On the left, a friend who reignited my belief in politics. On the right, the hero who inspired my love for change.

Once upon a time, I believed that the pinnacle of my purpose was to become the President of the United States. It was a dream forged in the fires of ambition, tempered by countless hours of study, preparation, public speaking, debating, and professional experience. I was crafting what I thought was the perfect narrative—a carefully groomed story that would someday lead me to the Oval Office, where I could make the most significant impact on society and leave my mark on the world.

It was a romantic endeavor, almost cinematic in its pursuit. I envisioned politics as the ideal platform to enact change, inspired by leadership akin to what we see on TV shows like The West Wing—the camaraderie, the principled debates, the relentless pursuit of the greater good. These were the hallmarks of the political world I aspired to join.

But reality, as it so often does, had other plans.

When I finally stepped into the political arena and ran for office, the bubble I had so carefully constructed around my aspirations burst.

A dream that once was: A snapshot from my early political journey. Circa 2013.

I was confronted with a side of politics far removed from the idealistic images I had clung to. It was a world where values were compromised, where integrity was often up for sale to the highest bidder. The focus wasn’t on community or the greater good—it was on individual gain, power, and survival in a system that often rewarded the worst instincts of those involved.

This realization sent me into a tailspin. Everything I had worked for, the dream I had built my life around, suddenly felt hollow. The disillusionment was profound, and I found myself questioning not only my path but the very nature of leadership and social impact. How could I reconcile the dream of making a difference with the stark reality of the political landscape?

In that moment of crisis, I was forced to dig deep, to search for the true essence of what I was trying to achieve. Slowly, a new understanding began to take shape. I realized that my quest had never been about holding a particular office or achieving a certain status. It was about generating social impact on a grand scale. It was about creating lasting change, not through the trappings of political power, but through the strength of human connections and the shared pursuit of a better world.

It became clear to me that leadership goes far beyond politics. In fact, sometimes it has nothing to do with politics at all. Leadership is about friendship, about building something meaningful in any sector—whether it’s business, education, social enterprises, or community organizing. It’s about progress, about uniting people with a shared vision, and about driving forward, even when the path is uncertain.

I dedicated myself to this new understanding of leadership, focusing on projects and initiatives that had real impact. I began to see the power of collaboration, of bringing together like-minded individuals who shared a passion for change. This realization brought me a new sense of purpose, one that was rooted in authenticity and a deeper connection to the people and causes I cared about.

For a time, I lost hope in politics. But then, a friend I had trained alongside—someone I had seen grow and develop into a formidable leader—began to rise in the political world. AOC gave me hope again. She reminded me that, while the system may be flawed, there are still those who enter the political arena with the genuine intent to serve, to uplift, and to fight for the values we hold dear.

And then President Obama—perhaps the one candidate who had once filled my political aspirations with intellectual and romantic ideals—delivered a speech at the DNC that reignited my passion. His words reminded me of why I fell in love with the idea of leadership in the first place. But this time, it wasn’t about politics alone—it was about the broader scope of what we can achieve together.

Obama spoke of a torch being passed, of the importance of fighting for the America we believe in. His message was one of unity, of resilience, and of the power of collective action. It resonated deeply with me because it mirrored my own journey—one that has led me to understand that true leadership is about bringing people together to build something greater than ourselves.

As I reflect on his words, my vision has broadened. It’s not just about fighting for the America we believe in, but about working together to create a world that reflects our shared values. This new perspective has led me to focus on building social impact throughout the Americas—across North, Central, and South America. It’s about harnessing the power of unity and collective action, not just within one nation, but across an entire region, to create lasting change.

But it’s not just about politics anymore. It’s about friendship, about reconnecting with those who have walked the journey with us, and about building the projects that will create the social impact we want to see in the world.

The time is now to channel our collective energy into something bigger. United, we have the power to build the social impact projects we once dreamed of, leveraging the strength of our shared experiences. Let’s reconnect, collaborate, and create the future we’ve always imagined, guided by the values and dreams that unite us.

The legacy of experiences that unite us is thriving, and we now have a newfound ability to shape our future. As Obama stated, “Our job is to convince people that democracy can actually deliver.” But I believe that our mission extends beyond even that—it’s about proving that leadership, in all its forms, can deliver. It’s about showing that when we come together, when we listen, when we build with purpose, we can create a better world.

As I stand at this crossroads, I am reminded that the true measure of leadership is not just in the vision we set, but in the connections we nurture. It’s about uniting people across divides, across borders, to build a future rooted in shared values and collective action. Let’s pick up the phone, reach across the table, and begin the work of building the world we know is possible.

So, let’s get to work. Let’s build the future we know is possible. Let’s do it together.

These 18 leaders from across the Americas are just the beginning. Through Futuro Las Américas, we’re building a network of visionaries committed to creating social impact across our region. Join us and be part of the next wave of change-makers shaping the future.

About BeNeXT Global and Futuro Las Américas:

BeNeXT Global is dedicated to empowering the next generation of leaders across the Americas by fostering collaboration, innovation, and social impact. Futuro Las Américas, our flagship initiative, brings together visionaries from across the region to develop projects that create meaningful change in their communities and beyond.