We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Denisse Hiller a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Denisse , first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
My name is Denisse Hiller, and my story begins in the vibrant heart of the Dominican Republic, where I was born and raised. My passion for creativity, storytelling, and community building took root early in life, long before I realized those passions would define my path.
In 2021, my husband, our daughter, and I made a life changing move to Miami, Florida. We arrived with excitement, hope, and a desire for a fresh start, but we didn’t know anyone. Starting from zero in a new city can be incredibly lonely, and that loneliness was very real for us. Instead of waiting for community to happen, we decided to create it ourselves.
We began hosting free language exchange parties, simple gatherings meant to bring people together to talk, learn, and share cultures. What started as an effort to overcome our own isolation quickly grew into a space filled with warmth, connection, and belonging. It showed me just how powerful intentional connection can be.
Around this same time, I took on one of the most intimidating challenges of my life: helping my husband organize a conference for more than 250 attendees. I had never managed an event of that scale, and the pressure was intense. But those moments of uncertainty pushed me to grow, trust myself, and realize what I was truly capable of. And in the end, we made it happen.
During that experience, I met Aline Ndalla, who was involved on the PR side. At first, it was a simple working connection, but when we reconnected later, we realized we shared the same vision. With her experience in public relations and mine in media and event organization, we saw a major gap in our industry: creatives, media professionals, and PR practitioners needed a place to connect authentically.
Not a place for pitches.
Not a place for pressure.
A place for people.
That vision became the foundation of PR and Media Professionals, a community built to uplift, unite, and empower people through genuine human connection. Today, it’s a space where education, collaboration, and authenticity replace the stress of traditional networking. And watching it grow has been one of the greatest honors of my life.
How I Handle Impostor Syndrome
People often ask me how I overcame impostor syndrome, and the honest answer is: I didn’t.
I’ve never been someone who pauses to give myself credit for what I’ve achieved. Instead, what drives me is this insatiable urge to meet people, to be involved in my community, and to help in any way I can.
Even when we first moved to Miami, I refused to rely on friend-making apps, even though that’s actually how I met my husband back in 2019. I love intelligence and charisma, and while those traits don’t always shine through a screen, they always appear in a professional event. The rooms I walk into are filled with some of the most educated, motivated, and visionary people I’ve ever encountered. That energy fuels me.
People assume that being smart means being outgoing, but that’s not the case. Many of the brightest people are introverted, shy, or unsure how to navigate social settings. That’s exactly why PR and Media Professionals exists, to create a safe, authentic bridge for real connections.
So how do I manage impostor syndrome?
I don’t.
I’m a naturally shy and reserved person who sometimes talks endlessly when I feel safe. I still walk into rooms wondering if I belong there. But my purpose is louder than my fear. And I’m incredibly blessed to have an amazing co-organizer who is just crazy enough to follow my lead, and push me forward when I need it.
From the Dominican Republic to Miami, from navigating loneliness to building community, from shyness to leadership, my journey has taught me one thing above all:
You don’t have to defeat impostor syndrome to make an impact. You just have to keep moving anyway.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I remember back when I was helping my husband organize his very first company event, I came across this women in. tech conference, and something about the energy in that room stayed with me. Seeing women come together, supporting each other, building things as a community… it resonated deeply with who I am and what I value. It aligned perfectly with my personality, my background, and the type of representation I wish I had seen more of growing up.
Even though PR and Media Professionals is open to everyone and we welcome all creatives and professionals, I’ve noticed that many of our collaborations have naturally happened with women. It wasn’t intentional, just a reflection of the incredible women who constantly show up, take initiative, and pour their passion into what they do. There’s something powerful about women joining forces and elevating each other, and I’m proud that our community has become a space where that happens organically.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
1. Curiosity About People
Even though I’m naturally shy, I’ve always been deeply curious about people, their stories, passions, and dreams. That curiosity is what pushed me to host language exchange events, meet collaborators, and build a community from scratch.
Even if I don’t remember the names of 99% of all attendees, I follow their work on LinkedIn, I see their projects, and I make a point to greet them and introduce them to others who might be a good fit for their interests.
2. Adaptability
Moving to Miami with no network and planning a 250+ attendee conference forced me to adapt quickly. I learned to figure things out as I went, even when I didn’t feel ready.
Don’t wait for the perfect moment, start now. You grow by trying, adjusting, and learning along the way.3. Community-Focused Leadership
My leadership style is rooted in connection and empathy. It’s not about being the loudest in the room, it’s about making others feel seen and supported.
Lead with intention. Create value for others. Authentic leadership makes people want to show up.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
My husband has been a constant source of support. From the very beginning, he trusted me with responsibilities I wasn’t sure I was ready for, like helping organize large-scale events or building community initiatives from scratch. His confidence in me gave me the courage to try, fail, and grow.
Aline Ndalla, my co-organizer and partner in PR and Media Professionals, has also been pivotal. She’s bold, creative, and fearless in ways I admire, and having someone who complements my strengths, and follows my lead when I need it, has allowed us to build something bigger than either of us could have done alone.
Beyond that, I’ve been lucky to have mentors and peers in the PR, media, and creative industries who have shared advice, opened doors, and set an example of what intentional, community-focused leadership looks like. Being surrounded by people who are smart, driven, and generous with their knowledge has been invaluable.
Success is built through collaboration, support, and the courage to accept help when it’s offered.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pr-media-professionals-rooftop-social-tickets-1975138329914?aff=oddtdtcreator
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denisse-hiller-5a1409321/
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