Gii Astorga

Business Engagement/Event Coordinator

Greeley Downtown Development Authority

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If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would that be?

There are a few things I repeat to myself daily. First, I remind myself to know my worth. Second, I believe in the magic of truth. Third, I encourage myself to fail forward. Lastly, I remind myself that I’m not better than anyone else, but I’m just as good as everyone else. If I could give my younger self just one piece of advice, I would say that it’s okay to fail. As long as you make the attempt to be the best version of yourself in any situation, the win is taking that leap of faith. While it’s still a massive and terrifying feeling of failure, I’ve realized that as I’ve gotten older, everything I’ve considered failure has turned out okay, and I’m fine! You can’t learn a lesson and grow if you don’t take a chance at it!

Who do you count as your greatest mentor(s) that have helped you succeed in your personal and professional life?

There are so many people who come to mind. Many teachers growing up (shoutout to my teachers!) believed in me, and I never realized how much that impact had on my self-belief.
Later in life, I found inspiration from many men who gave me advice, helped me out when I was at my lowest, and made me feel a sense of belonging (looking at you Troy, Kirk, Brandon, and Gentry!). Most recently, I’ve been so grateful for the team at the Greeley DDA, especially Bianca as a leader has made me understand that I contribute to our community in ways that are genuine and from the heart.
Most importantly, I am thankful for my parents. Their guidance on how to be a good person and their sacrifices to immigrate to this country so that we could have a better life fuel me to pay it forward. None of what I have accomplished would be possible if my parents didn’t leave everything they knew behind, so that we could be where we are today.
Every single one of these people has shown me the power of believing in one another. I am forever grateful for every single one of them.

Where do you see yourself and what will you be doing with your life after 40?

Don’t rush me. I just turned 35, so I’m not too sure where I’ll be in five years. Of course, I’m joking!
I do know that I want to support my community. I want to celebrate its culture and most importantly, its people. Music, photography, and videography have always been a passion of mine, and I would love to see more people within our community explore creativity for the sake of creativity. Hopefully, I’ll be able to help people believe that they are capable of doing great.

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