Gissel’s Story
Gissel Zapata, Cohort 13 Graduate
For Gissel Zapata, putting people first is part of her daily work. As Visits and Volunteer Coordinator at Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (NPH), she helps volunteers contribute their skills while supporting their needs and professional growth.
Her responsibilities require both organization and care: coordinating activities across departments, developing work plans, and meeting individually with volunteers to evaluate their progress. Alongside the schedules and responsibilities are people who need guidance, encouragement, and someone willing to listen.
Gissel, a Cohort 13 graduate, joined NPH for her internship after graduating from LMI in 2024. That experience led to a full-time position with the organization, which supports children, young people, and families in Honduras.
Reflecting on the path that brought her there, she shared:
“Being a part of LMI has meant so much more than just gaining knowledge or receiving opportunities. It has been an investment in my life, in my character, and in my professional growth. Now, I get to give that knowledge to others.”
Putting People First at Work
In her role, Gissel works with department coordinators to develop plans for volunteers’ service. She also conducts individual evaluations to follow their performance and professional development. These responsibilities give her opportunities to practice an approach to leadership that centers on understanding people and helping them contribute.
For Gissel, putting people first means listening to their needs, recognizing their abilities, and contributing to their well-being. That understanding shapes how she describes our People Over Projects campaign:
“For me, People Over Projects means that when we invest in people, we are planting seeds for the future.”
Her perspective also reminds us why the relationships within an organization matter. Behind every work plan is someone learning how to fulfill a responsibility. Behind every volunteer assignment is a person bringing their own abilities and experiences to the work.
As Gissel explains:
“Behind every project, there are people, stories, dreams, and lives. And when we invest in people, the impact goes far beyond what any project can accomplish.”
Carrying the Investment Forward
Gissel sees a connection between the support she received and the leader she wants to be today.
“What was invested in me also gives me the responsibility to help others.”
Her story offers a glimpse of what leadership after LMI can look like: coordinating a team’s efforts, paying attention to individual needs, and supporting others as they develop. In Gissel’s work, serving others includes helping volunteers find ways to serve well themselves.
Through our People Over Projects campaign, you can help more women access the education, mentoring, and leadership experiences that supported Gissel’s growth—and that they can carry into their own workplaces and communities.