Alumni Reflections on Growth, Community, and Confidence: Q&A with Joe Rosales & Gaby Gomez
As part of the FAO Schwarz Fellowshipโs 20th anniversary celebration, we spoke with alumni Gabriela Gomez (2016) and Joe Rosales (2016) about their journeys since completing the Fellowship. From their early days at Breakthrough New York to their current leadership roles in education and operations, Gabriela and Joe reflect on the skills they gained, the community that shaped them, and how the Fellowship continues to influence their work in social impact.
Shraddha Patel: What are the most important skills you gained during the Fellowship?
Gabriela Gomez: For me, it was confidence. It helped me ask questions and enter workspaces with curiosity. The Fellowship showed me how much you can learn from other organizations, which made me more confident comparing practices and advocating for myself at work.
Joe Rosales: Iโd also say confidence, and learning how to take risks. At Breakthrough, we were building a high school program from the ground up. That taught me how to try things, learn from what didnโt work, adapt, and keep moving forward. I donโt think I would have developed those skills so early without the Fellowship.
Shraddha: Do you have a favorite part of the Fellowship?
Gaby:ย The retreats were my favorite. I loved being in a space together and learning collaboratively. I hold a lot of precious memories from that time.
Joe: The retreats were also a highlight for me. It was reassuring to know others were having similar experiences early in their careers. Another favorite part was realizing what I wanted to do. I studied American Studies and fiction writing in college, but the Fellowship helped me see that I liked education, counseling, and supporting students emotionally. That gave me confidence moving forward.
Shraddha:ย What was the cohort experience like?
Joe: Having a cohort was incredible. We had our New York group and shared experiences with Fellows in Philadelphia and Boston. I loved having connections with people in similar spaces and learning from one another.
Gabriela and I started dating during the Fellowship and are now married, which is a personal highlight. We also stay in touch with many people from our cohort, both personally and professionally. Itโs helpful to be able to reach out to people in different fields. The cohort continues even after the Fellowship ends.
Watch the full interview to learn more about Gaby & Joeโs Fellowship experience, and how their careers have progressed since:
SHARE THIS STORY