President's Letter: Let's Consider the 'What ifs' and 'Why Nots'

We begin the 2025- 2026 fiscal year for our great association!

First, I would like to introduce my family to those of you who were unable to attend FNGLA Annual Convention in beautiful Orlando in June.

Accompanying this letter is a photograph of the Lucio-Chinchilla family: my husband, Ignacio, my 16-year-old-daughter, Daniella, and my 14-year-old son, Javier.

As I write my first letter to you all, I celebrate 18 years of marriage!  

It is crazy to think that at one point Ignacio and I resided on different continents. I was born in California, and raised in Colombia, and landed a Miami-born Cuban American for a husband, a Chinchilla.

Yes, a Chinchilla is also a little animal which originates from the Andes mountains in South America. Chinchillas are known for their soft fur, which is used by the clothing industry to make expensive coats. Chinchillas are actually considered rodents, but I choose to look at them as beautiful creatures, used for luxury coats. This is normally how I like to view things, through a lens that will allow me to consider the possibilities -- the 'what if?' and the 'why not?' -- rather than just the obvious.

As we embark upon this new FNGLA year, we will welcome new chapter leaders. Just a few days back, I was present in the election for the FNGLA Miami-Dade Chapter. And on July 19, I will attend the installation of the FNGLA Palm Beach Chapter president. On July 22, the FNGLA Frontrunners Chapter will hold its End of Year Banquet and Installation. Here are more upcoming Chapter installation dates as of the writing of this letter.

As we step into these new roles, let’s consider the 'what ifs' and the 'why nots.' If we change our perception of things we might find a better way to solve a situation, or locate the answer to our questions. We also may begin to question more -- and this will lead us to amazing new opportunities in the coming year!
 

Your FNGLA 2025-26 President,

Marcella Lucio-Chinchilla