Maria A. Castro

President, Denver Chapter of the National Society of Hispanic MBAs

• First job: project manager

Castro's career began at the Mi Casa Resource Center for Women in Denver, helping young Hispanic women to succeed.

"I managed daily operations and budget for the Mi Carrera program," she said. "I also supervised program staff, provided after-school workshops in the areas of career, college and scholarship prep, and organized retreats and special events."

Although the hours were long and funding for the programs was hard to come by, Castro says, she gained invaluable skills in multitasking, flexibility and creativity, and was fortunate enough to build relationships within the community.