Persistence in Adversity Podcast with Dr. Adame: Felida Villareal, Community Leader

In this episode Felida Villarreal shares a bit about her story and what experiences have shaped her life. Felida currently serves as President & CEO of Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement (VIDA), a transformative regional nonprofit founded in 1995 that empowers Rio Grande Valley residents to achieve economic prosperity through market-driven training, resources, and career pathways. A licensed Certified Public Accountant in Texas, Felida holds a Master of Accountancy from the University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of Texas – Pan American.
Recognized as a rising leader in workforce development, Felida was named one of Hispanic Executive's prestigious "30 under 30" honorees in 2024 and among their Leading Latinas in 2025 for her commitment to empowering Latino communities through innovative workforce initiatives and creating sustainable pathways to high-wage careers. Her impact has garnered multiple accolades, including the Hispanic Women Making History Award from HWNT-RGV, and many others. Felida also serves on the Hidalgo County Prosperity Taskforce, a strategic initiative launched by County Judge Richard Cortez to combat poverty in the RGV.
In this interview from September 2025, Felida also discusses some of her adversities, provides some life advice both in English and Spanish, and also shares what keeps her going and why she invests so much in the Rio Grande Valley community.