Perfiles

Por Clemente Nicado, 

Publisher y Editor Jefe | Negocios Now

   Es la historia de una mujer que llegó a Chicago de su natal República Dominicana con una sola maleta y un sueño inmenso de ser artista, y hoy es la empresaria dueña de 15 restaurantes McDonald ‘s.

   Cuando en 1980 puso un pie en la Ciudad de Los Vientos, Carmen Solano-De Carrier tenía muy claro cuál era la razón de su viaje: quería estudiar “broadcasting” en Columbia College y hacer una carrera detrás de las cámaras y los micrófonos.

   Y no era de extrañar. Aquella adolescente de 19 años era la hija de Rafael Solano, el famoso músico y compositor dominicano, el autor de “Por Amor”, una canción traducida en varios idiomas e interpretada por figuras de la talla de Plácido Domingo; y creció admirando a su padre.

  “Mi padre tenía un show que se llamaba Solano. Yo presentaba a la gente en el show. Tenía unos 12 años. Desde esa época me encantaba el micrófono, la televisión, estar detrás de las cámaras, cantaba con mi papá; eso es lo que quería hacer”, dijo con una sonrisa.

   Pero para consumar sus sueños de ser una artista famosa en Estados Unidos, primero tenía que trabajar y escogió un empleo que, sin sospecharlo entonces, marcaría el rumbo de toda su vida.

  “Había un McDonald ‘s que estaba abriendo, solicité un empleo y me lo dieron.  Trabajaba de 5:00 am a 1 de la tarde; a las 2 me iba a Columbia College, hasta las 10 de la noche, y hacía lo mismo al otro día”, recuerda.

  Detrás del  mostrador de McDonald ‘s donde hizo desde cajera hasta ser promovida a puestos ejecutivos, conoció a su primer esposo, se casó, tuvo hijos y siguió creciendo con la compañía donde trabajó por 23 años como empleada hasta que un suceso en su vida hizo que volteara hacia la Carmen empresaria.

   “Me divorcié de mi primer esposo y luego conocí en McDonalds a mi segundo esposo. Era jefe de departamento en la compañía y yo trabajaba entonces como consultora de operadores de franquicias. Fue cuando aprendí qué realmente era un operador”, afirmó.

   Embarazada de una niña y dos décadas de experiencia en la cadena restaurantera más grande del mundo, Carmen y su esposo deciden comprar en 2002 la primera franquicia de McDonald’s. 

 “En el corporativo no estaban muy contentos porque no tenían muchos latinos en rangos altos en la ciudad de Chicago; no querían que nos fuéramos, pero al final nos ayudaron y nos desearon suerte”, dijo.

   Para entonces McDonalds tenía como regla no conceder franquicias en Chicago a trabajadores de la compañía en la ciudad; así que el matrimonio abrió los primeros dos restaurantes en Milwaukee, Wisconsin. ¿El capital inicial? Sus 401K y un préstamo de la compañía.

    Y allí empezó Carmen su minicadena. Luego surgió la posibilidad de abrir uno en Chicago, y vino otro, y otro más. Hoy la pareja controla 21 restaurantes,  15 de ellos son de Carmen.

    “Cuando te conviertes en dueño es como un tren que te viene arriba, porque son muchas las cosas que no enseñan como empleado, y que tiene que aprenderlas como dueño”, asegura.

   “La gente quiere trabajar con Carmen”

     Preguntada sobre cuál ha sido el  desafío de crecer a 15 restaurantes en apenas 17 años, la empresaria reconoce que ha tenido muchos retos, pero ninguno como la búsqueda de empleados.

   “Ahora mismo para todos los negocios lo más difícil es conseguir el personal. Yo he tenido la suerte de que en Chicago la comunidad latina es grande y la gente viene y quiere trabajar para Carmen, no para Mc Donalds”. 

   La empresaria lo atribuye a su relación especial con sus empleados. “Yo hablo mucho con ellos, una relación muy estrecha, voy todos los días a tiendas diferentes, trato de conocerlos, algunos me hablan de su vida personal, y trato de ayudarlos”, afirma. Incluso, si tienen una emergencia, les doy un préstamos y me pagan poco a poco con su cheque”.

  En realidad ella ha construido una suerte de familia que es clave a la hora de lidiar con 15 restaurantes a la vez. “Tengo mucha gente que ha crecido conmigo, empezando desde abajo. Cuando les veo potencial, los mando a clases. McDonald ‘s tiene uno de los mejores cursos de negocios del mundo. Yo quería estar en televisión, no sabía nada de negocios, aprendí aquí.”

  Carmen también compartió con Negocios Now algunos consejos que daría a otras empresarias que bregan con un sinnúmero de retos.

   “Como latina y mujer, tenemos mucho que aportar en una empresa. Somos mamá y ‘corremos’ el negocio de la casa, las que vamos al supermercado con un presupuesto que gastar, las que generalmente hacemos las citas médicas de los muchachos, ayudamos con tarea. Es decir, sabemos planear y eso hace las cosas un poco más fácil”, opina.

     Y continua: “Lo otro es que como latinas protegemos a nuestros hijos, queremos que estén con nosotros en casa, creemos mucho en la vida familiar, y llevamos esas ideas a los negocios y hacemos una familia. Es lo que yo he hecho y creo que por eso me ha ido muy bien”, asegura.

 Pero ¿cuál es el límite de Carmen Solano, a dónde quieres llegar Carmen Solano?, preguntamos.

