The College of Business Administration Career Hub (CBACH) welcomed students, faculty and staff for a leadership dialogue featuring Marilyn Davis (MHR, ’88), vice president of people operations for the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Terri Gomez, provost and vice president for academic affairs at Cal Poly Pomona.
Moderated by Pia Gupta, associate dean of undergraduate student success for the College of Business Administration (CBA), the discussion explored the speakers’ leadership journeys, decision-making philosophies, and the role of family and cultural identity in shaping professional success.
Drawing from their experiences as first-generation college students and Latina leaders in male-dominated fields, Davis and Gomez offered candid reflections on their paths to leadership.
Culture as a Leadership Foundation
Davis, who was born in Cuba and came to the United States as a political refugee, emphasized the influence of her family’s sacrifices on her leadership style.
“As a first-generation college student, you learn to be very resilient and adaptable, and so it's really changed the way I lead,” said Davis. “Parents of immigrant children often bring high expectations for their children, and I had to help my family in difficult situations because they didn't speak English. I had to do a lot of the paperwork for them when they went to work, or to a hospital, and no one helped me get into college. I had to do it all on my own.”
She said the resilience she developed early continues to shape her professional decisions.
“There are going to be obstacles in your career,” Davis said. “When you’ve spent your childhood helping your family overcome challenges, that carries into your leadership. You don’t give up.”
Gomez challenged traditional notions of leadership rooted solely in positional authority or financial capital, noting that in business conversations, discussions of “capital” often focus narrowly on economic wealth. Drawing on Tara Yosso’s Cultural Wealth Framework, she emphasized that cultural wealth, including familial and linguistic capital, is equally powerful and valuable. As a first-generation Mexican American who served as a translator for her parents and extended family, she developed an early and enduring commitment to service. “That responsibility instilled in me the value of showing up for others and recognizing the assets people already carry with them,” she said.
Courage and Confidence
A central theme of the dialogue was confidence, particularly for women and first-generation students who may hesitate to pursue leadership roles.
“Because I often found myself to be the only woman in the C-suite role, I would look around the room and it was all men,” Davis said. “It made me feel that I needed to make sure that my words are very powerful and that what I say really resonated. I really learned from those moments, and I can tell you from experience that your perspective matters.”
She also encouraged students to trust themselves as they begin their professional journeys. “You're not gonna have the answers to everything when you first graduate,” she added. “I remember struggling, feeling like I needed to be perfect to succeed. That’s just not true, but you do have to have the confidence to ask questions and learn from other individuals.”
Gomez emphasized courage, acknowledging that fear is a natural part of growth.
“That sense of confidence in knowing that you belong there, that you have a right to speak, that you have something valuable to say, I struggled with that for a long time,” Gomez said. “I was the only woman and the only Latina in my Ph.D. cohort at UCLA. I decided at some point that I was gonna just start showing up like I was confident — even though I wasn't. Sometimes, you have to change your own behavior before you start believing in it.”
She encouraged students to view fear as information rather than limitation.
“Use that fear strategically,” Gomez said. “Ask why you’re feeling it. Pause, reflect, then move forward.”
Relationships and Reputation
When asked about building professional visibility, Davis underscored the power of relationships. “I haven’t looked for a job since 1994,” she said. “It’s all been referrals.” By building trust, developing a niche, and consistently delivering results, opportunities followed organically. “I was completely bi-lingual, I had a human resources background, and I could work in a union environment,” Davis said.
She described each role in her career as adding a “tool” to a lifelong toolkit, some immediately useful and others revealing their value later.
Gomez reinforced the importance of engagement, urging students to step outside their comfort zones. “Show up to networking events,” she said. “Even if you’re introverted, put yourself in those spaces. Those connections matter.”
“Leadership isn’t about authority or decision-making. It’s about the small things you do that impact people’s lives.”
— Marilyn Davis, VP of People Operations, Los Angeles Dodgers
A Message for the Next Generation of Leaders
Throughout the discussion, both leaders returned to themes of service, resilience, and authenticity. Students asked questions about imposter syndrome, navigating male-dominated environments, and balancing career with family responsibilities.
For many students, the dialogue served as both affirmation and challenge: to be bold, pursue opportunities even without meeting every qualification, and lead with integrity and compassion.
“I appreciated when they spoke about how they had to learn to be confident. I'm in a leadership role where I work, and there have been times where I am the only female Latina at the table,” said Anna Gonzalez (MHR, ’27). “I can relate to having that insecurity of not speaking up or being more assertive. Hearing their experiences reinforced my confidence to be a strong leader in those situations.”
“One of the takeaways for me was hearing about evaluating yourself and your qualifications for a job you might be applying for,” said Sofia Velez (BSBA, ’27), president of the Latino Business Student Association (LSBA). “Some job descriptions come off as intimidating, because I feel like I have a long way to go, but they mentioned that there is a lot we don’t see within ourselves. I appreciated the advice to push through that fear and to always have a support system within your family or friends, because at the end of the day they show who you are and support you when times get tough.”
The event came to a close with a reminder that leadership is defined not by position alone but by impact — the ability to uplift others, embrace change and remain grounded in one’s values. “Because I’m near the end of my 35-year career and planning to retire in a few years, success to me is not about me; it’s about the team I built and the people I’ve impacted,” Davis said.
Students in attendance also competed in a raffle for Dodgers and Cal Poly Pomona swag, keeping the energy high for the CBA’s inaugural CBACH event. "We are committed to training the next generation of leaders. Engaging with such accomplished women leaders like Marilyn and Terri provided a powerful opportunity for our students, particularly those who are first-generation, to envision their own leadership journeys,” concluded Gupta.