Leadership in Community with Vivian Huelgo and Jennifer White-Reid, Esq.

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 conversation, Vivian speaks with Jennifer White-Reid, Esq., Chief of Staff & Senior Advisor to the CEO at Urban Resource Institute (URI), a national leader in providing domestic violence shelter services and support for individuals experiencing homelessness. With over 30 years of experience, Jennifer has dedicated her career to advancing the empowerment and well-being of underserved individuals and families. Through her leadership at URI, she has helped expand access to emergency and transitional housing and advance trauma-informed approaches that support tens of thousands of survivors each year. With a background in law and extensive experience working directly with survivors, she brings a powerful perspective on advocacy, systems change, and the collective work required to create lasting impact. Pues, vamos:

Vivian: One of our organizational values is Latina Leadership. What does leadership mean to you?

Jennifer: Leadership means holding both vision and responsibility at the same time.  It’s about seeing what’s possible, and then doing the hard, consistent work to make that possibility real. It also requires the courage to challenge systems, and the compassion to walk alongside individuals as they rebuild their lives.  

Vivian: How do you mentor or support the next generation of leaders?

Jennifer: I mentor by creating access and opportunity. People opened doors for me, and it is my responsibility to do the same. I also believe in honest mentorship – sharing lessons learned, including mistakes, because growth doesn’t come from perfection; it comes from reflection and the willingness to do better.  

Vivian: How do you stay innovative and motivated in your work?

Jennifer: Innovation in this field comes from listening. The families and survivors we serve are constantly teaching us what works and what doesn’t. Staying close to the community keeps the work relevant and responsive.  I also surround myself with smart, mission-driven colleagues who challenge assumptions and bring new ideas forward.

Vivian: What is a lesson you learned recently that surprised you?

Jennifer: Taking time to rest and prioritize our well-being isn’t stepping away from the work; it’s protecting our ability to do it well and for the long term. In our work, there is always more to do, and sustaining ourselves ensures we can continue showing up with clarity, compassion, and strength.

Vivian: One of our other organizational values is living free from violence. What does a violence-free future look like to you?

Jennifer: A violence-free future looks like prevention, not just intervention, where safety is the norm, not the exception.  It also means systems that believe survivors, respond quickly, and center dignity at every turn. It’s a future where safety and housing are recognized not as privileges, but as fundamental human rights.

Vivian: Gratitude is so important. Tell me about something you are grateful for.

Jennifer: I am grateful for the resilience of the people we serve. Working alongside survivors and families who continue to hope and rebuild despite enormous challenges is both humbling and inspiring. I am also thankful for my team, family, and friends who help me find joy, even during the toughest moments.

More about Jennifer White-Reid, Esq.

Jennifer White-Reid, Esq. has dedicated over 30 years to advancing the empowerment and well-being of underserved individuals and families. As Chief of Staff & Senior Advisor to the CEO at Urban Resource Institute (URI), Jennifer serves as a strategic thought partner, driving alignment across administrative, programmatic, funding, and policy priorities. She oversees the execution of organizational initiatives, manages the CEO’s office, and liaises with the Board of Trustees to advance URI’s mission. URI is the nation’s largest provider of domestic violence shelter services and a leading provider of services for the unhoused, operating 25 emergency and transitional housing sites that utilizes a trauma-informed approach that positively impacts the lives of approximately 40,000 people annually.