Alejandra Angeles
“My goal has always been to show migrant women from our community that landing a professional job in Australia is absolutely achievable.”
Alejandra Angeles
Occupation: Performance Marketing Specialist at Medibank and Founder & Director of Gals en Australia
State of Residency: Victoria
Favourite place in Australia: The 12 Apostles
Biggest surprise when arriving in Australia: How cute some of the animals are (wombats, koalas, birds). Also, how stunning and diverse the nature is overall.
Story edited by Lucy Coulson, digital edit Cristy Abela
Alejandra Ángeles is the founder of Gals en Australia, a leading network for Latina and Hispanic women in Australia, the Gals tribe mentoring program, and the creator of She Rises, the country’s first summit celebrating Latina and Hispanic leaders. Through Gals en Australia and the gals tribe, she has helped hundreds of migrant women secure jobs, transition into leadership roles and achieve better salaries.
For Alejandra, success isn’t defined by accolades but by the tangible impact she creates. Her true motivation comes from seeing migrant women break barriers, advance in their careers and gain financial literacy in a new country.
Through Gals en Australia and She Rises, she has built a movement that empowers migrant women to thrive in the Australian job market. Her work aims to foster lasting change, building a strong community and ensuring that every woman has the support and resources to succeed.
Alejandra has built Gals en Australia as a safe and supportive space where migrant women can access career resources, mentorship and community. She has crafted both online and in-person experiences, organising over 150 events and workshops that equip women with the tools to advance professionally. Through these initiatives, she fosters connection, knowledge-sharing and empowerment, ensuring migrant women in Australia have the support they need to thrive.
TELL US YOUR STORY
Moving to Australia was a leap of faith. I had met my boyfriend (now husband) in 2015, and in 2017 together we decided to start a new chapter. I arrived as a student in 2018 to pursue a Master’s degree, confident that my professional experience in Mexico and Germany would help me transition smoothly into the workforce. But I quickly realised how difficult it was for migrants to secure professional roles in Australia, even with strong qualifications.
Ale and adorable Laika
For a year, I applied to countless jobs while working in hospitality to support myself. Many migrant women I met shared similar stories; experienced professionals in their home countries but struggling to break into their fields here. I refused to accept that skilled migrant women had to settle for jobs far below their qualifications.
In 2019, I finally secured my first professional job in Australia. That experience inspired me to share what I had learned with others in similar situations. I wanted to create a space where women could support each other, access resources and build the confidence to pursue their careers in Australia.
In October 2019, I invited Claudia Viloria to join me in launching Gals en Australia, a community dedicated to connecting, empowering and uplifting women from Latina & Hispanic backgrounds. We started with free workshops in Melbourne, covering career development, networking, LinkedIn optimisation, interview skills and emotional well-being. The response was immediate!
The Gals Tribe event 2023
As the community grew, we expanded our initiatives. Through the Gals Tribe mentoring programme, we have helped over 150 women secure jobs, transition into leadership roles and negotiate higher salaries. The success of our members is a testament to the power of community and shared knowledge.
In July 2022, Clau stepped away to focus on her studies, while I continued to lead and expand Gals en Australia. Today, it has grown into a thriving network of over 14,000 women, providing a safe space where women can access career resources, mentorship and a strong support system.
Now, we have a team of ambassadors who help lead initiatives in cities such as Adelaide, Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. We are also expanding to include ambassadors in Perth, Hobart and Canberra, further strengthening our presence and support network across Australia.
My goal has always been to show migrant women from our community that landing a professional job in Australia is absolutely achievable. But beyond securing jobs, we also need to be seen and celebrated in spaces of influence. That’s why the She Rises summit is so important. It is Australia’s first summit celebrating Latina and Hispanic leaders, bringing together 500 attendees at The Capitol Theatre in Melbourne’s CBD. I booked this beautiful venue because I wanted our community to be recognised and taken seriously. She Rises is about amplifying our voices, making sure we are represented in professional and leadership spaces, and showing that migrant women belong at the table.
