Dr. Leida Javier- Ferrell, is a 27 year resident of Mobile and native from Puerto Rico. She has helped, showcased, represented and empower the Latino community in our region
Leida worked at Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce as Director of the Center for Workforce Development. She was VP of Youth and Adult Programs at Mobile Works, the Workforce investment consortia, where she managed an assistance grant after Katrina and lead to achieve above performance records. In addition, Dr. Javier-Ferrell worked as Assistant to the President of Airbus Military and as Community and Business developer for a German IT company. She has also taught at the University of South Alabama, Springhill and Bishop State Community College.
Before coming to Mobile, Dr, Javier was Dean and VP of Student Affairs in 2 large private universities in Puerto Rico. She stressed the development of leadership and community service.
After retiring in 2020, Dr. Javier-Ferrell established a project management and workforce development consultant company, Javier-Calametti, LLC, Still has dedicated most of her time in volunteer service, including providing leadership in the organization of the Mobile Latin Fest, raising funds for scholarships and assistance to the Hispanic Community.
In 2021 Javier Calametti LLC was awarded funds from Mobile United to train, certify and license Hispanic women to start food businesses. The certification classes in Spanish have served over 40 participants through BSCC and Coastal Alabama Community College. To complete this business incubator project, the Hispanic Association received a Grant from the American Recovery Act to establish a Shared kitchen Commissary Kitchen. The Continental Kitchen will open in late September. Leida has been the construction and project manager as a volunteer.
She holds a BA in Political Science from The Inter American University of Puerto Rico; an MA in Sociology from the University of Northern Iowa; and a PHD in Higher Education Administrations from Illinois State University.
Recent recognitions
2023- 25 Women that Shape the State of Alabama, Alabama Media Group
2022- Alabama Power- Power Moves Magazine recognition
2021 40 over 40 Focus Women Award recognition in Mobile
First group of Herstory Award- Museum of History of Mobile
Seven Seals Award from the Armed Forces -For bringing the Hiring our Heroes Program to Mobile
Leadership Mobile Class of 2012
Involvement in the Community:
Chair- DHR Board
Member of the Board of the United Way of Southwest Alabama
President and Founding member of the Hispanic American Business Association of the Gulf Coast
Advisory Board of BBVA Bank
Member of several working committees of the city of Mobile, workforce development and education programs
Board of the American Red Cros, MASS, the Homeless Coalition, The Interfaith Coalition, and of Professional Women International.
At 71, Leida still thrives as a disruptive leader!