has been an opportunity to step outside of hers—building confidence, strengthening her communication skills, and discovering that her ideas have value.
Having spent most of her life in Elsa, Jaylan has always felt a strong connection to the community she calls home. Today, she works as an administrative assistant at the Elsa Economic Development Corporation (Elsa EDC), where she enjoys the variety and constant opportunities to learn.
“I like that there’s always something new,” she said. “Every couple of weeks there’s a new challenge. It makes me think, ‘Can I do this?’ Then I realize that I can, and it pushes me to see what else I’m capable of.”
Outside of work, Jaylan enjoys spending time with her boyfriend and dog, exploring South Texas, and two-stepping to country music whenever she gets the chance.
Embracing New Opportunities
Jaylan’s professional journey hasn’t followed a traditional path.
Before joining the Elsa EDC, she spent years working in the medical field, including dental and ophthalmology offices. While she appreciated those experiences, she eventually realized she was ready for a new challenge.
“I wanted something completely different,” she said. “I’d worked in the medical field since high school, whether it was dental or ophthalmology, and I wasn’t really interested in that anymore. I wanted to try something I didn’t even go to school for.”
Taking that leap has opened new doors and broadened her perspective. Looking ahead, Jaylan hopes to continue growing professionally, taking on greater responsibilities, and exploring opportunities that challenge her in new ways.
She has even considered owning her own business one day, creating video content that combines her creativity with her entrepreneurial interests.
Learning From Great Leaders
Jaylan says one of the people who has had the biggest influence on her professional growth is Daniel Rivera, Executive Director of the Elsa EDC.
She admires his determination, professionalism, and ability to lead by example.
“He’s very well spoken, very driven,” she said. “If he wants to get something done, he’s going to get it done.”
Watching leaders like Rivera inspired Jaylan to continue investing in her own growth through Leadership Elsa.
She joined the program hoping to become a stronger communicator, develop greater confidence, and learn more about leadership and business.
“I wanted to be more well spoken and less shy,” she said. “I wanted more knowledge on the business aspect, how to talk to people professionally, how to handle things differently, and be stronger and more independent in the work environment.”
Looking back, she says the experience has delivered exactly what she was hoping for.
“They put you out there to talk more and hear what other people have to say,” she said. “They bring people from different industries, and hearing how they came up or how they speak about their businesses is very motivational.”
Finding Her Voice
Perhaps the biggest lesson Jaylan has taken away from Leadership Elsa has been learning to trust herself.
“I speak up more now,” she said. “Now I’m more likely to say, ‘We should do this,’ or ‘We should try that.’ I think that’s better than being in the corner.”
That shift has helped her recognize something she didn’t always believe.
“I’ve realized my ideas are helpful,” she said. “They’re useful.”
Leadership Elsa has also encouraged her to become a better communicator by asking questions, keeping an open mind, and learning from those around her.
“It’s helped me learn how to learn,” she said. “I have to be more open-minded.”
One of her favorite parts of the program has been the group discussions.
“I think the group discussions are really fun because everybody has different ideas and different thoughts,” she said. “It’s refreshing to hear that not everybody thinks the same.”
For Jaylan, those conversations have reinforced an important lesson: some of the best ideas come from listening to different perspectives.
Investing in the Next Generation
Jaylan is currently working with her classmates on the Youth Garden Market capstone project, an initiative designed to introduce young people to entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and business ownership. For her, the project fills a gap she noticed while growing up.
“No one really talked about financial stuff or how to own a business, run a business, or what to invest in,” she said. “The Youth Garden Market helps kids learn those concepts at a young age, so when they’re older, they already have that foundation.”
Working alongside her classmates has become one of the most rewarding parts of the project.
“If I have an idea and ask how it could get better, everybody puts their ideas in,” she said. “It makes the concept better, and I like that a lot.”
A Toolbox That Never Stops Growing
When asked what she would tell someone considering Leadership Elsa, Jaylan’s answer was simple.
“I would tell them to do it.”
She also shared one piece of advice that has stayed with her throughout the program.
“There is no such thing as having too many tools in your toolbox.”
Leadership Elsa has become one of those tools—helping her strengthen her confidence, sharpen her communication skills, and continue growing as both a professional and a leader. She believes leadership isn’t something that happens overnight.
“Don’t rush into it,” she said. “It takes time. Making mistakes is how people learn, and having challenges is how you grow as a leader.”
Looking Ahead
When asked how she hopes people will remember her ten years from now, Jaylan didn’t mention titles or accomplishments. Instead, she focused on the kind of person she wants to be.
“I hope they remember that I was dependable, a go-getter, and never backed down from a challenge.”
As Jaylan continues finding her voice, she’s also demonstrating what Leadership Elsa is all about: giving emerging leaders the confidence, skills, and perspective to make a lasting difference in their workplaces, their community, and the future of Elsa.
