Member Spotlight: Guille Gil-Reynoso
Written by AWC-SB Board Member Hilary S. Lyn
The recipient of the 2017 AWC Lois Phillips Founder’s Award shares her vision for youth leadership, passion for the community, and focus for 2023.“Over time and throughout my career journey, I’ve learned that clear communication is critical in expressing your ideas and goals in whatever field you are in.”
Guille Gil-Reynoso
Why did you join AWC?
There is something extraordinary about women supporting other women in our career journeys. I was co-founder of the Santa Barbara Latina Leaders Network, which focused on bringing women together to discuss some of the topics we were all navigating. We felt that there was a lack of professional visibility of Latina women, so we held workshops on communications, leadership development, consensus building, negotiation skills, etc. —many topics that AWC also promoted. The Santa Barbara Latina Leaders Network brought together more than 100 women from the community to engage in these workshops.
Conversations that help us navigate our career journeys are beneficial, and this prompted me to discover what else was happening in my broader circle. I found AWC through Lois Phillips and discovered that this is a wonderful organization and a hidden jewel.
What inspires you to do the work you do?
I’m very passionate about my community, as I grew up in Santa Barbara. When I started my career in landscape architecture, my desire to support my community shifted my career focus, leading me to work for the Santa Barbara Foundation for 10 years. I managed the foundation’s grant program, which focused on food, shelter, and health care. My time there was meaningful because it provided a touch point to many organizations that are doing great work.
Leadership development is another interest of mine, especially the focus on the next generation of leaders. I’m interested in providing access and broadening pathways for the younger members of our community so that they continue their education and pursue their professional career goals.
Another area of particular interest includes supporting young professionals who are becoming more engaged with nonprofit boards and creating a pipeline for the next generation of leaders. Writing and sharing alumni, student, and donor stories are a favorite part of my role as Advancement & Communications Manager at Cate School, a four-year, coeducational university preparatory boarding school in Carpinteria, California.
What other organizations are you involved in?
I was one of three co-founders of the Santa Barbara Latino Giving Circle. We partnered with the Latino Community Foundation in San Francisco and local community leaders to pool our financial resources and make small and meaningful grants to Latino-led organizations. I previously served on the Crane Country Day School board of trustees and am currently involved with Toastmasters.
On the personal side, anything recent?
This past December, I traveled to Abu Dhabi and Dubai with my sister and the Telemundo team to see the FIFA World Cup. Despite getting COVID, it was an amazing trip! I never thought I’d be traveling that far across the world and experiencing that culture and its people. It was a fantastic experience.
What are you looking forward to in 2023?
For me, 2023 is the year of re-engagement. I’m looking forward to seeing how I can serve those organizations I’m most passionate about. I want to support the community that has been so good to me.
Interested in connecting with Guille Gil-Reynoso? Email her and find her on LinkedIn.
Hilary S. Lyn is the AWC-SB Membership Chair, incoming AWC-SB President, and Director of Alumni Relations at Fielding Graduate University