Today we’d like to introduce you to Claudia Caballero.
Claudia, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was born in Western Honduras the oldest of five. My mother arrived in Honduras as a Peace Corps volunteer from Illinois, and I was raised between the two countries. When I was 16, my parents opened a restaurant and I worked in the family business until I graduated from college in Honduras with a degree in business.
In 2011, I decided to move back to the States. I had just returned from Germany and was beginning to realize the world was much bigger than I had imagined. Living in the U.S. seemed like a way to open up my life and broaden my experience.
I lived in Austin, TX—an awesome city—and eventually landed in Knoxville. Being so far from home pushed me to get out of my comfort zone and find a way to wield my unique perspective and skill set.
Six years ago, I was hired as the Executive Director of a two-person organization with a $60,000 budget, and since then we’ve seen explosive growth.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
My job here is the hardest job I’ve ever loved. I’ve never been bored for a single day, and I’m so grateful, but if I had known how hard it was going to be, I probably wouldn’t have accepted it!
I moved here two days before starting work, so I had zero social capital in Knoxville. To be a successful CEO, you really have to have social capital and know who to ask for things.
Luckily, there were people in Knoxville—especially Latina leaders—that really wanted Centro to succeed, and they generously supported me in my journey, opening doors for me that would have otherwise been closed.
I had never led an organization before, so I didn’t start with a solid strategy (that came later). Honestly, I think in the beginning I made it work out of nothing more than grit!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in making unusual allies, connections, and partnerships, and for knowing almost anyone someone might need to meet!
I’m also known for wanting to get to the root of things and having soul conversations. I want to know who you really are. People meet me and are surprised to find that I really am like this all the time!
I am most proud of hiring an incredible team that makes Centro easy to sell. I can’t do everything, and I’ve surrounded myself with good, smart, capable people. I have a knack for finding and hiring solid team members and then nudging them out of their comfort zones.
I love to help people realize what they are capable of, and I’m so appreciative that I had the same done for me.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I had so much help along the way, but I am especially grateful for the Latinas in this community that have supported me in my journey.
I am very much a person who asks for help when I don’t know something, and I have a sort of digital Rolodex of people in my life that I have been lucky enough to be able to call on. It’s quite long but includes Patricia Robledo, Rosa Mar, Laura Contreras, Angelina Pedro, and Emma Cosigua.
I am very aware that I stand on the shoulders of all the women in this community who paved the way. I lead like a young, immigrant, bicultural woman, and so many who came before me didn’t have that luxury; they had to compromise who they were to get the respect they deserved.
Thanks to them, I get to be a leader that stands in my own style and on my own strengths.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.centrohispanotn.org
- Instagram: @centrohispanotn
- Facebook: @centrohispanotn
Image Credits
Claudia Caballero and Holly Rainey (https://themakercity.org/maker-directory/holly-rainey)