  “Es algo que siempre me preguntan. No sé, porque cuando empecé no pensaba que iba a tener 15 restaurantes. Pero soy de esas personas que piensan que si hay una oportunidad hay que tomarla”.

Por Migdalis Pérez y Redacción 

Miami – La pasión de Rafael Marrero por abrir la puerta a  empresas hispanas con contratos millonarios con el gobierno federal, recuerda  el relato del pescador que se ahogaba en alta mar y pedía ayuda a Dios.

   En medio de la tormenta, pasó por su lado un pequeño bote para asistirlo, pero el pescador no subió aduciendo que esperaba por la mano de Dios; también rechazó ayuda de un helicóptero y hasta de un buzo bajo el mismo argumento. 

   El hombre termina ahogándose y cuando llega al cielo le reclama a Dios y éste le responde:  te envié un pescador, un helicóptero y buzo, y lo rechazaste. 

  Rafael ha sido el salvador de un sinnúmero de pequeñas empresas que han conseguido jugosos contratos federales, gracias a la certificación que ha hecho mediante su compañía establecida en Miami.

  Rafael Marrero & Company  se especializa en conseguir contratos con el cliente más poderoso del mundo: el Gobierno Federal de los Estados Unidos.

A sabiendas de que existe un océano de oportunidades en las compras federales, Marrero no se cansa de hablar del tema con  otros empresarios latinos. Lo ha hecho en seminarios, conferencias empresariales, cursos de capacitación y  entrevistas en radio, medios impresos  y televisión.

   Con todo, Marrero notó en su recorrido por todo el país que muchos empresarios no son conscientes de la inmensa oportunidad que tienen por delante y fue que decidió escribir en 2018 un libro sobre el tema que tituló “La Salsa Secreta del Tío Sam”, una guía invaluable de  cómo hacer negocios en grande con el gobierno federal.

  De ascendencia gallega, hijo de cubanos y nacido en suelo estadounidense, Rafael cree firmemente que la comunidad hispana es la punta de lanza de la economía americana.

   “Cada año trabajamos en el crecimiento de nuestros clientes cómo contratistas del Gobierno y los postulamos para premios, partiendo del resultado de trabajar directamente con nosotros”, dijo.

  Negocios liderados por minorías, veteranos y mujeres reciben capacitación por parte de Marrero y su equipo, en un proceso en el que “no se trata de filosofar, sino de aprender”. 

  Por ejemplo, indica, mucha gente desconoce que el 23 por ciento de las compras del Gobierno se realizan a empresas pequeñas.

  “El Gobierno no produce nada; lo compra todo. Entonces se trata de apadrinar a los emprendedores, de enseñarles a navegar en el laberinto de la burocracia y los formularios, y de servirles de puente para que logren venderle al Gobierno”.

  Considerada por la revista Inc. como una de las 500 empresas privadas de mayor crecimiento en EE. UU., la compañía encabezada por Marrero también enseña a sus clientes a establecer confianza con los compradores [gubernamentales] a fin de que estos adquieran sus productos o servicios.

  “Todo lo que el Gobierno usa para su gestión son productos y servicios provistos por el sector privado: desde servicios de consejería y limpieza hasta la fabricación de paneles solares. Incluso, los muebles [de las entidades gubernamentales] son fabricados por clientes nuestros”.

    Marrero no se cansa de hablar de esa oportunidad con su comunidad empresarial latina. Lo ha hecho en seminarios, conferencias empresariales, cursos de capacitación y  entrevistas en radio, medios impresos  y televisión.

     Y como si todo lo anterior fuera poco,  escribió en 2018 un libro sobre el tema que tituló “La Salsa Secreta”, una guía invaluable de  cómo hacer negocios en grande con el gobierno federal.

    Marrero tiene una larga lista de empresas a las cuales ha ayudado en la autopista del crecimiento, pero le encanta mencionar a la compañía Miguel López Jr. Inc.,

   La empresa, basada en Miami,  lleva 30 años funcionando, pero luego de ser certificada y asesorada por la compañía de Marrero creció en dos años más que en toda su historia.

  “Ellos son nuestro mayor orgullo porque les hemos ayudado a crecer. Han pasado de ser una compañía de siete millones al año a 23 millones anualmente”.

    Detrás de esta celebración  están  los años de experiencia y el profesionalismo de Rafael Marrero & Company.

“Para empezar a emprender con el Gobierno, lo primero que recomiendo es tomar nuestro entrenamiento y nuestro curso de capacitación. Esos recursos de adiestramiento son determinantes para hacer una exhaustiva evaluación del estado de la empresa de cara a su incursión en el mundo federal.

  “Partiendo de eso, desarrollamos un plan de negocio y hacemos un análisis de fuerzas, oportunidades, debilidades y amenazas.   Ese proceso inicial, entre los talleres, la inscripción y el marketing, dura unos 90 días aproximadamente”.

  Según el ejecutivo, “no se puede improvisar cuando se lidia con el Gobierno Federal, que gasta 500 millones de dólares por hora”.

  El empresario revela que un aspecto clave para tener éxito en la compra al gobierno federal es conocer la mercadotecnia gubernamental es totalmente opuesta a la tradicional, pues es más rigurosa y se basa en códigos industriales, y de clasificación de productos y servicios. 

“El que no conoce ese argot, no puede degustar la salsa del tío Sam”, dijo.

By David Steinkraus

A year ago, Santiago Garcia knew he had to expand his business in order to get more work. 

