MANA Member Spotlight: Amanda Cheyney

Profile: Amanda Cheyney

Member since: 2009

FIRST MANA EXPERIENCE

A friend suggested I attend the MANA de San Diego Latina Success Conference at USD. A woman that sat next to me was so enthusiastic about being an Hermanita mentor. The workshops were so informative and inspirational. It was amazing. I immediately joined and wanted to get involved in the Hermanitas program. I have been a mentor ever since.

HERMANITAS
This has been an amazing experience! I am so blessed to have the opportunity to spend time with my Hermanita. We learn so much are out monthly seminars and have become great support system. It really validates the difficulties I struggled through to attain higher education when I can share my experience and touch someone's life. Most importantly, it amazing to realize that just a few hours a month makes such a difference in their lives (and mine too!). Increasing their educational attainment will improve their future success! I see it all happen right before my eyes. It's such a blessing. I am also growing as a person, a leader, a wife, a daughter, a sister. I am constantly empowered when I am with my MANA sisters.

SCHOLARSHIPS
MANA de San Diego has supported my leadership development by awarding me the Sylvia Chavez Scholarship two years in a row. I highly admire the women in the organization and they inspire me to continue my education and leadership development. There is not stopping me with my MANA family.

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
Also, I have been the proud recipient of Southwest Airlines round trip tickets to a leadership conference of my choice. I recently attended the HOPE (Hispanas Organized for Political Equality) Latina Action Day in Sacramento and advocated on behalf of my community regarding health and educational issues. It was an eye opening experience of the need for educated Latina leaders to advocate on behalf of our communities.

MANA de SAN DIEGO
If you haven't joined yet, what are you waiting for? Your community needs you! Plus we have tons of fun doing it! Please feel free to contact me via FB, phone, email. I will be happy to share my MANA experience with you!

MANA Member Spotlight: Teresa Acosta

How long have you been a member of MANA?

I joined MANA de San Diego in July, 2011, and I couldn't be happier to have joined!

What inspired you to become a member?

When I moved to San Diego earlier this year, I wanted to find a community of like-minded leaders who wanted to give back as I did. I was a member of HOPE back in LA and a graduate of their leadership institute, so I found MANA through my HOPE network. What an amazing group of talented and accomplished leaders - it is just was I was hoping for. I am looking forward to participating as an Hermanitas mentor.

What has been your favorite MANA program/event? why?

My favorite event was probably the Orientation Breakfast because I was able to chat with people who were new and renewing members and learn about the different programs from the committee chairs. It was a lovely morning with the vibe of a big family breakfast. I also loved the Mega Mixer at Sevilla and the Brindis!

What are you up to now?

I have my own public affairs consulting company, which is a fun and exciting line of work. Right now I am consulting for a non-partisan non-profit organization called California Forward, whose mission is to help design and implement a smarter government system in California. We are looking for more participation, so anyone interested is welcome to contact me! Check them out at http://www.cafwd.org/ and like them on FB at CA Fwd: San Diego!