Day: March 19, 2020

Mark Vargas Age: 38 Title: President Name of Organization: Licentiam   Mark Vargas is a trusted adviser and close confidante to some of the highest-profile political and business leaders in America. He is widely respected as a tech entrepreneur in health care, and as a political opinion writer and advisor. He has appeared in the … Read more

Desiree Vargas Wrigley Age: 38 Title: Founder & CEO Name of Organization: Pearachute   Desiree Vargas Wrigley is founder of Pearachute, a company that helps parents and children find the best family activities in town. Prior to launching Pearachute, she co-founded GiveForward, the world’s leading crowd-sourcing platform for people facing a major life event. Under … Read more

Ivette Treviño Age: 39 Title: Senior Director Business Development Name of Organization: IHCC Loretta Ivette Treviño as senior director of Business Development & Strategy at the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, she helps lead the premier Hispanic business, networking, advocacy and development organization in Illinois. She is responsible for managing and building relationships with corporate … Read more

Vanessa Torres Age: 34 Title: Communication Director/ Producer Name of Organization: The Miracle Center     Vanessa Torres began early on at the non-profit organization that utilizes the performing arts as a catalyst for personal growth, leadership development, academic advancement and community engagement for children, youth and families in the Logan Square/Hermosa neighborhoods. As an … Read more

Martin V. Torres Age: 38 Title: Senior Policy Advisor Name of Organization: Office of Gov. Pritzker, State of Illinois   Torres’ career in public service is grounded in his belief that fostering upward economic mobility requires progressive policies and investments that support low and middle-income families.   Torres contributed to the success of Governor JB … Read more

Sarah Taylor Age: 36 Title: Founder-Executive Director Name of Organization: Yo Soy Ella   Sarah Taylor in 2012 launched her first non-profit venture, Yo Soy Ella, Inc. which translates to “I Am Her” – “We are whoever we wish to be, wherever our dreams take us; we let our dreams become us!” YSE serves as … Read more

Ana Sanchez Age: 32 Title: Manager-People Strategy Name of Organization: McDonald’s Ana Sanchez, began her career with McDonald’s as a crew member and over the years held various restaurant positions including General Manager where she led restaurant operations, numerous field tests, along with training and developing people. Within the McDonald’s Global Corporate structure, Sanchez held … Read more

Ernesto Saldivar, Jr.   Age: 39 Title: Principal Name of Organization: Torres Elementary- Acero Schools Chicago     Ernesto Saldivar, Jr. is a first-generation, bilingual, bicultural, Latino dedicated to transforming the landscape of education. He believes that all students and their families deserve access to schools that are safe and inclusive – schools that provide … Read more

Joel Rodarte Age: 35 Title: VP- Regional Director Name of Organization: Wintrust Bank   Joel Rodarte oversees six branch locations including LaSalle Street, Pilsen and DePaul University, and the newly opened Little Village branch. Rodarte was born in Blue Island, Illinois to immigrant parents from Guadalajara and Aguascalientes Mexico. After graduating from Eastern Illinois University, … Read more