He had started his first business, GSG Material Testing, in 1995 as an environmental sampling company. Later he expanded it to offer other material testing services. But his big move came a few months before the pandemic began when he finalized the purchase of HOH Group, a well-known Chicago architectural and engineering firm.

It was a big step for someone who grew up in Pilsen and Skokie. 

“When I was growing up, when we went downtown, it was like another country,” Garcia said. 

To that younger self, having an office downtown was a symbol of success. Now he has an office on LaSalle Street, a few blocks from the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, the Chicago Board of Trade, and Willis Tower, right in the heart of the city’s business center. 

He credits his parents’ advocacy of education as a key to his success. Growing up in Skokie, when it was largely Jewish, taught him how to deal with people of other views. 

“My parents showed me a lot of times you just have to work hard at it and don’t take everything as personal,” he said. 

He was the first to go to college among his cousins and brothers, and eventually earned a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in 1985. He still lives in Skokie with his wife Rosalia. One of their two sons, Gabriel, is a civil engineer who graduated in 2019, and their other son, Santiago Garcia II, is studying information technology. Garcia says his career would not have been possible without their support.

As he worked, he met Harry Hefter, who had started HOH Group in 1959. Hefter became a mentor, Garcia said, and gave him work. That relationship brought Garcia the opportunity to buy HOH. “He agreed to sell it to me because he liked me, and we worked together well,” he said.

Now, in the middle of the pandemic, business isn’t easy, but Garcia said his company is hanging in there. HOH is part of the first project management oversight contract for Metra and part of the general engineering contract for the Illinois Tollway.

What has been harmed is his ability to nurture the relationships that bring his company work. 

“I’m the type of person who will go out and meet with people, go out for lunch, and meet after work to talk business and socialize. And hopefully, they’ll provide me with some opportunities. But with the pandemic, basically, it’s just Zoom,” he said. “You’re communicating with them, but it’s not the same as when you see them one on one.” 

What he’s doing now is working as hard as possible to have work ready for the end of the pandemic. Many agencies—Illinois Tollway, Illinois Department of Transportation, Chicago Transit Authority, Metra — are looking at projects, and Garcia said he has been submitting proposals.

As a disadvantaged business enterprise and minority business enterprise, HOH could bring those qualifications to a partner who needs them for a job and needs the services HOH offers, he said. So another part of his search is looking for such partner companies. 

Another advantage is HOH itself, he said. Some companies offer only architecture or only one or two types of engineering services, but because HOH offers everything, Garcia said, he has more ways to attract clients. Right now he has about 30 employees. In the next five years, he hopes to increase that to about 100. 

“Only in Illinois, with a governor like Pritzker and a mayor like Lori Lightfoot, could a minority-owned business acquire a 60-year-old, majority-owned company and think they have a chance of succeeding,” he said. “I think I have a chance.”

Por Ricardo Sánchez Silva, @RicardoLoDice

NAHP Media Correspondent

  David Valdés, un joven de 22 años de edad, descendiente de padres mexicanos, desde niño veía con entusiasmo y admiración las turbinas de viento en su natal Texas cuando lo llevaban en auto a través de los enormes campos donde se encontraban estos artefactos.

  Esa fascinación por la generación de energía, lo llevaría luego a pensar en otros aspectos que vincularía con su preocupación por el medio ambiente y los mismos fenómenos naturales que tuvo que vivir en su ciudad, Galveston, para terminar tomando conciencia de que quería estar en un lugar donde se propiciaran políticas energéticas que pudieran hacer la diferencia. 

  Hoy en día es ingeniero químico, recién egresado en medio de la pandemia del COVID-19, de la universidad de Columbia en Nueva York y cuenta con la oportunidad de ser becario de política pública en el Instituto Americano de Petróleo (API, por su siglas en inglés) hasta el mes de diciembre, para luego pasar por alguna de las Cámaras del Congreso, como parte del programa “Public Policy Fellow” del Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI). 

  “He vivido experiencias en el Golfo, más recientemente el huracán Harvey, que pegó muchísimo en Houston. Fue uno de los peores huracanes, después de Katrina. En California hay incendios, también en diferentes partes del mundo los inviernos son extremadamente fríos. Lo importante es que con tanto cambio que vamos a estar viendo durante los próximos 10, 15, 20 o 100 años, quién sabe, habrá una necesidad de bajar las emisiones de carbón”.

Diversidad e inclusión

  En la actualidad, la industria de la energía busca ampliar su diversidad e incluir a minorías como afroamericanos y latinos. Precisamente para brindar información y perspectivas sobre el papel de este sector en estas comunidades surgió el Centro Comunitario de Energía (CEC, por su siglas en inglés), que proporciona un foro para elevar la conciencia, la comprensión y las discusiones sobre la importancia del sector para la vida cotidiana. 

  Así pues, la proyección que hace la industria en cuanto a la contratación de estas minorías étnicas y raciales es positiva. De esta manera, jóvenes como David podrán contar con mayores oportunidades. “Los programas de políticas públicas y becas para graduados del CHCI Public Policy and Graduate Fellowship Programs brindan una experiencia de liderazgo sin igual para los líderes emergentes más brillantes e innovadores de nuestra comunidad.

A través de nuestro programa, se adquiere un conocimiento profundo sobre temas e industrias de gran relevancia, como la energía. Esto, combinado con la inducción a una red increíble de pares y líderes establecidos, les da a los becarios del CHCI un impulso en sus carreras para hacer avanzar a la comunidad latina y fortalecer la nación”, aseguró Marco Davis, presidente y CEO del CHCI.

