Ivania “Gabby” Guerra Ceron
Interim executive director, Please Pass the Love
Age: 27
Wife: Samantha Guerra-Phengsy
Reasons she is a Forty: Gabby quickly rose from director of youth engagement to interim executive director at Please Pass the Love, where she works to create sustainable school mental health systems. Gabby is a current HealthConnect Fellow at the Mid-Iowa Health Foundation. This fellowship provides advocacy leaders a space to work on addressing social determinants of health for children and families. She volunteers her time by serving on the Iowa Safe Schools board, which works to support LBGTQ+ youth in Iowa. While working with Al Éxito previously, she focused on meeting the needs of Latinx youth and families.
What are your goals in your role at your company? Iowa has a mental health epidemic. Schools feel the significant consequences of unmet mental health needs. We work toward building sustainable, comprehensive systems for school mental health justice across Iowa. We aim to see youths, educators and families receive the support and care they need to thrive.
What are your goals for your community involvement? I have immense gratitude for everyone who supported me, so I hope to be a resource for others, especially queer immigrant young people. I want to continue aligning myself with change-makers in our communities that reimagine our current systems and how we can improve conditions in our communities.
What's your biggest passion, and why? I grew up as an undocumented immigrant and received DACA at 16. I understand closely the barriers that prevent individuals/families from thriving. I am passionate about creating a more inclusive and supportive community in Des Moines and Iowa for BIPOC, the LGBTQIA+ community, immigrants and amplifying youth voices.
What is it that drives you? I immigrated to the United States when I was 7 with my family for a better, safer life. Being undocumented meant I didn't have the same opportunities as my peers. I carry my immigration story with me while I hope to cultivate a more just and equitable community for marginalized communities.
What are your future aspirations? We are facing a dire mental health workforce shortage in Iowa and beyond. I hope to work on expanding and supporting the mental health workforce, especially by improving conditions to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects underserved communities. A key factor is increasing access and awareness of these careers with youths.
Three hobbies: I enjoy playing tennis, biking and spending time in coffee shops.
Fun fact: Gabby's favorite art form used to be stick drawings, but in the last few years she challenged herself to be more creative and artsy by teaching herself how to draw digitally on her iPad. Drawing and coloring have now become her favorite hobby and form of self-care.
One word to describe you: Authentic.
What is your wish for the Central Iowa business community? Stigma is a barrier to mental health care, so consider how you can change the culture and policies of mental health at your workplace to improve wellness. Additionally, I wish for investment in organizations targeting systemic issues and supporting marginalized communities.
What's one piece of advice that you would give to a young professional? Cultivating authentic relationships is critical to support your professional growth and creating a space for mutual support. We need a solid community to achieve our goals, and relationships help us accomplish this.
What is one issue you would like to see Central Iowa leaders address? It is imperative to start working toward sustainable solutions for systemic issues. This work requires younger people to take leadership roles and for current leaders to make space and support for their leadership. We also need to partner with folks with lived experience to guide our answers in creating safe and healthy communities for all.