We recently connected with Marcela Andres and have shared our conversation below.
Marcela, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
Confidence didn’t come overnight. It came from a lifetime of small victories and overcoming challenges I never thought I’d face. It also came from the people who believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. Whether it was my mom reminding me to never give up or my teachers pushing me to see my own potential, their belief slowly became my own. I learned to trust myself through the process of showing up, doing the work, and realizing that even when I stumble, I’m still moving forward.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I started my professional life in insurance, climbing the traditional corporate ladder. It felt like I was ticking all the boxes—buying my first home, moving up in my career—but something was missing. When I moved to Mexico, what I thought would be a short sabbatical turned into a life-changing experience. I ended up teaching in a bilingual elementary school, and that’s where I truly found my purpose. Watching students, who looked like me and spoke my language, thrive in a classroom setting was powerful. I realized then that education wasn’t just a job; it was my calling.
Today, as the President and CEO of designEDengagement, I lead initiatives focused on fostering connections between educators, families, and communities to uplift students, particularly in underserved areas. The work we do is about more than academics—it’s about creating a support network that ensures every child reaches their fullest potential. Right now, I’m focused on scaling our impact through partnerships and eventually launching a nonprofit institute to expand this work nationally.
What excites me the most is seeing the ripple effect. When we support one student or family, we’re not just impacting them—we’re creating lasting change in their community. That’s what keeps me going.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Resilience, empathy, and the ability to listen have been key for me. Resilience is something you learn when life doesn’t go as planned—and let me tell you, nothing about my journey was planned. But it’s in those moments when things don’t go your way that you discover your strength. Empathy came from my own experiences growing up in poverty and seeing firsthand the struggles of those around me. It’s what drives me to do the work I do now because I understand what it feels like to not have access to the resources you need to succeed. And listening? That’s a skill every leader needs. I learned early on that I don’t have all the answers, but if I listen—really listen—to the people I’m trying to serve, we can find solutions together.
For anyone early in their journey, I would say don’t rush. Take the time to build relationships, really get to know the people you work with, and don’t be afraid of the hard moments. They’re the ones that will shape you into who you’re meant to be.
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?
Growing up, my family and educators were the pillars that held me up. They helped me understand that while we can’t always control our circumstances, we can control how we respond to them. My mom always reminded me that life is about more than improving your own situation—it’s about helping those who are walking behind you. That sense of responsibility, combined with the belief from my teachers that I could achieve more, really set the tone for my journey.
One teacher in particular, Mrs. Tavasoli, made a huge impact on me. She saw the tough circumstances I was living in and still believed in me. When I graduated college, she gave me a small plush turtle with the words “Never give up” on it. That simple gift, and her constant encouragement throughout my childhood, reminded me that I had everything inside me to succeed, even when life felt overwhelming. To this day, when I face challenges, I think back to her belief in me and those words: “Never give up.” I wouldn’t be where I am today without that early support pushing me to not just strive for success but to create opportunities for others to succeed too.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.marcelaandres.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designedengagement/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcelaandres/
Image Credits
Felicia Reed Photography
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