An intimate Q & A with our new Director of Finance, Xandi Aranda
Managing a nonprofit's finances is a big job. But Xandi Aranda, Adelante's new Director of Finance is more than ready to take it on.
At Adelante Mujeres, our commitment to our mission – to help build a more just society by empowering Latinas to lead – is strongly interwoven into everything that we do, including how we manage money.
Xandi Aranda
Financial inequity is a big problem in the U.S.
When the median net worth for single black women is just $200 and $100 for Latina women (compared to $15,640 for single white women and $28,900 for single white men), we've got a problem as a society.
One way to work towards a solution is to hire women of color into leadership roles when it comes to managing finances.
We sat down (virtually) with Xandi to talk about her life growing up at the U.S.-Mexico border, how she became a financial expert, and how financial management can help break the cycle of racial inequality.
Can you tell us a bit about your family and where you grew up?
I grew up on the US-Mexico border. I lived and went to school in both El Paso, TX and Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico at different times and I spent many hours commuting back and forth over the international bridge. My life was split between both countries. My mother was raised in Los Angeles and is a native English speaker, while my father was raised in Juarez and spoke mostly Spanish. I like to think I had the best of both worlds. I could walk to the noisy and delicious smelling tortillería near my abuelita’s house in downtown Juarez and then cross the border to shop for shoes and peanut butter.
How did you relate to money growing up?
Even though my family was working class for US standards, I was always aware of our privilege when compared to most families in Juarez. I remember playing with friends who had live-in maids and every imaginable toy. While at other times, I was the “rich kid” because our home had a small yard and I had been to Disneyland once. Social classes were part of growing up for me, which led me to question the extreme inequality that existed. These early realizations inspired me to study Economics in college and planted the seed to work toward a more equitable world.
What made you decide to pursue a career in finance, and what was that journey like for you?
After graduating from college with an Economics degree, I knew I wanted to work in the nonprofit sector. I moved to Washington DC knowing how many organizations were headquartered there. However, I found myself in an extremely competitive job market with no network and little professional experience. I waited tables and was a temporary employee while I searched for a permanent position. I finally started working at the National Council of la Raza (now UnidosUS) as an Assistant. A supervisor saw my potential and transferred me to the Finance Department, where I quickly learned on the job and was eventually promoted. It took several more years for me to be able to go back to school for a Master’s and then earn my CPA, however, my interest in nonprofits never wavered.
The COVID-19 pandemic has hit Latinas and other women of color exceptionally hard. How can forward-thinking finance management help break the cycle of racial inequality?
The problems of income and wealth inequality are caused by long-standing institutional structures. I believe Adelante Mujeres’ mission and core values push back on the prevailing paradigm by focusing on empowering Latinas. Adelante not only seeks to strengthen the participants’ own educational and financial standing but also lead in their community, which will open the doors for more women to rise. My role as a director is to not only make sure Adelante is in strong financial health to fulfill its important mission but also, provide opportunities for staff to develop as professionals and allow for their own personal growth. Finally, it is also essential that every policy and decision is seen through an equity lens.
In the financial services industry, women of color represent one in five employees at entry levels but virtually disappear from representation at a higher level. Why is it important to increase Latina leadership within the finance sector?
Unfortunately, I am all too familiar with this trend both within and outside of the financial-service industry. I was the only non-white person working at a public accounting firm in Tucson, AZ, and only once did I encounter a Latina in a leadership position of the many organizations we audited. I did not like being the sole voice of my community and feeling like I am the exception to the rule. While aspiring Latina professionals suffer when they are omitted from the networks of those in power, organizations also suffer because they lose the creative problem solving that emerges when there is a diverse workforce at every level of the organization.
When the leadership remains male and white dominated, it is inevitable that the perspective and experience of the majority of the population is devalued and ignored, whether intentionally or not. Structures have sustained over-representation of white men who make extremely consequential decisions. Inequality is perpetuated without critical interventions. Adelante intervenes daily by empowering Latinas at every level, and I love it.
What drew you to Adelante Mujeres?
When my family and I moved to Portland, I began to research different nonprofits in the area. When I came across Adelante Mujeres, I was surprised and excited that an organization focused on Latinas existed in Washington County, a place where the Latino community is new compared to the Southwest. I really appreciated Adelante’s simple mission and am impressed by all the different programs the organization weaves into its work from education to entrepreneurship. When I saw the Director of Finance job opening, I knew that it was the perfect position for me.
How does your finance philosophy align with Adelante's values?
My affinity to Adelante’s mission is due to the connection I feel to the women Adelante empowers. Although I may rarely interact with clients, I know my role as support to program staff is essential to their goal of helping others. The mission is what motivates me to work to my fullest potential. I am also excited to help develop Adelante staff by providing learning opportunities on accounting and finance.
What do you envision in the future for Adelante Mujeres?
I see Adelante continuing to grow with some new initiatives but also in strengthening Adelante's core programs. I believe the organization will continue to play an important role in the community by inspiring participants and staff to take leadership positions and strengthening its advocacy for those whose voices are rarely heard.