  A juicio de Valdés es importante la diversidad en esta y cualquier industria, para que existan minorías representadas en las decisiones que también impactan a esas poblaciones. Asegura que la única forma de pensar desde la perspectiva de las minorías es que ellas formen parte de las decisiones y que se involucren en las mismas. 

  “Sin el programa de ciencia, no habría tenido la oportunidad de saber cómo es que se mueve la política energética desde la organización que se encarga del petróleo americano y es una perspectiva que yo aprecio mucho, porque no tenía tanto conocimiento”, comentó. 

Oportunidades para las minorías

  De acuerdo a un análisis de API basado en el reporte de IHS Global Insight, el petróleo y el gas natural seguirán siendo la principal fuente de combustible por décadas por venir mientras que otras formas de energía se hacen comercialmente viables.

  Según el documento, habrá un aumento en la capacidad de exportación y la generación de más de 800 mil empleos en la industria para el año 2030, bajo políticas de desarrollo energética. De los nuevos puestos de trabajo generados para 2030, más de 285 mil (35%) podrían ser ocupados por afroamericanos y latinos.

  “La industria de la energía ha demostrado ser un catalizador de la actividad económica y ha apoyado durante mucho tiempo a los miembros de nuestras comunidades”, dijo el Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., presidente y director ejecutivo de la Asociación Nacional de Editores de Periódicos (NNPA) en el marco del esfuerzo conjunto a la Asociación Nacional de Medios de Publicaciones Hispanas LLC (NAHP Media), para el lanzamiento del Centro Comunitario de Energía.

  El directivo fue respaldado por Ricardo Hurtado, presidente de medios de NAHP Media, quien apuntó hacia el rol crucial de esta nueva organización en “el camino a la creación de nuevas carreras y oportunidades de desarrollo profesional” para las minorías, tal como es el caso de Valdés, quien logró culminar su licenciatura (Bachelor’s Degree) con becas y mucho esfuerzo de su familia.

  El joven aspira seguir formándose, por lo que está en proceso de postulación para una maestría en ingeniería química y sostenibilidad ambiental, para luego ir con fuerza por un doctorado en políticas públicas. Esas son sus metas, dentro de las cuales no descarta tocar la puerta en API nuevamente, una vez finalice su educación.

Optimismo

  Sobre el futuro de la industria en términos de diversidad y sostenibilidad, David es muy optimista. “Diría que veo una transición de los combustibles hacia la energía renovable. Por parte de la industria petrolera veo un futuro más diverso en cuanto género, raza y color”. 

  En su paso por API, le queda mucho aprendizaje, tal como la satisfacción en cuanto al trabajo que realizó en programas de la institución, tanto en inglés como en español, enfocado a guiar estudiantes de secundarias y a sus padres en áreas vinculadas con STEM y opciones de estudio universitario. 

  Este empoderamiento de las minorías, así como la toma de conciencia sobre el medio ambiente y hacer asequible la energía en las comunidades minoritarias constituyen prioridades que se impulsan desde el CEC.

Para conocer más sobre la labor del el Centro Comunitario de Energía y recibir información de su labor visita www.communityenergycenter.org. También puedes enterarte de más  detalles sobre los programas de beca y liderazgo que ofrece el CHCI, que tienen fecha límite de postulación el 15 de enero, a través de https://chci.org/programs/public-policy-fellowship-program/. 

 

By Rita Negrete Rousseau

  For Carolyn Caballero, joining HACIA and obtaining certification of her company as a minority- and woman-owned business enterprise was a way to make her mark—literally—on a whole new field of business and set of customers.

  Ever since she departed her 9-to-5 web developer job at Northwestern University to found Bella Dia Designs, Caballero has been leaving her imprint as a business-to-business web designer and graphic artist. For years, she worked primarily with marketing consultants and event planners nationwide. “But I missed face-to-face interactions,” she says. “I wanted to build a more local client base. So I decided to get into the construction arena.” 

  Although dealing with architects and companies in the building trades was new to her, it was a logical fit, she says. “Every business, no matter the industry, needs branding and marketing services,” Caballero points out. “I create a unified package—a website, business cards, logos, marketing collateral, capability statements.” 

   HACIA was first a customer of Caballero’s company. Then, she got involved as a member, took classes, joined the board of directors, and, with the help of a fellow board member, completed the painstaking process of applying for certification in Chicago as a minority-owned and woman-owned business enterprise (in government parlance, MBE and WBE, sometimes shortened to MWBE for companies that meet both requirements). 

  

 Acquiring these credentials was “just a terrific asset to my business,” she says. “It adds credibility, sets my creative professional services apart.” Being MBE- and WBE-certified helped her bid on and win contracts for marketing services from agencies like the Chicago Housing Authority, PACE transit system and Illinois Tollway. One current project: signage and marketing graphics for a brand-new environmental laboratory at Illinois State University in Bloomington-Normal.

   But just as critical to Caballero are the opportunities to network.    

  “Becoming certified has given me exclusive access to databases of suppliers, peers and experts,” she says. “A lot of government agencies offer training and networking opportunities, and that gives me opportunities to meet prime contractors and top purchasing agents in construction.” Certification has “opened doors,” she adds, not only to large government agencies, but also to large private companies that have their own supplier diversity goals.

   Now, she says, “I get to meet so many contractors, architects, engineers and financial people. I’ve been doing more signage, bidding different types of jobs, learning about different opportunities. It’s been really interesting.” 

Por Esteban Montero.

Edith de la Cruz ya había olvidado que en 2019 había sometido una solicitud al estado de Illinois para recibir una subvención de medio millón de dólares hasta que una llamada la tomó por sorpresa.

