March is a time to celebrate the achievements, resilience, and contributions of women around the world as we honor International Women’s Day and recognize the impact they have in our communities.
At JAMLAC, we are immensely proud to share that our Communications Director, Marlene Bedoya, has been nominated and awarded the prestigious “Woman of Impact” recognition by Female Empowerment. This honor is even more special because it comes directly from the community—it comes from the profound impact she has had on so many lives over the years.
Marlene is not just a leader in her field; she is a visionary. Her ability to see opportunities where others see obstacles has made her a bridge between people, projects, and resources that transform communities. She is not someone who limits herself to operational tasks; her strength lies in connecting, in paving the way for others, and in ensuring that the talent and hard work of many are recognized and amplified.
At JAMLAC, in addition to fundraising, she plays a crucial role in highlighting the invaluable work of the dedicated staff who fight daily for justice and the well-being of immigrants. Her leadership in advocacy campaigns has been essential to the expansion of legal aid programs. Her ability to engage with different sectors has led her to collaborate on national initiatives, including communication campaigns with the White House during the Biden administration, reinforcing the message of justice and support for vulnerable communities.
Over the years, Marlene has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the Hispanic community, particularly restaurant owners and Latino entrepreneurs. She is Ambassador of Mezcal, and Co-Founder of Amor a la Mexicana – Tequila, Mezcal Art & Culture. And, recently, she launched Timeless Agave, along with other business partners, a spirits distribution company aimed at helping mezcal producers cross borders and bring their craft to the U.S. market. As she passionately states:
“At Timeless Agave, we are driven by a deep passion for bringing and distributing the heart and soul of Mexico in Colorado—one bottle at a time. This is much more than a business; it is a mission.”
But Marlene is much more than an entrepreneur and a community leader. She is a mother, a military spouse, and a deeply resilient woman. She has learned to see every challenge as an opportunity and to find beauty in starting over, as life as a military wife has taught her to adapt and build community wherever she goes. For her, the most important thing the impact you leave on every person she encounters.
During the Female Empowerment award ceremony, many women approached Marlene to share stories of how she had changed their lives. Some remembered her from her early years working in the JAMLAC lobby, where a few words of encouragement or advice gave them the motivation to move forward. Others expressed gratitude because, in moments of crisis, she had offered them work at her house and a place to stay when they had lost everything. Still, others shared how Marlene had connected them with the right people to help them achieve success in their projects.
She is well known for her motto:
“Be confident in yourself, truly believe in your talents, and don’t see yourself always as a victim in life. Be accountable. You are the only person you should compete with: be better than yesterday. Remember, we are planting seeds with our work every day. You might not always see the outcome, but we are all part of something bigger than ourselves.”
Marlene teaches us that what truly matters is enjoying the journey, trusting in the purpose of our actions, and understanding that a person’s worth does not lie in their title, the projects they work on, or the people they know—it lies in their heart, soul, and ability to do good in the world.
On behalf of the entire JAMLAC family, we want to congratulate Marlene on this well-deserved recognition. We know this is just another step in her journey of impact and transformation.
Thank you, Marlene, for inspiring us all every single day!
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