Meet Yaritza Guillen

We were lucky to catch up with Yaritza Guillen recently and have shared our conversation below.

Yaritza , thank you so much for joining us. You are such a positive person and it’s something we really admire and so we wanted to start by asking you where you think your optimism comes from?

My optimism comes from having nothing to lose and, at times, being a little delusional. I come from a family that has endured significant hardships and mental illness, yet they remain some of the most positive, joyful, and humorous people I know. I think my optimism also stems from the fact that I wasn’t supposed to make it this far—everything I achieve now feels like a bonus. Other times, I’m simply driven by the excitement and fun of what I’m involved in. I find myself fueled by happiness, often creating it within myself when needed. Life is already hard to many being a unapologetic optimism, disruptor, and my ADHD is what helps too.

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?

My professional journey began as a horticulturist because I wanted to work with plants and avoid being stuck in an office. From there, I navigated roles as a water rights activist and environmentalist, working with the UIC Freshwater Lab and the National Wildlife Federation on water issues in the Great Lakes. I’m also a storyteller and community organizer in my Chicago neighborhood.

One of my proudest achievements is producing a documentary highlighting the importance of community gardens, particularly for our elderly population. This work led to documenting the stories of 10 elders through the Nuestra Herencia: Film Legacy Project. Additionally, I’ve conducted Ethical Storytelling training for environmental justice attorneys, helping them approach community narratives with respect and care.

Now, as a consultant, my work has expanded to collaborating with architects on cultural engagement, particularly in applying urban design principles within BIPOC communities. I also design community gardens, promoting their value as vital third spaces that enhance creativity and preserve ancestral connections to nature in urban areas.

My ADHD is my superpower—it enables me to navigate multiple spaces and projects simultaneously. I’m often the person people call to kick-start projects or pilot innovative and bold ideas. My consulting work emphasizes care and relationship-building to establish strong, long-term connections because nothing I do is short-term.

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?

Relationship-building is probably my strongest skill—not just because I have the ability to get projects done, but because people genuinely enjoy working with me.

I’m incredibly optimistic yet oddly realistic at the same time. My upbringing, combined with my background in urban planning, has made me organized enough to plan ahead while using my optimism as fuel to keep moving forward.

I’m an over-communicator and an over-sharer. While some might find these traits overbearing or even annoying, I see them as strengths. My transparency and willingness to share often encourage others to open up to me, fostering deeper connections.

My advice is to be your authentic self, but also recognize the importance of connecting with others. Sometimes, stepping out of your own head can be incredibly beneficial. Make a friend, build a connection, and don’t be afraid to be vulnerable—it can lead to meaningful relationships and personal growth.

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?

Hi there! Yes, you! I’d love to connect. I’m looking to meet people in robotics, technology, web design, and those working in innovation labs or creative third spaces. If this sounds like you, please DM me! I’m eager to explore these topics further because we’re living in a time of collective innovation. Let’s come together and create these new worlds!

email me: createwithyari@gmail.com
IG: @createwithyari

Contact Info:

• Website: https://yaritzaguillen.com
• Instagram: @createwithyari

Image Credits

My photographs