For our 35th anniversary, we’ll be sharing the stories of 35 alumni showcasing the leaders they are today and how 21st Century Leaders inspired and impacted their journey. Alumni will represent the 3.5 decades since our founding in 1989 – the 1990s, 2000s, 2010s, and 2020s. Take a read and be inspired!
35th Anniversary Alumni Spotlight
2010’s Decade
Name: Estefi Herrera-Paredes
H.S. Grad Year: Class of 2016
College: Georgia College and State University
Current Role: Account Strategist, Google
How has your career unfolded and how did participating in 21CL help prepare you for your next steps going to college, taking on a new leadership role in community/college and after?
My career has taken some incredible turns since my time with 21CL. Currently, I’m an Account Strategist at Google in San Francisco, but my journey has also included roles at Warner Bros. Discovery, Morning Brew, and Twitter (X) in New York City.
21st Century Leaders truly opened the first door, and many more have followed. It all started with me attending the Turner Voices Youth Media Institute – currently known as Film & Entertainment Institute, sponsored by Warner Bros. Discovery – back in 2015. That experience ignited my networking skills and helped me build valuable connections.
I stayed involved with 21CL as a 21CL Youth Ambassador, further expanding my network. Then, as graduation approached, 21CL connected me with a life-changing internship. In the summer of 2016, I worked at Warner Bros. Discovery (formerly Turner) as a “Turner Voices Intern” for the Department of Culture and Engagement. I even helped plan the following year’s summer camp!
That internship sparked a chain reaction. I secured internships every summer after that through my growing network, setting me up for success and ultimately leading to a fantastic job that took me from Atlanta to NYC.
What’s your memorable or ‘aha’ moment during your time at 21CL? (Particular program, meeting a professional and diverse peer, speaking in public for the first time, etc.)
About halfway through my Turner Voices internship, my manager took me for coffee in the CNN building’s atrium. Looking me straight in the eye, she asked if I was happy. I was stunned. This was a dream internship—why would she even ask?
Confused, I replied, ‘Of course I am, why?’ Her response? ‘You never smile and don’t seem like you want to be here.’
That conversation, almost a decade ago, changed me forever. It wasn’t just about smiling; it was about being human and vulnerable at work. We spend so much time with our colleagues—it’s crucial to be authentic. Don’t dull your light.
Did 21CL assist you in developing a leadership style that makes you an effective leader? If so, how?
21CL significantly shaped my leadership style. Its greatest impact was in developing my collaborative skills. Effective leadership hinges on the ability to work well with others. This means truly listening to people, even when you disagree with them.
The program’s constant team-based environment pushed me to compromise and find solutions that benefited both individuals and the group as a whole. This valuable lesson has stayed with me throughout my career.
Why do you believe programs like 21CL are important? And what advice would you give to a current or future student?
Important is an understatement. These programs are absolutely vital to the youth of [Georgia]. As someone with immigrant parents, my opportunities were once incredibly limited. 21CL opened doors I never knew existed, and I still feel the positive impact today.
My advice to current and future students? Stay hungry. Feed your curiosity, ask questions, push boundaries, and challenge yourselves. That’s how you grow. Take advantage of every resource available—they are precious and not accessible to everyone, so don’t let them go to waste!
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