Esther Gonzalez Freeman

Esther Gonzalez Freeman is a Latinx educator, speaker, writer, advocate, and certified life and career coach.

During her 16+ years in higher education, Esther has drawn on her experience as a first-generation college graduate to develop and lead programs focused on diversity and inclusion, leadership and career development, the retention of first generation and high financial need students, and more. She is currently the Director of the Odyssey Scholars Program at Elon University’s Center for Access and Success which provides need- and merit-based scholarships to over 100 promising leaders from diverse backgrounds.  She also serves as the Director of High School in the Village, which promotes leadership development and college-bound support to predominately Latinx youth. Esther has worked with John Gardner of the Gardner Institute to develop a sophomore success program at Salem College and has also served on several statewide committees including a statewide North Carolina committee dedicated to developing research-based mentoring models for marginalized student populations. Her work has been recognized by ACPA, the City of Winston Salem, Lehigh University, and NCICU, to name a few.

Esther is also passionate about motivating, empowering, and guiding others to create fulfilling, purposeful, and balanced lives.  As a speaker, writer, and coach, Esther is respected for her unflinching authenticity regarding her own experiences and “tell-it-like-it-is” bluntness concerning body positivity, mental health, wellness, faith, and more—all of which is delivered with warmth, humor, and empathy. The founder of E Powered Media LLC, Esther has appeared on the Dr. Oz Show and TLC’s My Big Fat Fabulous Life (Season 1), and has been quoted and featured in Reader’s Digest, Dr. Oz The Good Life, Rumbo Austin, Forsyth Woman Magazine, and Galtime.com. She has served as a speaker and presenter for noted organizations and events including Project Potential, Elon’s ALANAM Women’s Institute, NACAC, College Board, Diversity Abroad, and more.

Esther earned a BA in Political Science from The College of New Jersey, a MS in Leadership & Business Ethics from Duquesne University, and is currently pursuing her MBA at Elon University.