Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Hady Mendez. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hady, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
I’ve reflected a lot on resilience, especially over the past 18 months when I’ve needed it most. I’ve realized resilience comes from within. I don’t actively try to be resilient—I just show up as my authentic self, give myself the space to process setbacks, and then find the strength to move forward. I’m the kind of person who might be shedding tears over a setback one moment, going for a walk the next, and then waking up the next day feeling renewed and hopeful. I consider it a gift from my ancestors.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I’m the founder and CEO of Boldly Speaking, a business focused on empowering underrepresented employees, especially through ERGs, to grow their careers and become leaders.
I lead workshops, speak at events, and coach individuals to help them own their narratives, self-promote confidently, and advocate for themselves in the workplace.
I’m passionate about fostering inclusive spaces and elevating underestimated voices. Currently, I’m expanding my services to reach a broader audience with new workshops and coaching packages aimed at maximizing ERG impact and leadership development.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
The three qualities have made the biggest difference in my journey are self-advocacy, self-promotion, and owning my narrative.
Self-advocacy taught me to voice my needs and claim my space in settings that may not always feel inclusive. For those starting out, practice speaking up in small ways—advocating for yourself gets easier with time, especially when you are working in environments that prioritize psychological safety.
Self-promotion has been essential to gaining visibility and building my brand. My advice is to actively share your accomplishments. The easiest way I have found to do this is through a brag sheet which I maintain and update regularly.
Owning my narrative has helped me shape my story authentically. It’s true that “no one knows you better than you know yourself”. Do not allow others to tell you who you are. Step into your power and show up unapologetically.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
I’m always looking for strategic partners who are driven by a shared purpose to create inclusive spaces and empower others.
Ideal collaborators are those committed to leading with cultura, opening doors for underrepresented voices, and fostering growth across all levels. I’m looking to partner with leaders and advocates who believe in lifting others as they rise and who want to make a meaningful impact through intentional, community-centered collaboration.
If this aligns with your mission, let’s connect!
Find me on LinkedIn or schedule time with me at www.boldlyspeakingllc.com
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.boldlyspeakingllc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boldlyspeakingllc
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hadymendez
Image Credits
Katie Godowski and Gigi Jackson
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