Board Ready: Stephanie Ruiz on Finding Her Voice and Making Space for Youth Leadership
At just 23, Stephanie Ruiz is already shaping decisions that affect her community. As a first-generation Latina college graduate from Fresno and the youth board member for the San Joaquin River Conservancy, Stephanie is proving that leadership doesn’t have an age requirement, it just takes courage, preparation, and the willingness to speak up.
From the Central Valley to the Boardroom
Growing up in Fresno’s Central Valley, Stephanie saw firsthand how unequal access to green spaces impacts low-income families. That experience sparked her passion for environmental justice and ultimately led her to pursue an appointment on the San Joaquin River Conservancy governing board.
Her journey began through the Central Valley Latino Leadership Academy, where a mentor challenged her to take action with a simple question:
“If you don’t do it, then who will?”
At first, Stephanie doubted she was ready. But she soon realized that her background in environmental science and water quality research wasn’t just relevant, it was exactly the perspective her board needed.
Navigating the Application and the Self-Doubt
Applying for her first board seat wasn’t easy. Between unclear application instructions and moments of imposter syndrome, Stephanie admits she almost gave up.
“It was exhausting and stressful to navigate an unfamiliar system,” she recalls. “But I’m grateful to HOPE and the Latina Appointments Collaborative for their support. Without them, I don’t think I’d be where I am today.”
Her experience reflects a larger truth: many young people want to serve but don’t know where to start. By sharing her story, Stephanie hopes to make the process clearer and more accessible for the next generation of leaders.
Claiming Space as the Youngest Voice in the Room
Stephanie remembers walking into her first board meeting feeling nervous and out of place.
“I was scared they’d realize I didn’t belong there,” she says. “But I was wrong. They welcomed me.”
Now, she makes a point to speak up at least once per meeting, even when it’s uncomfortable. Recently, she advocated for keeping a community group that helps residents participate in conservancy meetings. While the board ultimately voted to dissolve it, her perspective helped shift policy toward evening meetings, making future sessions more accessible for working families.
Learning, Growing, and Paying It Forward
Serving as a youth board member has helped Stephanie strengthen skills like public speaking, preparation, and relationship-building. She regularly schedules one-on-one conversations with other board members to learn from their experience and to remind herself that even seasoned leaders face moments of doubt.
“It’s powerful to realize that I’m not the only one who feels imposter syndrome,” she says. “We all go through it.”
She also stresses the importance of mentorship, self-care, and finding community with other young appointees to prevent burnout and stay grounded in purpose.
A Message to Other Young Latinas
Stephanie wants more youth to see themselves in leadership.
“There’s no such thing as being too young to make a difference,” she says. “Your perspective matters. You don’t have to have all the answers, you just have to be willing to listen, learn, and take the first step.”
Her advice: start where you are. Join programs like the Central Valley Latino Leadership Academy, Youth Leadership Institute, or Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE) to build confidence and community.
Discover how Stephanie turned hesitation into leadership and why she believes youth voices are essential to shaping California’s future.
About the Series
About the Series
Board Ready: A Guide to Public Service is produced by the Latina Appointments Collaborative, a project of Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE). The series highlights real stories from Latina leaders serving across California’s boards and commissions—and offers practical advice for those ready to follow their lead.
Additional Episodes:
