Roberto Barragán serves as the managing director for the Initiating Change in Our Neighborhoods Community Development Corp., a small-business lender and resource center headquartered in Van Nuys better known as ICON CDC.
He previously helmed the Valley Economic Development Center, which was one of the top small-business lenders in the area.
Here, Barragán reflects on one of the biggest mistakes of his career, the lesson it taught him and good principles for a leader to follow.
Learning from my mistakes
Early in my career, I served for four years as the executive director of a nonprofit organization that focused on small-business and community revitalization in a Latino neighborhood in Northern California. I worked to start new businesses, expand existing ones, and attempt to move forward community economic development by using art, tourism and cultural identities as tools for change.
Although I implemented innovative solutions to neighborhood blight and decline, including social enterprises and job-creating ventures, I was eager and brash. I exhibited a lack of prudence and caution that resulted in unsatisfactory financial management.
Sound financial management and compliance reporting have (since) been integral in my tactical and strategic planning and implementation over the last 20 years. I have learned that program growth and organizational expansion without corresponding financial-system development and strong fundraising will create cashflow challenges and overshadow the progress made to address community problems.
Guiding principles as a leader
For a leader to inspire others to follow their vision, they need to create an agenda that can be easily articulated, widely agreed upon and worthy of the hard work required to turn ideas into actions. As someone who’s spent their entire career in the nonprofit sector, it’s particularly important to remember that people are engaged for the mission rather than the money. Developing a supportive and rewarding environment as a leader is crucial to success.
I firmly believe that leadership is about creating change, rather than receiving credit.
Latino identity impacts connection to local community
While the San Fernando Valley has almost 1 million Latino residents, I see a lack of recognition of the Latino community, its stakeholders and it needs. There is also a lack of Latino organization and community building in the Valley. As a Mexican American – I prefer the term Chicano – I have always advocated for recognition of the Latino community and tried to support organizations, such as ICON CDC, that serve Latinos.
There are important signs of progress, though, that we can build upon … However, Latinos are not adequately represented on city commissions and the boards of directors for banks, hospitals, universities, museums and so forth. Lack of capital continues to be a problem for Latino business growth. ICON CDC seeks to address these barriers to Latino economic development and is working with VICA (Valley Industry & Commerce Association), local chambers and others to create lasting change. – TAYLOR MILLS