Two Tyler ISD principals represented the district as featured panelists at the 2026 Latina Leadership & Entrepreneurs Conference & Expo (Latina Expo): “Invierte En Ti. Lidera Con Propósito.”
Hosted by the Tyler Hispanic Business Alliance, the Latina Expo brings together professionals, entrepreneurs, and community leaders for conversations focused on leadership, education, personal growth, and empowerment. This year’s theme, “Invierte En Ti. Lidera Con Propósito.” (Invest in Yourself. Lead with Purpose.) encourages participants to invest in their growth and use their leadership to make a positive impact.
Education was a key focus of this year’s conference, with leadership panels and educational sessions designed to provide practical knowledge, inspiration, and opportunities for continued growth.
Mina Naranjo, principal of Birdwell Dual Language Immersion School, and Elizabeth Gomez, principal of Douglas Elementary School, participated in the “Education: The Power of Learning” panel. The two Tyler ISD leaders shared their perspectives on educational leadership, student success, and the lasting impact education can have on families and communities.
Naranjo is passionate about creating safe, engaging, and empowering learning environments where students are encouraged to reach their full potential. Her leadership focuses on supporting educators, partnering with families, and helping students develop the confidence to become future leaders stating that many of her students will grow up into careers that don't exist yet, in a world that will ask more of them emotionally and culturally than any career path can capture. That reality has reshaped how she defines her job as an educator, from teaching toward a career to teaching toward leadership itself.
"The old model was preparing students for a career," Naranjo said. "My model is preparing students to lead, because leadership doesn't disappear when an industry changes. If a child can identify a problem, think it through, read the people around them across languages and cultures, and lead the work of solving it, that skill travels with them no matter what the workforce looks like in fifteen years."
Gomez is committed to fostering academic excellence, leadership, and lifelong learning. Through collaboration with educators and families, she works to ensure students have the knowledge, confidence, and character they need to succeed inside and outside the classroom.
“I’m honored to have been able to speak about my career in education at the Hispanic Business Alliance Latina Expo,” Gomez said. “It feels special to have the opportunity to reflect on my journey, the people who have shaped me along the way, and the experiences that have brought me to where I am today.”
During the panel, Naranjo and Gomez discussed how strong educational leadership can create opportunities for students, inspire future generations, and strengthen communities through the power of education.
“Latina Expo is about much more than bringing women together for one day. It is about investing in women and reminding them of the value of their voice, their ideas, their leadership, and their potential,” said Nancy Rangel, President & CEO of the Tyler Hispanic Business Alliance. “When we provide women with education, connections, and opportunities to grow, that impact extends to their families, businesses, and ultimately our entire East Texas community.”
For more information, contact Jennifer Hines at Jennifer.Hines@TylerISD.org.