Through our Boards & Commissions Leadership Institute, we have cultivated the leadership of 168 alumni and counting who have gone on to create transformational change at every level. Alum Elvis Rivera, from our 2022-23 cohort, has been boldly leading through the Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs. Read his story below!
“When I joined the Boards and Commissions Leadership Institute (BCLI) in 2022, I knew I wanted to serve on a state-appointed board. What I didn’t fully understand yet was what that kind of leadership would require. One of the most valuable parts of the experience was the opportunity to learn directly from experienced public servants, community leaders, and board members. Through those conversations, I gained a behind-the-scenes understanding of how public boards function, the responsibilities they carry, and the realities of public service. Just as importantly, I gained the confidence to see myself serving in those spaces. I learned that effective leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about understanding systems, listening intently, asking better questions, and recognizing that meaningful change takes time and collaboration.
Those lessons prepared me to serve on the Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs (MCLA), where I have represented District 3 since June 2023. Serving on MCLA has challenged and strengthened my leadership in ways I hadn’t anticipated. The work has reinforced that public service rarely comes with perfect agreement. More often, it requires bringing together diverse perspectives, navigating complex public issues, and staying focused on serving the public good. I’ve come to realize that advocating for community is less about choosing sides and more about choosing solutions. Whether discussing economic opportunity, issues affecting immigrant communities, or other priorities impacting Latinx Minnesotans, some of our most meaningful work has involved shaping recommendations for state leaders while ensuring community voices remain at the center of difficult conversations. At times, those discussions have reflected the uncertainty and complexity many people are experiencing, particularly within immigrant communities. They have also reminded me that progress depends on our willingness to stay engaged, even when agreement isn’t immediate.
A leadership book I recently finished introduced the idea of staying ‘on the line’ during moments of uncertainty. That phrase has stuck with me because it captures so much of what public service has taught me. I’ve learned that real leadership often begins with listening, building trust, and creating space for people to work through difficult challenges together.
Looking back, BCLI did more than prepare me to serve on a state-appointed board. It sparked a commitment to continually grow as a leader. Since then, I was honored to be selected as a Bush Fellow, and as part of that journey I’ve intentionally pursued opportunities to learn from leaders across the country and around the world. Those experiences have shown me countless examples of people creating transformational change through innovation, grit, and cross-sector collaboration. They’ve also shown me how progress slows when organizations lose sight of the bigger picture or become unwilling to truly listen to one another. More than anything, they’ve reinforced my belief that no single organization, sector, or leader can solve our biggest challenges alone.
It’s a lesson that has continued to surface through my reading and leadership experiences. The more I’ve learned, the more convinced I’ve become that lasting solutions are built by bringing together government, business, philanthropy, education, and community. That belief is also reflected in the focus of my Bush Fellowship. My Bush Fellowship is centered on expanding economic opportunity by helping close the racial wealth gap through greater access, financial literacy, and education. I believe education is the foundation that allows each generation to build upon the sacrifices of those who came before them. To me, that work is one expression of a much broader responsibility we all share to leave our communities stronger than we found them.
I stand on the shoulders of giants who walked so that we could run. They did their part for us. Now it is our responsibility to do our part for those who come after us. Our actions are watched, our example is emulated, and the work we do today helps determine the opportunities available to the next generation. That’s why I often say, ‘Those that can should. I can, so I will.’ I’ve always believed public service is part of our responsibility to one another.
In a time marked by polarization and division, I believe our greatest opportunity is not to retreat into our differences but to lean into collaboration. Leadership is not about having the loudest voice. It’s about bringing people together around a shared purpose, staying at the table long enough to build trust, and leaving our communities stronger than we found them.”
