The AL DÍA Women of Merit event is a celebration of women who are breaking barriers and emerging in leadership positions across the nation.

Nina Guzman, Founder & Executive Director of Alianzas de Phoenixville, is one of the honorees at the event, in the field of entrepreneurship.

In the lead-up to the event, AL DÍA asked each of the honorees about their biggest career challenges and accomplishments, gender equality in their industries and their of advice for other women looking to make their way into their particular field of work. 

Here are Nina Guzman's responses:

The most important challenge in creating Alianzas was to overcome the "new kid on the block" syndrome. Not being native to the community and where many long established nonprofits existed, I had to spend a great deal of time networking, informing & educating in order to build allyship of my peers and the giving community. 

As is the case in most industries, there is yet work to be done in equal pay for women and especially women of color.

Our focus is on the diverse communities affected by forced migration from all over the globe. In terms of immigration reform, we must push for new legislation that creates a path toward citizenship for all non citizens in the U.S.

My message to my hermanas is to unapologetically build & lead in your chosen industry. The connections & representation we offer on behalf of our communities is to be celebrated and validated by us and not allowing imposed narratives that may misrepresent us, those we serve and the businesses we build.