Take 5 with NELA Fellow – Rose Marquez

The Nonprofit Executive Leadership Academy Program is a year-long leadership program for female nonprofit executives that includes networking with other nonprofit professionals, access to training and professional development on executive skills in social change leadership, and a chance to receive strategic support and coaching. This Take 5 series will allow us to get a closer look at our NELA Fellows as they offer insight into their experiences as Nonprofit Executives. Want to hear even more about the career  journey of our fellows? Join us for our Social Change Career Series where our fellows and other nonprofit leaders share their career path to executive leadership as well as what inspires them to create social change. Visit http://sisgigroup.org/careerseries to register.

Rose Marquez

Executive Director, Cha Piyeh, Inc.

Rose Marquez is an enrolled tribal member of the Ohkay Owingeh Nation in Northern New Mexico and serves as the Executive Director for Cha Piyeh, Inc. , which translates to “lending money” in the Tewa language, and is a Native Community Financial Institution (CDFI) and 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

 

One Word to Describe Your Takeaway From the NELA Leadership Institute 2017.

1. What is your leadership style?

My leadership style started as a Paternalistic with one employee under me that was the age of my youngest son. I brought on another employee and based on that change, my leadership started to switch to Democratic. I felt their input was just as important as the direction and guidance that I gave them and especially because of where our organization was headed.

2. What inspired you to participate in NELA?

This was more of a directive than an inspiration from my board which I realize now was a blessing in disguise. I literally hit the ground running when I started because the organization had been stagnant for about a year with no staff on board. I was in charge of the organization’s success and I could have used this leadership academy from day one.

3. What has been one learning, takeaway or "aha" from your experience so far as a NELA Fellow?

I didn’t think I would be able to relate to the fellows in the cohort because I was Native American in a very different field from most of them but I realized that I do share a lot in common with these women who work across the country even though we aren’t in the same exact career field.

4. How do you believe NELA addresses issues pertaining to women and leadership in the nonprofit sector?

One thing that I realized from NELA is that someone recognized and understood the issues and needs of women in nonprofit leadership roles. It has been a positive part in my career and has given me the incentive to push myself further not only in this field but in my career.

5. Do you have any advice for someone who is interested in one day being in an executive role in the nonprofit sector?

I truly think that all women should strive to be a leader not only in their career but in their life. I am indeed a role model for all women who want to pursue this role and am happy to share my story with which I know I control and know will end positively.

Rose Marquez

Rose Marquez is an enrolled tribal member of the Ohkay Owingeh Nation in Northern New Mexico and serves as the Executive Director for Cha Piyeh, Inc. , which translates to “lending money” in the Tewa language, and is a Native Community Financial Institution (CDFI) and 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Cha Piyeh was developed to address a housing shortage in Ohkay Owingeh and to make homeownership a reality for Tribal Members. Through Rose’s administration and determination, services have become more accessible and Cha Piyeh has also expanded to seven other Pueblos, making the lending area available to over 10,000 people.

Rose has spearheaded the development of client relations which have resulted in revitalizing the organization and closing on over 100 loans, totaling $1.3 million. Rose has overseen and has participated with staff to provide over 90 financial education courses through group classes and one on one sessions. Most recently, Rose has worked towards a major merger between two other Native CDFI’s, including Native Community Finance based out of Laguna Pueblo, NM and Native Capital Access based out of Tempe, Arizona. By joining forces the newly reformed Native CDFI will be the premiere lending capital and development services for Native Americans in the Southwest.

Rose will also celebrate her fifth year at Cha Piyeh and is a proud mother to four children and grandmother to five grandchildren and a sixth on the way. In her time outside of the office she enjoys riding her Harley Davidson Motorcycle, Do It Yourself Projects at home and attending sporting events for her grandchildren.

Renee is a 2017 Nonprofit Executive Leadership Academy Fellow with the SISGI Group

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