Ep 250 – From Undocumented Immigrant to Forbes 30 Under 30 Lister with BIPOC Founder of Aliento
From Undocumented Immigrant to Forbes 30 Under 30 Lister with BIPOC Founder of Aliento, Reyna Montoya
Being different can often feel like a burden, an isolating force that sets us apart from the crowd. This week’s guest knows this burden all too well, having grown up in the US unable to speak English and lacking an immigration status. Being different once created big barriers in Reyna Montoya’s life; but today, her BIPOC and immigrant identity is her superpower, enabling her to change lives for the better.
In this episode of PEERS, we’re joined by Reyna Montoya, CEO and Founder of Aliento to talk about the benefits of getting to know yourself on a deeper level, conquering self-doubt, and navigating the hurdles that arise from being different.
Reyna Montoya:
Finding your “why” is a crucial step all entrepreneurs must undertake when it comes to defining your purpose. After all, your “why” is the driving force that keeps you committed, focused, and resilient during both the good and the bad times. But how do we find it? For this week’s guest, discovering her “why” came naturally, from both the challenges she faced growing up different and the deep love she felt for her community.
Inspired by her lived experience of being an undocumented immigrant, Reyna Montoya founded Aliento, a community organisation that supports students and families impacted by the inequities of lacking an immigration status through educational initiatives, leadership development, and policy & advocacy. Reyna’s ultimate goal is to transform trauma into hope and action and help youth become agents of change in their communities.
In this episode of PEERS, we’re joined by Reyna Montoya, CEO and Founder of Aliento to talk about the benefits of getting to know yourself on a deeper level, conquering self-doubt, and navigating the barriers that arise from being different.
Street Cred:
Reyna Montoya is the CEO and Founder of Aliento, a community organization that supports students and families impacted by the inequities of lacking an immigration status through educational initiatives, leadership development, and policy & advocacy. In 2022, Aliento was instrumental in the passing of Proposition 308, a policy endorsed by Barack Obama, that now allows undocumented immigrants who graduate from an Arizona high school to receive in-state tuition for college.