This event isn’t backed by sponsors or big grants – it’s 100% self-funded. I used my own resources because I believe in us, in our potential and in the impact we can create when we support each other. We feel grateful that some organizations decided to support us by purchasing several tickets for their teams, we look forward to future partnerships with them.
I can’t wait for the very first edition of SHE RISES, its going to be a special one!
CHALLENGES
Grief as a migrant is a unique kind of pain —I have faced many challenges as a migrant, but none compare to the loss of my mother to cancer in 2024. It was, and will likely always be, the most difficult time of my life. Losing her felt like losing everything. Her absence left an immense void, and it also brought the painful realisation that grief can change relationships — I lost friends I once believed would stand by me.
I am grateful that I was able to be with my mother and my family in Mexico during her final moments, to say goodbye and to hold her hand as she left. That time was a gift, but it did not make the loss any easier.
Grief as a migrant is a unique kind of pain — it comes with distance, longing, and a sense of being caught between two worlds. But in the midst of that loss, I have found strength. I carry my mother’s love, her lessons and her legacy with me in everything I do in my work with Gals en Australia.
Growing our impact -Being based in Melbourne means I can’t always be on the ground in every city, but that’s by design, because Gals en Australia was never about one person. Our ambassadors are builders of community in their own right. Each brings our values to life in all the major cities.Expanding to new cities through our Gals Ambassadors has been a powerful step in growing our impact.
Zero budget, Maximum impact- When we set out to create She Rises, we thought careful planning would be enough. But we quickly realised we were starting from scratch with no sponsors or government grants. To make it happen, I funded it from my own pocket. I had trust in the strength of our community and the belief that a space like this was long overdue. Every decision was a leap of faith and it worked ! She Rises is the most successful event we’ve ever had in Gals en Australia, selling out without a single dollar spent on advertising because people believed in it, and trusted our community.
CONTRASTS AND SIMILARITIES
Work-life balance – In Australia, work-life balance is highly valued, with flexible work arrangements and clear boundaries between professional and personal life. In Mexico, long working hours and high job demands are more common, making career progression feel more intense.
A flatter system – In Mexico, hierarchy is more pronounced in workplaces, with seniority playing a significant role in career advancement. In Australia, career growth is often based on merit and skills, and there’s greater accessibility to leadership opportunities.
More transparent salaries – In Mexico, salary discussions are often taboo, and wage gaps can be significant, with little transparency about how salaries are determined. In Australia, salary bands are a little bit more transparent, and people are encouraged to negotiate their pay. It took time to adjust to advocating for my worth, but learning how to negotiate salaries and understand market rates has been empowering.
Gals en Australia ambassadors Nancy Villarreal , Ana Mejía , Ale Angeles and Nancy León, Sydney 2025
PIECE OF ADVICE
Study the language – Focus on your English, it will open doors and make your journey easier. Believe in yourself, even when things feel uncertain.
Celebrate the journey – Simply being in Australia, adapting, and building a life is already an achievement. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Your journey is valid, and you are already succeeding by being here and pushing forward.
Be kind to yourself – Take it one step at a time, seek support, and be kind to yourself. Life in a new country comes with ups and downs, but you are stronger than you think. It will be okay.
Gals en Australia at SOMOS Wine in Adelaide February 2025
IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS
In the next 5–10 years, Alejandra envisions Gals en Australia growing with stronger programs and expanded mentorship opportunities for migrant women. She hopes for She Rises to become a flagship event that elevates Latina and Hispanic leadership across industries. On a personal level, Alejandra aims to continue creating spaces where migrant women feel seen, celebrated, supported, and empowered to thrive both professionally and personally.
Do you want to follow Ale’s journey?
Connect with Ale on Linkedin and follow Gals en Australia on Facebook, Instagram and Linkedin.
We invite you to you to take a moment to reflect after reading this inspiring story and invite you to support our work for the community with a tax deductible donation , following us on LinkedIn and Instagram or joining the Latin Stories Australia volunteer group.
With love and gratitude - The Latin Stories Australia team