We recently connected with Ana Frade and have shared our conversation below.

Ana, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about the best boss, mentor, or leader you’ve ever worked with.

The Story: Leading with Heart and Excellence

I’ve had the privilege of working under an incredible leader, Helen Chou, who transformed International Services at the Houston Public Library into a powerhouse of community integration. She oversaw the entire department, which included the Education team and the Engagement & Outreach team, which I had the honor of leading.

Helen’s vision for the department was truly holistic—she envisioned a space that celebrated Houston’s diversity through everything from English and Citizenship classes to cultural celebrations. To bring this to life, she architected a pioneering service model called ‘The Living Room at HPL.’ I had the privilege of leading this series as my primary role, and it is one of my proudest professional accomplishments. My focus was on building the community partnerships and outreach strategies necessary to foster true social cohesion across Houston. Under Helen’s leadership and my coordination, ‘The Living Room’ became the top-attended program in the entire library system within just 18 months, drawing nearly 10,000 participants. It was a perfect example of what happens when a leader empowers their team to turn a strategic vision into a community reality.  

Helen combined high-level strategy with deep empathy and compassion. Working alongside her taught me that the best results come when you lead with both a sharp strategy and a big heart. She left me with three golden rules for the workplace that I now consider non-negotiable for success:

Human-Centered Leadership: Helen led with a ‘people-first’ mentality. She taught me that you can be a strict supervisor who demands excellence while still leading with kindness. As she often showed us, to lead the people, you must love the people. She didn’t just lead; she ran with the pack.

Emotional Safety is Productive: A core lesson I learned from her is that for a workplace to be truly productive, employees must feel safe—not just physically, but emotionally. She created a culture of dignity and respect where the same rules applied to everyone.

The Art of Focus and Creativity: Helen introduced me to the ‘Art of Focus.’ She taught me that true productivity requires the space for deep, creative thought. You can’t think strategically if you’re constantly buried in “donkey work”. By planning what to focus on, she gave our team the mental freedom to innovate and better serve Houston’s international communities.

Closing Statement:
Helen Chou is a genuine, caring human being, and that transparency in the workplace is what made us successful. She demanded excellence in the work, but she never lost sight of the humanity of the staff or the people we served. Her legacy in my professional life is the realization that you don’t have to choose between being a high-achieving executive and a kind person. You can, and should, be both.  

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a strategic program leader and education advocate with over a decade of dedicated public service to the City of Houston. My career is built on a foundation of technical expertise and a passion for digital equity and adult literacy. I began my journey at the City of Houston as a technical instructor, teaching digital literacy and workforce development skills to underserved communities, and evolved into a project leader managing complex grant lifecycles and large-scale educational initiatives.

Outside of my professional role, I serve as the President of Casa de España en Houston, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. This ad-honorem role is central to my identity, allowing me to foster cultural appreciation and strengthen the ties between Spanish-speaking communities and the broader Houston region. Recently, in recognition of my long years of service to Houston’s communities, the Mayor of Houston issued a proclamation declaring January 30, 2026, as “Ana Frade’s Day.”

I specialize in turning complex community challenges into data-driven, actionable programs. My work addresses critical gaps in:

Digital Equity: As the Project Manager for the Digital Literacy Equity Project, I aligned programs with the Houston Adult Literacy Blueprint to ensure resources reach those who needed them most.

Community Access: I build cross-sector partnerships with community organizations to expand support services.

Cultural Integration: I provide services that celebrate diversity and facilitate understanding through intentional outreach and programming.

What Sets Me Apart

What distinguishes my personal brand is a combination of technical rigor and relationship-driven leadership. I am an expert in data analysis and program management, but I am equally focused on the human element of service. My ability to communicate in English, Spanish, and Russian allows me to bridge divides and engage with a wide variety of stakeholders and dignitaries directly.

Furthermore, I am recognized by the Government of Spain, having been awarded The Order of Civil Merit in 2022, and the City of Houston for my contributions to the community.

What I Am Most Proud Of

I am deeply proud of the work I’ve done to empower individuals to thrive by providing essential access to literacy and life-changing educational resources. It has been a true privilege to dedicate my efforts to closing the digital divide. While significant work remains, the progress we have achieved in expanding digital equity across our communities is a milestone I am incredibly proud of. I am equally honored to lead Casa de España en Houston, where I continue to champion the cultural richness of our community.

My professional philosophy is rooted in the belief that success is realized through the intersection of consistent, data-informed strategy and compassionate outreach. Whether I am navigating complex grant lifecycles or coordinating cultural celebrations, I am committed to the principle that authentic leadership is built upon fostering real, human connections.

As a lifelong learner, I am actively expanding my expertise in AI and data analytics to ensure I remain equipped to solve the challenges of tomorrow.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

When it comes to managing a team and keeping morale high, the foundation of success lies in leading with both heart and clarity. To keep morale strong, you must create an environment where everyone feels emotionally safe; when people feel seen, respected, and treated with equal dignity, their commitment to the mission truly thrives. Maintaining this atmosphere requires a deep commitment to respect, consistency, and transparency in every interaction.

Empowerment is another key element, as giving team members the autonomy to lead initiatives fosters a strong sense of personal pride and a deep feeling of accomplishment. Furthermore, because productivity is a cornerstone of any successful department, it is essential to help your team define clear priorities. By ensuring they aren’t buried in “donkey work,” you give them the space for the deep, creative thinking that makes projects successful. Finally, staying actively involved is vital, as it demonstrates to your team that you truly value them and their contributions.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

A significant part of my management and entrepreneurial philosophy has been shaped by a blend of human-centered values and strategic discipline. One of the most impactful resources I have encountered is “To Pixar and Beyond” by Lawrence Levy. I consider it the definitive guide to “Zen leadership” because it beautifully illustrates how to balance an organization’s creative soul with business practicalities.

In addition to that, several other works have deeply influenced how I approach leadership and community engagement:

“Start with Why” by Simon Sinek: This has been instrumental in how I coordinate large-scale programs. It reminds me that to build social cohesion and successful partnerships, you must first clearly communicate the purpose behind the work to your team and the community.

“Think Remarkable” by Guy Kawasaki: This work resonates with my own journey as a lifelong learner. It highlights the importance of growth and grace, reminding me that leadership is about making a lasting, positive difference in others’ lives.

“Dare to Lead” by Brené Brown: This aligns with my core belief in the importance of emotional safety. It reinforces the idea that vulnerable, courageous leadership is necessary to create a workplace where employees feel seen, respected, and empowered to innovate.

These resources have reinforced my commitment to fostering real, human connections as the primary driver for achieving success.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.anafrade.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anafrade/

Image Credits

All pictures are mine.