Happy New Year, NAWBO Silicon Valley community,

The Year of the Fire Horse

As we step into 2026, we enter the Year of the Fire Horse—a symbol of unstoppable energy, passion, independence, and bold, transformative change. This is a year marked by ambition and momentum, and I am genuinely excited for what lies ahead for each of you and for our collective community at NAWBO Silicon Valley.

The Courage to Power Through

The start of a new year often brings fresh goals and high expectations—and sometimes unnecessary self-criticism when things do not go as planned. I want to offer a gentle reminder: goals are not rigid. They are meant to evolve. Sometimes the path forward requires a pivot, sometimes a pause, and sometimes the courage to power through. Each approach is valid, and what matters most is your continued commitment to growth.

Build Relationships. Start Small.

I commend each of you for building your businesses and, just as importantly, for learning to ask for help along the way. Growth does not happen in isolation. One of the most powerful steps you can take this year is to intentionally build relationships within our community. Start small. Reach out to a few members. Get to know them. Let connection support your progress, especially if your goals need recalibration.

Pro tip: Connection does not have to mean a long lunch or a formal meeting. It can be a text message, a quick phone call, an email, or engaging on social media. Touchpoints come in many forms—use what feels most natural and relevant to you. At the same time, I encourage you to gently step outside your comfort zone. Collaboration accelerates growth and often positions you for opportunities and outcomes far greater than you could imagine on your own.

Membership New Perk

I am especially excited to share that Maryam and her team are launching a WhatsApp group to help cultivate deeper engagement within our membership. This space will allow members to stay connected, share resources, ask for help, and build meaningful relationships in real time. It is a powerful step toward strengthening how we support one another, and I am deeply grateful for this initiative.

Thank You

As a reminder, NAWBO Silicon Valley is powered by a dedicated volunteer board. Thank you to our NAWBO Silicon Valley Board for your leadership, service, and continued commitment to our mission. We are always grateful for members who are willing to contribute their time, talents, and relationships—whether through social media, advocacy, programming, corporate partnerships, or community engagement. Together, we are building something meaningful.

I wish you a year filled with clarity, courage, collaboration, and growth. Thank you for being part of this community. I look forward to what we will create together in 2026.

#NAWBOSiliconValley #WomenInBusiness #Leadership #Community #Partnership #WomenSupportingWomen #NAWBO

With gratitude and vision,

Leena Mendoza, MS, ACC
President, NAWBO Silicon Valley
leena@leenamendoza.com
www.leenamendoza.com

#NAWBOSV #NAWBO