2025
Career Learning Program Coordinator
LATINO & HISPANIC
LEADERSHIP
AWARD
Inez Azucena Ventura-Jackson
PROFILES IN
LEADERSHIP JOURNAL
Company Name: Stride, Inc. Industry: Career and Technical Education Company CEO: James J. Rhyu Company Headquarters Location: Reston, VA Number of Employees: 7,800 Your Location: Houston, TX Words you live by: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32 Who is your personal hero? Mi madre, my mom, Azucena “Susie” Ventura What was your first job? Floral design assistant at local florist at age 13 Favorite charity: Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation, Supporting Brain Cancer Research and Families Family: I am the proud daughter of Mexican-born Azucena Flores Ventura and resilient Salvadoran Luis Roberto Ventura. My mother completed middle school in Mexico, while her Texas-born parents were forced to relocate across the border. My father pursued civil engineering studies amidst the Salvadoran civil war, eventually earning an education permit to study in Mexico before immigrating to the US. There, he worked hospital and custodian jobs to support himself. It was at the hospital that he met my mother, who was a medical assistant. Beyond their careers, my parents were deeply involved in community and church efforts, helping others find jobs, navigate citizenship, and build better lives – living by the principle that “it is more blessed to give than to receive.” Their journey of faith and kindness inspired me to carry on this legacy of service, which I hope my daughters and grandson will continue as well.
She helps Hispanic families stride into the future and get an outstanding online education Business and community are deeply interconnected, each thriving when they invest in one another. Strong businesses create jobs, drive economic growth, and provide essential goods and services, while engaged communities offer a dedicated workforce, customer base, and long-term sustainability. The most successful businesses recognize that their impact extends beyond profit margins—they serve as pillars of support, innovation, and change within their communities. At the heart of this connection is shared values. When businesses engage with their communities through mentorship, workforce development, and partnerships, they create opportunities that drive both economic growth and social well-being. By investing in education, companies build a skilled workforce and support local prosperity. A key driver of this progress is the transformation of education through online learning. Digital education has
46
2025 First Quarter
redefined accessibility, making highquality learning opportunities available to students regardless of geographic, socioeconomic, or personal circumstances. In my work within Career and Technical Education (CTE), I’ve witnessedhow virtual learning empowers students by offering flexible, skills-based programs that prepare them for the workforce. Businesses that partner with online schools can help shape the next generation of professionals, ensuring students receive the training, mentorship, and real-world experience needed to succeed. This has been my guiding outlook throughout my career—helping others succeed by first empowering. I’ve always believed that when we help a parent understand our program, its benefits, and the resources available, we unlock the student’s potential. When students thrive, they are not only encouraged to pursue their goals but also equipped to contribute meaningfully to their
communities. This ripple effect of growth and support extends beyond the individual. By helping one family thrive, we inspire and uplift others, creating lasting change, which I’ve witnessed time and time again. When I joined Stride, there were few resources for Spanish-speaking families. In Texas, I took the initiative to create “how-to” videos guiding Hispanic parents on supporting their students and navigating our online program. By empowering parents, we fostered more positive educational experiences for entire families. Today, our school has made strides in removing language barriers and strengthening diverse communities. Online education bridges gaps, removing geographical limitations and offering tailored, culturally inclusive curriculum. As businesses look to the future, supporting digital career and technical education will be essential to developing a diverse, well-prepared workforce.
www.leadershipjournal.com