Recently I was a panelist at the “Women Leaders…Not Business as Usual” conference hosted
by the UW-Milwaukee School of Continuing Education. I was asked to address the topic “if I
had it to all over again, I would….” Following are my prepared remarks.
I could tell you that if I had it to do all over again, I would be attending to clients in my barrio law office. Truth be known
however, I was fortunate and blessed to live my passion as President & CEO of a widely respected and award-wining business
organization; of being a community advocate; and of empowering our youth through the financial assistance of the
HCCW scholarship program, our higher learning initiative.
My journey has not been easy, but it has been unbelievably rewarding. Admittedly, stresses are extraordinarily intense
with managing a very hectic career along with sacrifices to accommodate family responsibilities. Doing everything to the
nth degree; not enough sleep; not enough fun activities; not enough exercise.
I have drawn strength and wisdom from my interactions. Still “if I had it to do all over again, I would….”
Learn how to delegate! Managing multiple responsibilities- too much to do but too little time to juggle multiple priorities. I
use many excuses for not delegating. “if I had it to do all over again, I would” learn to delegate routine activities and not
try to do everything myself.
Learn how to say NO without feeling guilty. Saying NO tactfully but firmly to requests that simply do not match my priorities
and goals. Like many other professional women, responsibilities and commitments are too numerous to count because
I find that I simply cannot say no. “if I had it to do all over again, I would” work on my ability to say no when it’s
the right answer and yes when it counts.
Find balance - implement techniques on relaxing, refocusing, refreshing and renewing. More times than not I feel like
there is just not enough of me to go around- giving 110 percent at home and 110 percent at work. “If I had to do it all
over again I would” be perfectly clear on how to better balance a challenging professional life, familial responsibilities
and personal interests. I would be brutally honest and clear on what really matters while recognizing the trade-offs and
learn how to find compromise on everyone’s expectations.
Adelante Juntos,
Maria Monreal-Cameron
President and CEO
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