Building Resilience through Leadership & Social Equity

Dolores G. Terrazas recalls witnessing a nonprofit face severe consequences for failing to adhere to regulatory standards. This pivotal moment ignited her passion for understanding the role of risk management and compliance in preventing such crises.

Born and raised in San Francisco, Dolores experienced the complexities of systemic change firsthand as a student in the San Francisco Unifi

ed School District’s busing program, which aimed to improve educational equity.

Her career—spanning education, policy, and nonprofit leadership—has been defined by her ability to balance regulatory frameworks with operational excellence.

Dolores earned her Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies with a minor in History from San Francisco State University and a Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction from New Mexico State University. Her leadership journey includes transformative experiences such as participating in the National Hispana Leadership Institute and a fellowship with the Administration for Children, Youth, and Families in Washington, D.C. She also engaged in tri-lateral policy discussions as part of the Tri-National Latino Leaders initiative in Spain.

These opportunities led her to coursework at Harvard University, the Universidad de Santander, and higher education institutions where she taught pedagogy. There she focused on the intersection of policy formation, systems transformation, and social justice. Dolores credits these experiences with shaping her perspective on using innovative, data-driven solutions to address systemic challenges.

Dolores began her career in early education in the San Francisco Bay Area, overseeing a team of 180 staff members in a local community organization. This role required her to balance the human development aspects of education with the operational demands of managing an evidence-based program.

Transitioning to compliance, Dolores brought this holistic approach to monitoring large federal early education programs across the United States, including rural communities in Kentucky, the Ozarks, and Puerto Rico. Despite resource challenges, she noted that these programs served as beacons of quality and innovation.

Reflecting on her journey, Dolores states, “The path wasn’t always straightforward, but it was intentional.” She embraced leadership roles to contribute to transformative education and nonprofit service delivery work. Over time, she keenly understood effective risk management as a proactive, adaptable practice essential for organizational resilience.

Today, Dolores leads MEDA’s efforts to integrate risk management frameworks with cutting-edge technologies, ensuring compliance while fostering a more resilient organization. She emphasizes that risk management is not just about rule adherence but about safeguarding an organization’s sustainability to foster holistic growth, enabling the company to adapt and prosper in dynamic and uncertain business environments.

Her lifelong commitment to volunteerism underscores her dedication to governance and accountability. Over 25 years, she has served as a director and chairwoman on nonprofit boards, gaining expertise in legal, governance, and fundraising responsibilities.

Dolores’ vision for the future includes leveraging data analytics, artificial intelligence, and human-centered service delivery elements to revolutionize the nonprofit sector’s risk management landscape.

As I think of the next generation of leadership, I’m reminded that risk management and compliance are not just about protecting organizations but about ensuring their long-term impact and sustainability, she concludes.

The Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA), founded in 1973, is a nonprofit organization forging pathways for economic opportunity and success. Operating in San Francisco’s Mission District, a vibrant hub for the Latino community, MEDA has been a cornerstone of community development for decades.

What began as a technical assistance provider for small businesses in the Latino community has evolved into a comprehensive community development organization. Today, MEDA offers various services, including affordable housing development, tenant protections, financial capability coaching, small business lending, first-time homeownership support, and workforce development. Additionally, MEDA serves as the backbone agency for Mission Promise Neighborhood (MPN), an anti-poverty educational initiative with a “prenatal to career” approach that supports both students and parents. The transformative impact of this initiative has been recognized by institutions such as Harvard University’s EdRedesign Lab, which featured MEDA’s leadership model in its 2024 case study ‘When Families Thrive, Children Succeed.’ MEDA, through MPN, plays a leading role in both the California Promise Neighborhood Network (CPNN) and the National Promise Neighborhoods Coalition (NPNC).

Each year, MEDA serves nearly 18,000 clients across its programs and currently oversees a portfolio of 1,358 affordable housing units, with an additional 1,152 units in development. MEDA’s affordable housing strategy focuses on acquiring and rehabilitating properties to preserve affordability while partnering with developers to create new mixed-use buildings. The organization also provides affordable commercial spaces in its properties, supporting early childhood programs, small businesses, arts and cultural organizations, and other nonprofits.

