Rocío López is the kind of leader whose story makes you pause. It’s not just her résumé—though leading international operations at a global nonprofit impacting children and families across three continents is no small feat. It’s the way she has woven her identity, faith, and love for community into every step of her journey. It’s the way she found empowerment not just through opportunity, but through connection—specifically, connection with women walking similar paths.

From her early career in Dallas as a community relations coordinator to now overseeing programs in six (soon to be seven) countries at Buckner International, Rocío’s path has been anything but linear. “Empowering, non-linear, and gratifying,” she says, when asked to describe her career. “There’ve been challenges—unexpected seasons that have really stretched me. But on this side of it, I’ve learned, and I see the impact.”

That impact includes working alongside local leaders to transform family and child welfare systems—not just individual communities. “We’re impacting systems at the federal level in a lot of cases,” she shares. “We’re not just bringing aid—we’re helping shift how countries care for their most vulnerable citizens. That’s my greatest joy.”

But how does a woman from Texas find herself transforming global systems? The answer, Rocío says, includes a mix of divine timing, mentorship, and the power of a supportive community.

Becoming Her Own Superhero

People are often surprised to learn Rocío is a die-hard superhero fan. “Marvel, DC—all of it,” she laughs. “It started with watching Christopher Reeve’s Superman with my stepdad. He passed away 10 years ago, so those movies are really nostalgic for me.”

But her love of superhero stories runs deeper than nostalgia. “There’s something empowering about them—especially the female heroes. We don’t see that as often in media or society, and when we do, it’s powerful,” she reflects. “Representation matters. When you can see yourself as the hero, even in fiction, it makes an impact.”

That theme—representation, empowerment, showing up as who you are—echoes throughout Rocío’s story.

A Calling to Serve

Rocío began her work at Buckner International 15 years ago, starting in a local role before stepping into leadership of all international operations a decade later. Her rise wasn’t scripted; it was shaped by seizing opportunities, following her heart for international missions, and saying yes when unexpected doors opened.

Today, she plays a pivotal role in strategic programs for children and families in Texas, Latin America, and Africa. “It’s not about me,” she insists. “It’s about the collective work we’re doing. I get a front-row seat to systemic change. That’s incredibly fulfilling.”

Faith, Reconstructed

While Rocío’s work is faith-based (Buckner was founded by a Baptist pastor), her personal relationship with faith has been one of evolution. Raised in a conservative, legalistic environment, Rocío found herself questioning parts of the theology she’d accepted as a child.

“I went through a journey of deconstruction,” she says. “I started asking, ‘What do I actually believe? What aligns with what I read in the Bible?’”

The questions didn’t mean she was losing her faith. Quite the opposite. They drove her deeper, made her curious, and ultimately led her to discover empowering truths in Scripture about how Jesus viewed and elevated women. “There are things I was never taught—that Jesus lifted women up, valued them, empowered them. That was life-changing for me.”

In a time when her church community felt misaligned with her values—especially during the cultural and political upheaval of 2020—Rocío found herself leaning into the Polished Network community as a place to be honest, to ask questions, to grow.

Finding Home in Community

“Polished was a safe place for me when I didn’t feel like I had that at church,” Rocío shares. “It became my church in a way. A place where I could still grow in faith and be open about doubts, about questions.”

The women Rocío met in that community weren’t striving for perfection—they were striving for authenticity. “They were like me,” she says. “Single, working, asking big questions about faith. And we didn’t feel like we had a place in traditional church spaces that were more focused on families or motherhood.”

Through this sisterhood, Rocío found something sacred: a space to be seen, heard, challenged, and celebrated. And it’s a space she encourages every woman in the workplace to seek.

“I would say it’s a top priority,” she emphasizes. “Get a job—yes. But the next priority? A community of support. Because nobody can do this alone.”

Allyship and Opportunity

As a leader, Rocío is passionate about advocating for women—but not in isolation. She believes true equity in the workplace requires allyship, and she’s seen firsthand the difference it can make.

“I’ve had men in my career who mentored me, invested in my leadership. I wouldn’t be where I am without them,” she says. “They pulled up chairs at tables that maybe didn’t have one for me. That changes not just your career—it changes the organization.”

Thanks to her leadership and insight, Rocío has been invited into conversations with male leaders who want to understand the experiences of the women on their teams. “I’ve had men say, ‘Hey, you have a perspective we need—help us be better allies.’ And I get to speak into those rooms, informed by my network of women.”

It’s the full-circle power of community in action: when women are supported, they rise. And when they rise, they can advocate for others.

Why Community Matters

Rocío’s story is a testament to the impact of spaces like 4word—safe, faith-rooted communities that support Christian women in the workplace. Whether you’re navigating personal faith questions, struggling with workplace dynamics, or simply looking for others who understand the pressures of leadership and life, communities like 4word offer what Rocío found in Polished: sisterhood, sanctuary, and strength.

“You need that community to point you to Jesus,” Rocío says. “To remind you what’s true, to speak into your life—both in the hard moments and the joyful ones. To cheer you on.”

For Rocío, that community has been predominantly women. But it also includes mentors and allies across the spectrum. “Having people who speak into your life with love, truth, and encouragement—it’s transformational.”

More Than a Resume

Beyond her impressive career, Rocío is a proud tía, a devoted dog mom to Xena (yes, the warrior princess), a self-proclaimed foodie, and a woman whose love language is coffee. She graduated from Baylor University with a degree in International Business and Marketing and earned her MBA in 2016.

But more than credentials, it’s her character and commitment to transformation—both personal and global—that define her story.

Don’t Do It Alone

Rocío’s journey is an invitation: to lead with heart, to lean into faith (even with questions), and to surround yourself with a community that sees you, supports you, and points you back to Jesus.

Because real superheroes don’t fly solo.

And neither should you.

Rocío López has a deep-rooted passion for empowerment and transformation. This has fueled her professional experiences and has inevitably carried over into other aspects of her life. She has worked at a global non-profit headquartered in Dallas, Texas since 2010 where she currently leads international operations and drives the strategy of programs for underserved children and families in Texas, Latin America, and Africa. Additionally, Rocío loves connecting with women to navigate life, work, and faith together. She graduated from Baylor University with her undergraduate degree in International Business and Marketing and completed her MBA in December of 2016. Rocío is a proud Tía of a sweet nephew, a dog mom to Xena (the warrior princess), a self-proclaimed foodie, and coffee is her love language.