Representative: Core Members Management Board - Central, South America & The Caribbean 

Volunteer leadership experience is an asset that can greatly benefit an organization and the individual. This type of experience involves working toward a specific goal, which can include coordinating, recruiting, training, brainstorming, or working on any task for a specific project. Volunteering is an incredibly enriching experience that can have a profound impact on your life. Whether you are volunteering in your local community, your work industry, or traveling to another part of the world to do volunteer work, the experience can be transformative.

Throughout my life I have engaged in fundraising projects and the creation of diverse business units, and the latest participation has been at an IAM Task force group. Currently, I’m running for a new volunteer project for Core Members. One of the most significant benefits of volunteering is the impact it can have on your life. Volunteering allows you to give back, help those in need, and make positive contributions to an industry. It has helped me develop important life skills, such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills—not mentioning my vision to always Walk the Talk.

Volunteering has helped me to develop leadership skills and project management skills. When you volunteer, you are often given the opportunity to take on leadership roles, create ideas and make them come true. This has not only helped me to expand my professional network but has developed important skills such as delegation, time management, and decision-making.

If you are considering volunteering, my advice would be to start by identifying an area that you are passionate about. Understand the IAM structure, engage with other member industries and bring ideas in. Whether it’s working with fundraising, supporting the industry, helping to protect the environment, or something else, find a cause that you care deeply about and look for volunteer opportunities in that area.

It's also important to remember that volunteering is a two-way street. While you are giving your time and energy to help others, you will also be gaining valuable experience and skills that can benefit you in your personal and professional life.

Finally, I think it’s important for professionals to give back to an organization like IAM as it is an essential part of building a strong association. By volunteering, you can play an active role in shaping the world around you and making a positive impact on other people’s lives, and help develop best practices.