MEDA’s housing program has brought in over $750 million in private and public funding investments to produce and preserve permanent affordable housing.

As a community advocate, MEDA empowers Mission District residents to remain in their neighborhoods by ensuring access to affordable housing & essential services. MEDA’s Policy team works with partners to amplify the voices of underserved communities, enabling them to shape policies and decisions that impact their lives.

In recent elections, MEDA & its community partners have celebrated victories as voters supported measures to secure funding for stabilizing housing for vulnerable residents in San Francisco. MEDA has provided over $17 million in loans to 558 small business owners through its Fondo Adelante CDFI (Community Development Financial Institution) as a stalwart supporter of the local economy. In 2022 alone, MEDA offered coaching and technical assistance for business development to 400 small businesses.Of Fondo’s clients, 71% are low- to moderate-income, and 59% are women-owned businesses.

Remarkably, Fondo has maintained a 98% repayment rate, reflecting the resilience and success of the entrepreneurs it supports, thanks to tailored lending and consistent business development coaching.

Fondo Adelante is a member of the California Small Business Coalition for Racial Justice, a collaborative initiative that has developed innovative financial products like the Racial Equity Lens Fund to empower entrepreneurs who often face barriers to accessing capital through traditional lenders and are at risk of predatory lending practices.

In 2022, MEDA formalized its Risk Management and Compliance (RMC) department to ensure a centralized and consistent approach to risk management and compliance for its comprehensive programs.

This department also provides funders timely reporting on our transformative impact on the community and actionable feedback for continuous program improvements. This department reflects the organization’s growth and commitment to addressing the complexities of affordable housing and social service delivery.

On a typical workday at MEDA, Dolores begins by identifying the highest-risk items the organization faces and assessing the resources required to address them. She continuously evaluates various business lines, considering structural, systemic, policy, legal, and financial impacts that need mitigation. Additionally, she reviews the organization’s risk tolerance levels to ensure informed decision-making.

With over 14 operational and program departments, a workforce of more than 100 employees, and external factors influencing daily operations, Dolores plays a crucial role in providing visibility and support to teams in managing emerging or potential risks. Her work relies heavily on collaboration and strategic partnerships to navigate challenges effectively and drive organizational success.

Dolores emphasizes the importance of staying true to core values while navigating the complexities of compliance and leadership.

Regulate, manage, and lead through change cycles – She believes every situation requires adaptability and strategic decision-making for long-term sustainability. Providing guidance to others is key to ensuring smooth transitions.

Validate and acknowledge challenges – Dolores stresses the need to recognize what is happening, make room for uncertainty, and embrace the “healthy mess” that comes with change. “We are human, astute, and capable of moving from uncertainty to action,” she reminds others, reinforcing confidence in navigating complex situations.

Be patient—with yourself and others – Growth and progress take time, and patience is essential in handling the unpredictable nature of compliance and risk management.

Bring everyone along on the journey – As Dolores often says, “We can only go as fast as we can and as slow as we must.” She underscores the importance of ensuring that solutions and structures within an organization are inclusive and sustainable. “We must offer words of calm during emotionally charged moments and recognize that transitions happen at different speeds. Leadership should be grounded in reality, identifying the organization’s resilience while leaning into its ‘north star’ for guidance.” She believes organizations should always operate based on best practices while maintaining a human-centered approach.

Pace yourself, understand your rhythm, and identify what drives you – Dolores acknowledges that everyone is motivated by different factors—whether it’s competition, curiosity, mission, values, or financial goals. “There’s no right or wrong—what matters is knowing your own rhythm.” In risk management, the real question is never “Will change happen?” but rather, “Do I have the right procedures and resources to find an effective solution?”

When you get compliance right, the essence of your business will blossom, staff will excel and maximize their delivery, and your client will be duly served.