Next Up in Our 30 Faces of YES: Patricia Bravo
Patricia was navigating both a job search and a deeper contemplation of belonging when she first connected with YES. As an expat in Montreal, she was eager to build a professional future but felt held back by language barriers and uncertainty about where she fit within a new cultural and professional landscape.
Through YES programs, Patricia found more than practical support—she found confidence and community. The French for the Workforce program helped her feel at ease working in French, while workshops and the Women Employment Readiness Quebec (WERQ) program gave her the tools to organize her goals, strengthen her leadership skills, and connect with others on similar paths. That supportive environment allowed her to explore new directions, share her voice, and begin shaping ideas that aligned with her values and experience.
Today, Patricia’s journey continues to evolve. She has built a multifaceted career spanning project coordination, design, and web development, while also developing a digital solution to help other allophones practice French in the workplace. Now returning to YES as a volunteer and speaker, she brings her experience full circle—empowering others with clarity, purpose, and the belief that even non-linear paths can lead to meaningful impact.
Interview with Patricia
What brought you to YES, and what were you hoping to achieve at that time?
When I first came to YES, I was seeking guidance in my quest for a job. But most importantly, I was trying to figure out where I belong, because as an expat, sometimes it’s hard to figure that out.
Can you tell me about some of the challenges or goals you faced when you first connected with YES? Was there a particular moment or obstacle that felt especially significant?
Communicating in French was a big struggle of mine, that’s why YES was a huge help for me. I got French lessons and after that I learned about the French for the Workforce program. Registering and participating in the program gave me even more confidence to talk in French. This was one of my biggest problems when I was looking for a job, because living in Montreal means that you need to be bilingual and feel comfortable talking French or English. At the time I was nailing my job interviews in English, but I was being turned away when I had to switch to French.
How did YES support you in overcoming those challenges or moving forward in your career, business, or artistic journey?
YES gave me all the tools that I needed. I found new friends that I still talk to and got a space to express myself freely, I got the chance to meet a lot of interesting people that love what they do and it was just a matter of time to transfer this confidence to me and to make me start my own journey of discovery.
First, I was a member of the WERQ cohort, and later I was invited to give conferences about personal branding. I landed a job helping fellow expats with the Chamber of Commerce for Quebec and Latin America and also participated in workshops for entrepreneurs. My project is to develop a way to learn and practice French for a workplace environment. I took French classes with YES, and I was giving more conferences about career switch for other YES clients.
Were there any tools, workshops, or insights from YES that made a lasting difference?
On top of helping me in my job hunt, YES also taught me about organization, leadership, sharing, and creating a community. Also, it was a safe space to talk and vent about frustrations, challenges, etc.
Where are you now in your journey, and what achievements or milestones are you most proud of?
I completed my program with YES as a WERQ member, right after which I landed a job as a project coordinator for the Chamber of Commerce for Quebec and Latin America, were I was also an ambassador during events. During that time, I was able to make new connections and help other expats, and I also proposed a redesign of their website. Also, I learned how to use a content management system and improved their image overall by creating new visuals for their communication channels, and I was part of the group of ten entrepreneurs creating a project that helps the community.
My project is to create an app for allophones to practice French for the workplace, learning about pronunciation and having a space to practice with a tutor. This was a starter, and I developed the first prototype of my app and created a business plan. Later I decided to go beyond and started a program in French in Web development that I’m finishing at this very moment. I’m doing my practice and I was lucky enough to be part of The Foundation of Greater Montréal as an intern. As I have a lot of experience as a UX UI designer, I’m also auditing their website and creating a new design.
Today, I continue working on my app and the next step is to find funding for its phase II. I’m now able to design and code my app, having more control over the features I want to implement.
Looking back, is there a particular moment or success that stands out as a turning point?
My career hasn’t been linear, and on many occasions, I had to stop and make new plans. I’m proud of all my accomplishments and I believe that everything is part of something bigger. Now, I just need to continue and trust. For me, every step counts, but I’m happy that back at the time, I had the chance to find YES.
I was lucky because I just checked online and saw that someone was recruiting for the WERQ program. Looking back, I remember I was feeling kind of lost and I asked for a signal. I think I manifested what was next because it was really a blessing to meet the director of the program, and I was so thrilled to learn that I was selected. After that, everything just started to happen like a domino effect. And I hope these kinds of coincidences continue to happen and bring more blessings to my life.
Which YES services, workshops, or coaching did you participate in?
WERQ, ELLEvate, French for the workforce. And I gave conferences for other cohort members about personal branding and my experience as a designer.
Do you have any full-circle moments to share—such as returning as a speaker, mentor, or volunteer?
Some full-circle moments of mine include volunteering, giving talks on personal branding and helping others discover and communicate their unique value proposition. It was a transformative experience to be able to share what I’ve learned and see how others became empowered with those tools.
Now, as I finish my professional internship in web development, I find myself in a new stage: job search. But this time, it’s different. It’s not just about getting any job. I’m conducting this search with more awareness and intention. I’m looking for a team that is empathetic, that values genuine collaboration, and that works with purpose for the community. I want to contribute in a space where my work in web development has a positive impact, while I continue developing my app.
It’s curious how everything connects: the lessons I shared about personal branding, I now apply in my own job search, with clarity about my values and what I truly seek in this new professional stage. It’s the circle closing in a very meaningful way.
➔ Discover Patricia’s portfolio and skills here.
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