“Nunca olvidaré ese día. Me puse muy contenta, porque muchos debieron haber solicitado ese grant (subvención), afirmó.

Pero detrás de la subvención dada por el Departamento de Economía y Comercio de Illinois a Antigua Construction hay un sacrificio con letras mayúsculas de una mujer que el destino la empujó a dejar su carrera de maestra para convertirse en una empresaria de la construcción.

Graduada de psicología y sociología de National Louis University, Edith se vio de pronto sin suficientes recursos para atender a sus tres hijos y decidió sumergirse en una de las ramas empresariales más rudas para una mujer sin dejar de ser maestra.

Lo primero que hizo fue educarse en la escuela de construcción de la compañía Turner, Edith empezó a trabajar en la industria; luego comenzó a edificar su futuro en la rama comprando dos viejas que remodeló y vendió.

Con seis años de experiencia en la industria, fundó entonces Antigua en abril de 2005. Y lo hizo un poco por pragmatismo y otro para demostrar que las mujeres también pueden salir adelante con una empresa de construcción.

“Desde entonces para acá me he enfrentado a obstáculos increíbles.

La falta de respeto era muy grande; solo por ser una mujer dueña de una empresa de construcción. Me dije: voy a abrir mi compañía y voy a enseñar cómo se hace”, recordó.

Y esta mujer que emigró de su natal Guatemala tiene bastante para hablar de obstáculos en su vida de empresaria.

“Han sido demasiados, como mujer latina no te toman en serio, se burlan, se ríen, te menosprecian. El sindicato fue también un escollo, cuando conseguí un contrato donde ellos pensaron no debía estar, enfrenté acoso incluso amenazas”, dijo.

Pero Edith de la Cruz es de esas personas que creen febrilmente en que con un poquito de fe, se pueden mover montañas.
Por eso solicitó el grant, orientado a la compra de maquinarias y edificios.

“Tener mi propio edificio, donde pueda reunir a mis empleados, ha sido uno de mis sueños. Di las gracias, de verdad, por esta subvención porque para mí es una gran oportunidad para yo poder tener mis oficinas, la sede de Antigua y tener un lugar estable, seguro”, señaló.

Y para todos aquellos que han pedido subvenciones y no corrieron igual suerte; a aquellos empresarios que lo intentarán en un futuro, Edith tiene un consejo:“Tengan todos los documentos en orden”.

“Cuando la oportunidad se presenta este listo para tomarla, o pudieras perder. Tu compañía tiene que estar en orden, porque en el tiempo que preparas los papeles, se acabó la oportunidad.

Exactamente, yo a veces te voy a ser honesta. A veces no tenía para comer pero tenía para pagar las aseguranzas que me piden para tener lista para cuando la oportunidad se presenta tienes que estar listo. Porque las oportunidades llegan y si no estas listo se pasan. No importa que tan pequeña sea la empresa, tienes que tener tus papeles en orden y estar preparado para cuando la oportunidad se presente y no tener miedo de aplicar o tomar las oportunidades que se están presentando.

 

Arthur Zayas Miller is President and CEO of MZI Group, Inc., which he founded in 1999.  MZI Group, Inc. is a Latino and Veteran owned Electrical Construction Company specializing in power and utility.  Before Mr. Miller started his own electrical business, he worked for F500 Corporations for over ten years as an Operations Manager.

 Additionally, Mr. Miller served in the United States Army. He is actively involved with United States Army Veteran Organizations such as Helmet to Hardhats and Wounded Warrior Program.  He also shares his time as a distinguished board member of the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, National Latino Education Institute, and Loyola University Medical Center. Arthur is also involved in many philanthropic endeavors such as Cystic Fibrosis and Juvenile Diabetes, The Foundation for Prader Willi, and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Arthur works at connecting communities he does work in and provides mentorships to small businesses.  Arthur is a dedicated Husband and Father. ”

Arthur is the Negocios Now Business of the Year Award-2020

Entity:  WGN Morning News Around Town

Website:  www.WGNTV.com

Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Belaval is one of the few reporters who has successfully crossed over to English speaking news after nine years at Univision. For the last 10 years she has been in charge of the Around Town segment for WGN Morning News, where she covers a variety of events, businesses and happenings in the Chicagoland area. She has won three local Emmy awards while at WGN TV. Beyond her work with the morning news, she substitutes anchors for CLTV and contributes to the community affairs show “Adelante Chicago.”

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 Chicago Tribune, Daily Herald, Huffington Post, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, CBS Chicago, ABC 7 Chicago, ABC News, CNBC, Fox Business and the Fox News Channel.

From 2007 to 2010, Vargas served as a civilian within the Office of the Secretary of Defense on a special Iraq task force. The task force specialized in rebuilding Iraq’s and Afghanistan’s war-torn economies by attracting foreign direct investment opportunities and helping to facilitate public-private partnerships to create jobs and drive down the high unemployment associated with terrorist-related activities.

In 2009 he was awarded the Secretary of Defense Global War on Terrorism Civilian Service Medal. His civilian service at the Defense Department included 14 trips to Baghdad spanning two administrations.

Vargas is a regular panelist and guest speaker on issues related to entrepreneurship, technology and innovation, political affairs, media strategy and foreign policy. Vargas is a contributor for the Washington Examiner and Newsmax.

