In honor of Women’s Day, three voices from TECHO different roles and from different regions—come together to reflect on what it means to lead today. Priscilla Cortezze, a member of the Board of Directors of TECHO ; Daniela Barragán, Director of TECHO ; and Pao, a volunteer with TECHO , agree that leading today is not about having all the answers, but about building together with others.
What does it mean to be a leader?
At TECHO, leadership takes many forms. For Dani, leadership is far from the traditional idea of a single person making decisions. “A leader is born with a purpose, but is shaped by collective skills, organization, and confidence in oneself and one’s team,” she explains. In her view, leading is not just about directing, butabout “paving the way”so that each person can reach their full potential.
ㅤ
According to Priscilla, leadership is “bringing out the best in people.” She says she feels like a leader when she sees her team happy. For her, leadership means empowering others: “To me, leadership is bringing out the best in people. I feel most like a leader when I see the team happy.”
"No one does anything alone; we're stronger when we share a common purpose, know our goals, and want to get there together."
– Priscilla Cortezze.
ㅤ
That same purpose translates into direct action on the ground, where Pao embodies leadership by spending time with the communities every weekend. For her, being a leader doesn’t mean having all the answers or placing herself above others. On the contrary, she agrees with Dani and Priscilla that the key lies in others: “It’s about supporting, listening, and making sure everyone on the team feels like they’re part of what they’re building.”
The Women Who Support Us
Behind each of these leaders are other women who have supported them on their journey. For Priscilla, that support stems from the heart of her home: she inherited from her mother the drive to seek financial independence, and from her sister, an example of resilience and courage. Today, that chain continues with her daughters, from whom she learns to “rethink the way I view life, giving them the freedom to question and choose their own paths.”
It is that same strength of family that drives Pao. At home, she learned that leadership is, above all, about knowing how to support others. When she arrived in the communities with TECHO, she discovered that she was also inspired by other volunteers and role models who lead with care and conviction, teaching her that being there for others is the most revolutionary act of all.
According to Dani, her inspiration comes from “the women community leaders who defend their territory and transform pain into collective organization,” she says. From them, and from the women closest to her, she learned a fundamental lesson for any leader: “that strength is not at odds with tenderness and care.”
Turning Barriers into Obstacles
Leadership for women still comes with its own challenges. Pao says that she sometimes encounters “little comments or attitudes” that cast doubt on her abilities. Those moments, though they may seem minor, are what have driven her to trust her own voice more and lean on other women for support.
Dani agrees that holding decision-making positions isn't easy: "It still involves dealing with doubts about your abilities or expectations about how you should behave." However, for her, the biggest lesson has been understanding that her role goes beyond simply holding a position.
“It’s not just about speaking up and taking our place, but about changing the rules of the game so that more women can participate, make decisions, and build a future.”
– Daniela Barragán.
For all of them, the key has been not to walk alone. Priscilla emphasizes that strength comes from a shared purpose, with the conviction that no one has to do everything on her own to be a true leader.
Words for the Journey
In closing, we’d like to ask you to share a message for those who, like them, are seeking to transform the reality of Latin America and the Caribbean
Dani pauses to speak to her past self, that young woman who was just getting started: “I’d tell her to always trust her intuition. Activism can be a challenging path, but the change she dreamed of when she started as a volunteer is indeed possible when we build it together.”
For her part, Pao addresses those who haven't joined TECHO yet: "Go for it. We often think we have to know a lot or be very well prepared, but in reality, you learn everything along the way."
Finally, Priscilla addresses the TECHO volunteers directly, acknowledging the value of their dedication: “Your leadership is essential to supporting our dream of overcoming poverty by promoting decent housing. Always be true to yourselves, and live life with lightness and positive energy.”
On this Women’s Day, we reaffirm that change is a collective effort. With our feet on the ground and our hands to work, we will continue to build TECHO more just and poverty-free future alongside every woman at TECHO .
ㅤ
Written by Lucía Carabelli