Hello, it's Pilar

Once upon a time, I was as a single parent. And I was really good at it! I thrived on creating my own order out of chaos and instability. I graduated .01 from honors with a degree in Finance. As pissed as I was I had my little guy by my side and my heart full of fire. I eagerly believed I had to do everything on my own. I gladly shouldered every responsibility because I believed that no one else could or would help. And even if they tried it wouldn't be for long and it wouldn't be the right way I needed. I carried the weight of that belief, fueled by the pride that I could never let anyone see me falter.

 

My breaking point came in a place that should have been my breakout: a massive, well-known company that believed in my talent and value. They even speed-tracked my employment so that we could move to LA from the Bay Area before my son started elementary school. I poured everything into my role, but when I faced retaliation and bullying from managers and directors, no one stepped in—not my leaders, not the company culture that I thought would protect me. Worse, some of them even seemed visibly entertained by my struggle.

 

It wasn’t just demoralizing—it was terrifying. I was all alone, staring down the barrel of a struggle I wasn't familiar with and felt I had zero control over. Despite having a wide net of influence for knowing how to get shit done. I couldn't unravel the net of toxic nonsense politics closing around me neck. And in an industry where reputations travel fast and scars linger, I was deathly afraid of being labeled a problem employee. And yet, I felt the cold stab of knowing something had to change.

 

That experience broke me—but it also woke me up. It forced me to see the truth: I deserved better, and the value I brought to the table was undeniable. Side note, some years later the largest payout for a class action lawsuit in California at the time would be from that very company for equal pay violations, sexual harassment, sex discrimination, and retaliation.

 

My breakthrough didn’t come from clinging to the systems that failed me. It came when I rediscovered my voice, my value, and my place. I reconnected with visionary leaders who saw me—not as a cog in a corporate machine but as a high-impact force of innovation, productivity and inspiration. I found my rhythm in smaller, scrappy teams where passion, purpose, and a desire for collaboration thrive.

 

Today, I’ve traded fear for calm confidence, external validation for self-belief, and isolation for connecting with like-minded individuals. I am proof that you don’t need to fit into systems that weren’t built for you to find success. You can create your own path, define your value, and make an impact on your own terms.