LEAP Alumni Spotlights: Fritzie De Mata, PHD
“LEAP inspired many dreams and it is a game changer.”
Fritzie de Mata serves as the Director of Student Support with the alumni scholars program at University of California, Berkeley. She immigrated to the United States from the Philippines when she was 13 years old. While completing her undergraduate degree at UC Berkeley, she developed a desire to work in the nonprofit sector. However, due to her parents disapproval of her dream, she took a different route but ultimately ended up where she wanted to be: helping students like herself in navigating the educational system.
Fritzie enjoys participating as an alum of LEAP Impact by encouraging other nonprofit professionals to join. “LEAP is such an amazing program. It provided me the space to connect with other API leaders in the community who are passionate about what they're doing, exchange ideas to learn from each other, but most importantly give me the time to hit, PAUSE, and just reflect to give me the time to think about who I am.”
LEAP Impact: An American Express Leadership Academy a three-part, eight-month program designed to develop and empower Asian and Pacific Islander leaders within the nonprofit sector. Cohort members will engage in intentional community building with peers whom are navigating similar spaces and challenges, deep reflection and conversations, executive coaching, and a multitude of activities that inspire and catalyze meaningful change internally as a leader.
Fritzie’s favorite experiences from the program are the eight hours of 1:1 coaching series. Through working with a certified coach 1:1, she was able to receive tailored support in areas which she wanted to specifically develop like salary negotiation, ask for a promotion, and advocate for causes she was passionate for. Her coach would ask thought provoking questions which deepened her understanding of herself, while also rooting for her. In the non-profit sector, Fritzie described how this was a privilege and unique opportunity where she could have a coach with a program that tailored to her identity.
“LEAP taught me so much more. It helped me become self-aware of the kind of work I want to do and really hold confidence to my core values. I’m much more confident of how I want to move and impact the world. When the work is so closely related to who you are and what’s important, that is how you know you’re in the right work.”
Join Fritzie and other API non-profit professionals in uncapping your talent today. Consider participating in one of LEAP’s variety of programs, including LEAP Impact, or make a donation to the organization to empower API leadership in our communities.
About the author
Danielle Lynk is the Communications Manager for LEAP(Leadership Education for Asian Pacific). She is responsible for driving and creating LEAP’s communications and marketing strategies to bring awareness and support development efforts.
