SAN DIEGO, CA | Where do you start with a woman like Yolanda Selene Walther-Meade?  Well it better be early, as her day kicks off at 5:00am at Barry’s Boot Camp.  One of twenty finalists in San Diego Magazine’s “Woman of the Year 2011”, she remains grounded and focused. “Its enough for me just to be included in the company of these extraordinary women” shared Yolanda in a recent interview. Extraordinary is quite fitting yet vigorous might be better.  

You’d need a quick-step to keep up with her, leaving bootcamp to make breakfast for her two children and taxi them to Francis Parker College-Preparatory School. “My kids are priority and dictate what I do” she says with pride.  Even so, she juggles responsibilities as Chief Marketing Officer at the Gomez Law Firm in San Diego, cross-border volunteering for Dos Aguilas Bi-National Charity, and Hostess of the San Diego Latin Film Festival.  Its no wonder she was named a one of San Diego Metropolitan Magazine’s "Movers and Shakers" for 2011 - one of the women that rock San Diego.

In the cracks of her hectic schedule, Yolanda manages to be a staunch supporter of the San Diego Salsa scene.  “Thank God for Dance” she explains, “When I started to be a spokesperson and host these major events promoting the Latin community, and I couldn’t dance!  Not only did I need to learn to dance, but look good doing it!”  Like everything she does, Yolanda took this on with tenacity, hiring babysitters while spending countless evenings with David Stein or Juan Carlos Hernandez at Majesty In Motion.  The results paid off “its opened doors, I meet so many more people” she said.  

Not that she needed it.  In her as career as a translator of five languages and philanthropy work she’s served and met her share of high-profile people, including the past Mexican Presidents (Fox, Calderón), President George W. Bush (when Governor of Texas), President of Spain,  Nobel and Pulitzer Prize Winners as well as numerous Latin film stars and directors. That’s says a lot for from San Diego whose protective father moved her to live in Tijuana at 16 years old to keep her from the eastern lure of the Ivy League.  Her ambition drove her earn her undergraduate CETYS, and international business studies at UCSD at night.  

Today, Yolanda consistently promotes salsa within her high profile events like the Latin Film Festival, which attracts 20,000 people and 200 films each year with showcases in March, July, September and November.  The main showcase, which happens in March included shows by Alma Latina, Majesty in Motion, San Diego Bachateros and Salsa Inferno.  Other performers regularly featured include Michael Saltus (Positive Energy), Serena Cuevas (Deseo) and most recently Susie Nguyen’s Ooh La La Cosabellas.  “I wanted to showcase salsa! In the past the events had random genres” she explained.  

Under her wing, salsa has gained a high-level of exposure in America’s Finest City.  Her events have featured popular artists like Sonora Carruseles and Angel Lebron, been entertained by large ensembles such as the Bi-National Orchestra, and rocked out to Ozolmatli, The B-Side Players, and Grupo Canari.  Many times, local performers have danced for thousands on Univison due to her efforts, and several of the city’s finest hotels now welcome salsa-centric events.  Her most recent project, Malashock’s So You Think You Can Dance, raised money for charity while pairing local celebrities with our professional dancers for both fun and competition.

Even the though her father kept her from the Ivy League, he was an individual committed to philanthropy. “Even today I’m learning of charities he was involved in,” she shared “He always told me ‘Anyone of us has time, talent or treasure.  Everyone has one of the three to give back and make this world a better place’.”  In Yolanda’s case, she may not have much time, but she is definitely a talent we should all treasure.

As far as a social life, she quipped “In these spheres, I’ve met great friends, I have my fun.”  

Lucky for all of us.