In March 2019, Judson University’s World Leaders Forum announced, “Conversations with Mark Vargas,” a highly influential speakers’ series where Vargas invites some of the most recognizable names in business and politics to join him for an informal, one-on-one conversation covering a wide range of topics. His inaugural guest launching his new speaker series was billionaire entrepreneur and Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban. Vargas earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Judson University where he served as student body president.

 

“Mentors provide invaluable advice, but if you want to boost your career, find your sticks of dynamite which will blow down doors and create instant opportunities for you.” –Mark Vargas

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 her leadership, the company helped friends and family contribute nearly $160M to loved ones in need.

After graduating from Yale University, she worked at the Kauffman Foundation as a specialist in entrepreneurship and at Arabella Philanthropic Investment Advisors.

Most recently, she taught New Venture Discovery at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management.  She has been named to Inc’s 30 Under 30, Crain’s 40 Under 40, one of Parents Magazine’s Most Inspiring Moms, a Forbes Woman to Watch, and she has appeared on Shark Tank, closing one of the largest deals on the show to date.

When not working, she enjoys spending time with her two young sons, stepdaughter, and crime-fighting husband.

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 partners, members, and community leaders.

Treviño has had multifaceted roles with the IHCC in the last decade, from creating strategic events where she provides unique opportunities for the community to come together to build and foster relationships, to facilitating the IHCC + 1871 Latinx Incubator, working tech startups.

She has led the IHCC team in executing one of the largest gatherings of Hispanic business leaders in the Midwest, the Make the Connection!® IHCC Business Conference. Featured speakers have included former President Barack Obama, current Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and U.S. Sen. Richard Durbin along with Nely Galan, founder of the Adelante Movement and Jahmal Cole, founder of My Block, My Hood, My City.

Treviño has a passion for economic development and supporting small businesses. A recent highlight was the first IHCC Women’s CEO Roundtable which convened 35 women CEOs and created a space to share challenges, opportunities and offer resources and support.

She received her Bachelor of Science in Business Management with a minor in Public Policy from National Louis University. She is an alumna with Mujeres de HACE and a current fellow for the class of 2020 Chicago Latino Caucus Foundation, Leadership Academy.

She currently resides on the Southwest side with her husband and children where they remain very active in sports like baseball, basketball and rugby.

“Lead with integrity and purpose for when you follow your passion it results in profound impact, empowers and breaks barriers”.

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 alumna of the The Miracle Center (TMC),Torres personally experienced the impact it can have on the lives of young people. Well before TMC though, she developed a love of the performing arts that began when her parents signed her up for dance classes at the age of 4. While the choice was made in part to give their daughter an outlet for her hyperactivity, her parents unknowingly gave her a treasure map that led her to discover her passion.

In addition to her early love for dancing, her participation in TMC programming starting at the age of 10 broadened her views and gave her opportunities to perform in music and theater. Her desire to use the arts as a tool for changing lives based on her own background inspired her to learn and apply frameworks for cross-cultural engagement through the arts.

A graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a Bachelors in Political Science, the 1st-generation Boricua brings extensive experience in the performing arts and public relations sector.

Her passion comes from TMC, which inspired and empowered her to pursue an internship at the Center for Portuguese Language and Brazilian Cultural Studies. Her experience also extends to program management and media relations through employment with leading advertising agency FCB Global, where she served as a social media strategist and community manager. She serves as a “Power House Millennial” Theater Producer, where she is responsible for the managerial functions of the production venue, helping with financial backing, and hiring personnel for the creative production team.

 

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 Pritzker’s first year in office as a member of his policy team. In 2019, he helped lead the development, negotiation, and passage of the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act– the most equity-centric adult-use cannabis initiative in the nation. Torres also worked on other major priorities of the administration including the legalization of sports wagering, the state’s investment in Census outreach, education policy, and immigrant integration.

 

Prior to joining the administration, Torres served as Deputy Policy Director in the Governor’s campaign for office. He helped shape the Governor’s platform for education, immigrant integration, criminal justice reform, LGBTQ policy, and other issues affecting residents throughout the state.

 

Before joining the campaign, Torres was the Associate Director of the Latino Policy Forum. In that role, he guided the organization’s legislative agenda and administrative advocacy. In carrying out his responsibilities, Torres regularly convened Latino-led nonprofit service providers, civic leaders, and other stakeholders to develop and promote a common policy agenda that emphasized responsive governance, equity of opportunity and investment, and inclusive decision-making.

 

Torres holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a M.P.P. from the Irving B. Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago.  He lives in Oak Park with his wife, two children, and two dogs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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 a support system, to empower and mentor the Latina woman’s mental and emotional needs. As a daughter of immigrants, Taylor witnessed her family’s urgency to seek opportunities to move the family forward.

Alongside her social impact endeavors, Taylor is currently contracted through the Office of Refugee Resettlement, as a case coordinator for General Dynamics Information Technology, (GDIT) in direct services for unaccompanied minors who migrate to the U.S.

She has served as a Child Protection Investigator for the State of Illinois, therapist for adopted minors within Illinois’s child welfare system, co-facilitator for sex-offender support groups, and in previous years of service Taylor has worked for the Illinois Department of Human Services, providing public assistance and crisis intervention for Latino families.

As a wife and mother, Taylor balances her spare time with family while volunteering at various organizations throughout Chicago. As a certified Domestic Violence Awareness interventionist, she provides domestic violence education to small groups and served as a crisis-hotline volunteer for Mujeres Latinas En Acción, a domestic violence agency. She also volunteers as a therapist at Healthy Hood Chicago, for their Get Your Mind Right mental health initiative. Additionally, Taylor is an active member of Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority and the Chicago Metropolitan Alumni Association and is an auxiliary board member for HACE, Young Professional Board, Chicago.

