Change Starts Here

Launching Paco in a Time of Crisis

For months, we at Paco Leadership Collective have been preparing to launch our organization and share our vision for cultivating individual leadership and collective power to ensure economic justice for all women. Originally, we planned to kick off the new year with an official launch the week of January 6. However, none of us could have anticipated the devastating wildfires or the unprecedented damage to our city and surrounding areas. Like so many of you, our hearts are heavy as we witness the loss of lives, homes, livelihoods, and sense of stability that many are grappling with right now.

As these fires have unfolded, we’ve been monitoring our own safety and well-being, volunteering when and where we can, and supporting our neighbors. At the same time, as a leadership team, we’ve been in constant communication about what this moment means—for our work, for our community, and for how we move forward with compassion and purpose.

The Mission That Guides Us

Paco Leadership Collective exists to address the economic injustices and systemic exclusions that disproportionately impact women—especially women from marginalized communities. Our mission is to empower women to lead their own lives and influence the systems that shape their futures. In light of the devastation, our mission feels more urgent than ever. The economic impacts caused by this disaster will ripple through our city for years to come, hitting hardest those who were already struggling to make ends meet.

We know that the road to recovery will be long, and we also know that this recovery must center equity. Disasters like these reveal the cracks in our systems—cracks that often widen into chasms for those already facing systemic barriers. Women who are caregivers, wage earners, small business owners, or part of low-income households are often left out of recovery efforts or forced to navigate them without the resources they need.

At Paco, we believe in a different approach. We believe that when women are equipped with the tools, support, and community they need, they don’t just survive—they lead. They create solutions, advocate for equitable policies, and build networks of care and resilience that benefit everyone.

Responding with Compassion & Collaboration

While we’re committed to moving forward with our launch, we do so with the deepest respect for what our community is facing and with a commitment to ensure our programs and services are responsive to those impacted by the fires. The goal at Paco was never to compete for resources or attention, but to be part of a broader ecosystem of organizations and individuals collectively working toward recovery and equity. Our role is not to replace but to amplify, to collaborate, and to contribute where we can make the greatest impact.

This moment requires all of us to come together, to reimagine what’s possible for our city, and to build systems that don’t just recover but transform. Paco’s mission—to cultivate leadership and collective power—is rooted in the belief that change starts here, with us, with you, with the communities we’re building together.

Moving Forward, Together

As we navigate this uncertain future, our commitment to economic justice and mobility remains unwavering. The fires have underscored the importance of this work and the urgency of building a more equitable and climate-resilient community. We invite you to join us—whether as a partner, a supporter, or simply someone who believes in the power of collective action to create meaningful change.

Our official launch will take place in the coming weeks, and we will share more details soon. In the meantime, we encourage you to reach out, to share your thoughts and ideas, and to join us in imagining how we can move forward together. Whether through volunteering, supporting local businesses, or participating in recovery efforts, every act of care strengthens the fabric of our community.

Together, we can ensure that recovery doesn’t just mean returning to what was, but building something better, something stronger, something more just.

In solidarity and hope,

The Paco Leadership Collective Team