In a Linkedin post early Monday evening, Esther Aguilera announced she is stepping down as President and CEO of the Latino Corporate Directors Association.

“After seven wonderful years growing and leading Latino Corporate Directors (LCDA), I am exploring other offers and look forward to many great things to come,” the post reads in part.

Aguilera joined the LCDA in 2016, becoming the main cog in implementing the strategic framework, advancement of its mission and its growth.

The LCDA is the first-of-its-kind organization of U.S. Latinos at the highest levels of corporate leadership committed to developing, supporting, and increasing the number of U.S. Latinos on corporate boards.

Today, LCDA members occupy more than 30% of board seats held by Latinos on Fortune 1000 companies.

“I am proud of our impact and growth in membership. I am proud of the talented team that I built with a great deal of capacity and smarts,” Aguilera said. 

LCDA has increased its capacity to promote more Latinos into corporate boards through two initiatives that Aguilera played a key part in creating two key programs — the BoardReady Institute (BRI) and the BRINext.

The former is a comprehensive set of exclusive, in-person programs unique designed to prepare and position new and aspiring directors for boardroom success, while the latter aids members who are interested in taking a deeper dive into corporate governance education. 

“I thank the LCDA and the LCDEF [Latino Corporate Directors Education Fund] Boards for trusting me to build something new and dynamic,” Aguilera shared. 

Aguilera highlights her belief that a 5-6 year tenure as CEO of a nonprofit or for-profit organization is a good time to make a mark.

“It is healthy for an organization to have a healthy transition point and bring in new blood, building on a solid foundation,” she said. 

Her impact in growing LCDA falls perfectly in line with the mission she has had in all of her previous roles, which include President and CEO of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI), legislative director of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), and junior policy analyst at NCLR.

“My brand is about impact and results,” said Aguilera. 

This was shown when in 2021, Latinos experienced a four-fold increase in public boards appointments in the first six months of the year, compared to the same period the year prior with more than 350 Latinos appointed onto public company boards nationwide.

LCDA continues to do its part in moving the needle for Latinos on corporate boards. 

“I have accomplished my mission and look forward to staying in touch with the Board Members, Staff, and LCDA community,” she added. 

Now, Aguilera will soon be taking on a new opportunity.

“I am exploring other offers and look forward to many great things to come,” she said. 

As Aguilera contemplates the next step of her career, she has a message regarding her impending successor in leading the LCDA.

“I leave on a positive, high mark knowing LCDA is in great hands and poised for the next person to take it further. I know there will be tremendous capable leaders to that will step up and step in,” she said.