Gina Gomez
Executive Director, El Centro Hispano
About me: I hold a bachelor’s degree in psychology from La Sabana University in Bogotá, Colombia, and am a graduate of Leadership Jonesboro 2014. I am a board member of the Craighead County Community Foundation, the Jonesboro Economic Development Corporation and the NEA Hispanic Professional Network.
I am also a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. I love traveling and meeting people from different cultures. I enjoy spending time with my children Juanita and Simon, as well as my beloved dogs Bruno and Daisy.
I have received numerous recognitions, including the 2020 Arkansas Money & Politics Future50 recognition, 40 Years 40 Leaders for Arkansas by the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation and received the key to the City of Jonesboro from Mayor Harold Perrin in recognition for the impact of my work in the community.
Lives/Works in: Jonesboro
Lesson Learned the Hard Way: Your passions and beliefs may not be shared by everyone, but it’s important to not let it discourage how hard you fight for your beliefs. You may find that you can’t expect the same support or enthusiasm from others that you have provided them, so you must be patient. Remember that adjusting your expectations helps.
Proudest Moment of Impact: The support we received from the community for the construction of our new facility made me realize the impact of the work we are doing, not just for the Hispanic community, but for the northeast Arkansas community as a whole. We are bringing our community together by creating a space where people can meet, connect and have a sense of belonging. I feel proud that together we have created a very unique organization where respect and acceptance of each other are celebrated.
What Keeps Me Motivated: The knowledge that my work positively affects the lives of individuals is highly motivating, and seeing the tangible difference, whether it’s improving someone’s quality of life, providing opportunities or supporting their well-being, fuels my sense of purpose and drive to continue. Building a strong foundation that will benefit future generations is what keeps me going.
TOP 100 WOMEN OF IMPACT IN ARKANSAS 2023
A Women’s Foundation of Arkansas Initiative