Leadership in Community with Vivian Huelgo and Celina de Sola

At Esperanza United, we know no single organization or person is going to end gender-based violence alone – it will take communities, working together. That’s why Latina leadership and community-based solutions are two of our organizational values. 

To advance this strengths-based approach, Esperanza United President and CEO Vivian Huelgo, J.D. is interviewing leaders across the fields of gender-based violence prevention and Latin@ empowerment and beyond. Read on to learn leadership lessons, celebrate the people doing the work, and share in our gratitude for our vibrant community. 

In this edition, Vivian speaks with Celina de Sola,a Salvadoran social entrepreneur  and Co-Founder and President of Glasswing International. Pues, vamos: 

Vivian Huelgo: One of our organizational values is Latina leadership – what does (Latina) leadership mean to you? 

Celina de Sola: The leaders I admire most are those who make room for others to lead. As Lao Tzu’s quote goes, “A leader is best when people barely know he exists. When his work is done, his aims fulfilled, they will all say: ‘We did this ourselves.’” 

Vivian Huelgo: That’s beautiful. On an individual level, how do you keep your team motivated and mission-driven despite challenges and obstacles?  

Celina de Sola: At times, we must hold both despair and hope at the same time, and that’s okay. I try to stay grounded in the ‘why’ behind the work, remember that even overwhelming times will also pass, and focus on celebrating and feeling gratitude for the smaller successes and accomplishments.   

Vivian Huelgo: Thank you. Can you share a leadership lesson you learned recently that surprised you?  

Celina de Sola: We lost 40% of our funding and had to downsize almost overnight, while trying to power through and continue our work. We’ve realized that – even though we didn’t know how we would get through this – the solidarity, compassion, and collective determination of the team is what’s kept us going strong.  

Vivian Huelgo: One of our organizational values is living free from violence, what does a violence-free future look like to you?  

Celina de Sola: If each of us understands the impact of stress and trauma on ourselves and others – and learn to manage it so that we can build safe and positive relationships – then we can prevent the perpetuation of violence. This way, we can live without fear and become our best selves.  

Vivian Huelgo: Gratitude is also so important. Can you tell me about something you are grateful for?  

Celina de Sola: I’m grateful for my family and friends, for the people I get to work with, and for access to nature and wildlife, which I love. I’m also deeply grateful for the opportunity to do what I care deeply about, every day. 

More about Celina de Sola 

Celina de Sola is a Salvadoran social entrepreneur and Co-Founder and President of Glasswing International, a nonprofit operating in 12 countries across Latin America, the Caribbean, and New York City. Glasswing works with communities to unlock the potential of children and young people through programs focused on education, economic opportunities, and mental health.   

Celina brings over 25 years of experience in international development and social impact. Before Glasswing, she was a case manager and subsequently spent time as a humanitarian aid worker in countries including Afghanistan, Iraq, Sudan, Liberia, and post-tsunami Indonesia, where she began to focus more on mental health. Celina is an Ashoka and Obama Foundation Fellow and awardee of the Skoll Foundation, Schwab Social Entrepreneur, and The Audacious Project. She did a TED Talk in 2022 on mental health and violence prevention and recently named to the TIME100 in Philanthropy 2025. Celina serves on several boards, including Kokoro and the Inter-American Foundation. She holds master’s degrees in social work and public health from the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard, respectively. 

She lives with her husband, son, and two dogs, is passionate about nature and wildlife, and dances to at least one song daily.