Brandon Nieves Empowers Latino Professionals
By Isabella Romeu, Negocios Now
Nueva York. Brandon Nieves, the founder and CEO of The Hispanic Collective LLC (THC), is a man on a mission. A native of Yonkers, New York, and a proud product of diverse communities, Nieves has always understood the value of representation and the power of collective action. His journey from engineer to community leader is a testament to his belief that “the more you walk away from the things you fear, the less you learn.” This philosophy has become the driving force behind THC.
Shifting Gears: Engineering a Future of Latino Leadership
Nieves’ career began in construction and engineering, where Latinos have historically had a strong presence. However, he quickly noticed a lack of representation in leadership roles. This realization sparked a desire to give back to his community. While working at a construction management/general contractor company, Nieves joined the company’s Latinx Employee Resource Group (ERG), where he spent seven years honing his leadership skills, including two years as co-lead.
However, Nieves wanted to contribute more personally, so he founded The Hispanic Collective in 2024.
Fundamental Pillars: Community, Development, and Policy
THC’s work is guided by three core pillars: Community, Development, and Policy. “Community” intends to bring people together to network and build personal connections, and “development” focuses on professional growth, particularly for corporate professionals. For example, THC is developing programs to help undergraduates transition into the corporate world and supporting mid-level professionals and C-suite executives in their leadership journeys. And finally, “policy” aims to educate the community about laws and policies that affect Latinos, with a long-term goal of advocacy.
Nieves is particularly passionate about development. “We’re working our way from the bottom to the top,” he says. “We want to help onboard young professionals, foster the development of mid-level professionals, and support rising C-Suite executives in their leadership journeys.”
Breaking Stereotypes and Building Bridges
One of THC’s key challenges is combating stereotypes about Latino professionals. “Latinos can fill any role,” Nieves asserts. “We need to communicate that externally and create resources internally that help people understand what’s possible.”
THC’s programs aim to provide exposure and opportunities, showing Latinos how to transition from blue-collar to white-collar roles and beyond. “We want to demonstrate what’s possible,” Nieves says. “It’s about having our feet planted in the right place and showing people the path forward.”
Looking Ahead
THC’s strategic plan for 2025 focuses on expanding its reach and impact. The organization is working to foster community, build connections, and collaborate with other groups in the short term. Nieves and his team are also developing a program to help recent graduates transition into the corporate world, with tailored content to address their unique challenges.
Nieves envisions THC as one of the largest organizations supporting Hispanic professionals in the U.S., one that “creates communities across the nation, develops resources, and puts Hispanics in the places they want and deserve to be.” For Nieves, the end goal scratches further beneath the surface. “I hope our work helps people learn about themselves and become better human beings,” he reflects.
A Collective Effort for the Future
The Hispanic Collective is more than just an organization—it’s a movement. By focusing on community, development, and policy, THC is breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for Latino professionals across industries. And at the center of it all is Brandon Nieves, a leader who lives to serve and believes in the power of collective action.
As Nieves puts it, “The more you walk away from the things you fear, the less you learn.” With THC, he’s facing those fears head-on, building a brighter future for the Latino community—one connection, one program, and one leader at a time.
