'Women in Leadership' Speaker: Patricia Avila

Patricia Avila, a television producer and host in Hampton Roads, believes how you handle rejection determines your chance of success. She knows this firsthand.

Despite being rejected a lot, she knew she would eventually get her chance.

"It was tough," she said. "But I never gave up."

She kept looking for that one "yes" after hearing "no" on too many occasions.

"Sometimes you maybe get discouraged because the process is not easy," said Avila, who was born in South America but has lived in Hampton Roads for more than 20 years. "You might go six months between auditions and nothing's going on, but then one chance can change the whole journey. Basically, that is what happened to me."

Avila is the producer and host of the TV show "Living 757," the morning show host on La Selecta 103.3 FM, and the producer and host of the "We Are Living Healthy" TV show and podcast.

She will share her story March 23 from noon-1:30 p.m. as part of Thomas Nelson's virtual presentation called "Women in Leadership." Joining Avila on the panel will be Cassandra Lewis, chancellor at the National Defense University College of Information and Cyberspace; and Georgie Márquez, a licensed architect and co-owner of Andre Marquez Architects in Norfolk. The discussion is being held as the College recognizes Women's History Month, and will be moderated by Thomas Nelson President Dr. Towuanna Porter Brannon.

"I hope we can all share our stories, and I can learn from them, and they can learn more about who I am," Avila said. "And discover new leaders in the community."

While a positive outlook is important when dealing with rejection, Avila noted you must be prepared when that chance comes. Again, Avila knows that firsthand.

Her initial production on TV was in Spanish, but then her executive producer wanted her to branch out to the Anglo market.

"I was like, 'Ouch. How are we going to do that because my English is not great for TV?'" she said.

She took it as another challenge, and worked on her English, a language she didn't speak when she moved to the United States. One of her shows, "Living 757," is completely in English.

"I never gave up," Avila said. "I'm always looking for new opportunities and try to be the best that I can be."

Avila admits to having many role models, including Jennifer Lopez because she started out as a dancer but then branched out to expand her opportunities.

"She's in every single industry: music, designer, producer, TV show host, actress," Avila said.

Just as important to Avila are those lesser-known people who are involved in their community. She mentions Beatriz Amberman of Virginia Beach, chair of the Virginia Coalition of Latino Organizations.

"That really attracts my attention, when someone can lead changes in communities, especially in my Latino community," Avila said.

She doesn't consider herself to be a role model. She just wants to be able to help people if they ask. She's always striving to be better, and is working on credentials at Hampton University to improve her entrepreneurial skills.

"I don't know what's coming later, but I'm always preparing myself for something nice," she said.