 

“I’ve acknowledged my experiences have placed a responsibility for me to advocate and empower the community with best strategies to live out their worst days. I call it a survivor’s mandate. Your story is a healing agent.” -Sarah Taylor

 

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 the Digital Engagement Supervisor role where she supported the implementation and deployment of the digital restaurant employee engagement platform for the US.  Currently, Sanchez is the Global People Strategy and Alignment Manager, leading the alignment of initiatives through function-wide communication and engagement across the globe. She has also played a crucial role in the creation of the Global People Project Management Office, instilling discipline and building project management capabilities.

Sanchez has been recognized with accolades for outstanding achievements both for her operational excellence and leadership, including: People Award, Most Improved QSC Operations Award, the Outstanding Assistant Award and the Circle of Excellence Award. She also is the recipient of the President’s Award, McDonald’s most prestigious award recognizing the top 1% of employees.

She serves on the HQ agility board for the Hispanic Employee Business Network where she leads community engagement initiatives. She supports the McDonald’s Youth Opportunity program in numerous volunteering events throughout the year. She uses her experience in the restaurants and at McDonald’s HQ to serve as a mentor to McDonald’s restaurant employees and staff.

Sanchez is passionate about giving back and helping others rise as others have helped her. She has a Bachelor of Science from Lewis University and is currently pursuing her MBA in Business Administration from DePaul University.

She loves to travel and spend time with her husband and two children, Amaya and Roy.

 

“Excellence is never an accident. It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives – choice, not chance, determines your destiny.” — Aristotle

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 high quality culturally relevant and socially just opportunities where students can self-actualize as powerful human beings.

He is part of the Acero School Network serving as principal of Torres Elementary in Chicago’s Archer Heights’ neighborhood. Prior to his current role, he served in Chicago Public Schools since 2003 as a high school English teacher, teacher leader, and assistant principal.

His professional competencies have been demonstrated by his passion in Ethnic Studies. He maintains that Ethnic Studies is a way of life – it is love, it is liberation, it is empowerment through the unveiling of the covert oppression used in traditional K-12 spaces to stifle the innate power of students of color and other marginalized groups. Ethnic Studies is a pathway to consciousness that restores the past, heals the present, and builds the future.

In addition to being a highly accomplished educator, he is a 2019 Chicago Surge Fellow – The Emergents, Golden Apple Scholar, Golden Apple Teacher of Distinction. Most recently, he was named a 2020 Multicultural Leadership Fellow sponsored by the Latino Policy Forum.

“To joyfully evolve in mind, heart, and spirit, surround yourself with gente that unapologetically allow you to claim your cultural core. Let THAT ignite your passion to take charge, speak out, and intentionally transform systems that have been historically oppressive.”

 

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, with a Bachelor of Science in Business – majoring in management he began his career with JPMorgan Chase Bank, where he managed several branches throughout the city for nearly a decade.

Rodarte then switched to Wintrust Bank where he helped lead its Chicago urban expansion, successfully opening branches in Pilsen and Little Village and was recently promoted to regional director. Rodarte knows the importance of community banking and Wintrust Bank’s goal to be Chicago’s Bank. He currently proudly serves on the board of directors for Esperanza Health Centers and previously served on the Associate Board of the National Museum of Mexican Art and the Gala Committee for Gads Hill Center.

As a proud Latino leader, he believes there is an obligation to the people that he serves and believes he and others should give back to support the community. He believes his generation has a responsibility to exceed America’s expectations of them and must work harder and smarter than anyone to continue to build the foundation started by the previous generation and set up the next generation to be even more successful than parents dreamed.

“Estoy muy orgulloso de ser Latino. Orgulloso de mi origen Mexicano. Felicidades a todos por su éxito. Les deseo una carrera con mucha prosperidad, pero sobre todo los invito que continuamos apoyándonos para seguir poniendo en alto a nuestra tierra.”

Tony Reyes

Age: 33

Title: Managing Partner

Name of Organization: Walton Contractors

 

 

Tony Reyes is a US Marine Corps. veteran and entrepreneur who is the Managing Partner of Walton Contractors, a construction company that focuses on roofing and value-add real estate development.

Through Reyes’ Leadership, Walton Contractors has been awarded three Inc, 5,000 awards, two remodelers 550 awards, one TOP50 veteran entrepreneurs and one SBA rising star business awards.

His commitment to Walton goes beyond business. Reyes serves on four executive boards, that have one thing in common: focusing on Latino advancement.

Tony Reyes credits his success, first to God and secondly to his family and friends who have been his support system that have helped Walton Contractors thrive.

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

Ricardo Regalado

Age:37

Title: CEO/Founder

Name of Organization: Rozalado Services

 

Ricky Regalado who considers himself a serial entrepreneur, is the proud owner of Rozalado Services, a true family business to the core. Even the name of his growing company is derived from his cousin Tony Pedroza’s last name and his own. He started the business in 2012 with his wife Marley and his cousin Tony.

Since opening, the company has grown to employ 15 family members and 300 employees in 12 states. During that time, the company has grown from simply a cleaning company to a full-service provider for large clients including Oak Street Health, Amazon, Cushman Wakefield, Foxtrot, LG Construction and many others. The goal has been to bring an innovative and hospitality service approach to the cleaning industry.

The company was recently ranked No. 1,496 on the INC 5,000 list, growing by 276% in three years. Regalado looks at his company and team as a solution for their client’s needs. As a result, they have launched a new division, Roza Contractors, to specialize in day-to-day maintenance and contracting projects for clients.

He also runs a tech startup, Route. It’s a sales platform for the commercial cleaning industry that came to be after Regalado was frustrated by the lack of technology in the sales’ front end of the business. Route is designed as the first market digital walk-through, estimator and proposal generating tool. The goal is to empower the cleaning industry with tools and solutions to grow and operate efficiently.

Personal quote – Entrepreneurship is not easy, with success comes hard times, but in the end the ability to create jobs, positively impact people’s lives is all worth it. Empowerment and motivation are my drivers.

 

Nancy Razón

Age: 38

Title: Educator, Founder Youth Movement, Co-Author

Name of Organization: Youth Movement

Nancy Razón received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in education from Northern Illinois University, and began her career as a bilingual teacher for her home town’s Belvidere School District, where she has taken an active role in improving the educational resources available to students in both elementary and secondary schools.

Her bi-cultural background, connection to the community, and expertise in language, coupled with her keen knowledge of Latino needs within her community led her to act and serve as a liaison for public informational sessions with her local mayor’s office, as well as police and fire departments.

The philosophies Razón learned in education along with her life experiences inspired her to start the first and only leadership youth group to serve Belvidere’s middle and high school Latino students. This program works to help students discover their strengths, unveil their full potential and achieve their individual educational goals and learning leadership skills.

She has served as president and secretary of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) of Belvidere, president of the District 100 Bilingual Parent Advisory Council (BPAC), served on the board of the Ida Public Library and the YWCA of Northwestern Illinois.  She currently serves as secretary for her son’s Cub Scouts organization and is a proud graduate of Latinas on the Plaza – Leadership Mastery Institute.

As a leader, Nancy sets the leadership bar high for herself and she doesn’t just preach leadership – she works hard to live it and teach others to do the same.

Always shine bright, never let anyone dull your sparkle! -Author Unknown

Julio Noel Rausseo

Age: 30

Title: Broadcast Journalist

Name of Organization: Chicago Windy City Bulls

 

Julio Noel Rausseo has been the voice of the Chicago Windy City Bulls since 2016, announcing basketball play-by-play for the Chicago Bulls’ development team on NBC Sports Chicago. He is also a play-by-play announcer for Chicago State University’s (CSU) Women’s Soccer, Volleyball, and Women’s basketball teams.

He also launched the Chicago State Sports Network, CSU’s digital home for sports broadcast. Rausseo is also the regional station director at the Illinois Media School, mentoring students involved in the school’s radio stations and fostering new relationships with organizations where students have direct involvement.

A versatile Puerto Rican and Venezuelan broadcast journalist, Rausseo launched his career as Sports Director of the Wind River Radio Network. Rausseo successfully managed the station’s first county-wide coverage of postseason high school basketball, broadcasting over 60 games across five stations.

In 2018, he was recognized as the Best Sports play-by-play Men’s Basketball by the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System and in 2015 for the Small Market Sports Station of the Year by Wyoming Association of Broadcasting. Rausseo has also reported on the 2013 Gold Cup, was play-by-play announcer for the Chicago Slaughter and covered radio and TV NCAA events for Men’s Basketball and Football, and Women’s Softball for the WIU Leathernecks and University of Wyoming athletics. His portfolio includes coverage of the NBA Basketball Without Borders Global Games as part of the 2020 NBA All-star weekend in Chicago, the 2016 Illinois Presidential Primary, coverage of the Illinois General Assembly, state politics in Wyoming, the 2012 Presidential Campaign, and the NATO Summit.

Rausseo studied broadcasting and sociology at Western Illinois University. He credits his Latino heritage for his strong work ethic and is enthusiastic to highlight the success of Latinos in news and sports media.

“Breathe easy, think slowly, dream focused.”

Daniel Ramos

Age: 37

Title: VP of Operations

Name of Organization: Monterrey Security

 

Daniel Ramos serves as vice president of operations where he oversees the 24 hour and event security divisions of the company, encompassing more than 170 facilities and 18 public venues.

With over $40M in annual revenue and 4,500 employees, of which 73%+ are minorities or women, and more than 450 off-duty law enforcement personnel- Monterrey Security is one of the largest minority-owned security firms in the country.

Over its 20-year history, Monterrey Security has developed customized protection and security programs for a diverse list of organizations including professional sports franchises, financial institutions, corporations, universities and cultural institutions. Monterrey Security is also directly responsible for securing some of the largest public assembly facilities and special events in Chicago and throughout the Midwest.

Ramos has been instrumental in building and implementing systems to streamline the firm’s security services while also incorporating modern technology into their day-to-day operations. Today Ramos is responsible for managing client relations, contract deliverables, workforce management and quality control programs.

He also works closely with the company’s Human Resources department to oversee their community-based hiring initiatives and extending career path opportunities in security and law enforcement to some of the most underserved communities in the Chicagoland area.

“Security is always seen as too much, until the day it is not enough”-  William H. Webster

 

 

 

Jacqueline Quinonez-Nunez

Age: 37

Title: Director Internal Audit

Name of Organization: Health Care Service Corporation/ Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois

 

Jacqueline Quinonez-Nunez is a director in the Internal Audit Department at Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC). She is responsible for directing a comprehensive strategic program providing assurance and auditing services to Management.  Prior to HCSC, she worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in the Audit and Assurance practice.

Growing up in Pilsen, most people she knew – including her parents – didn’t go to college.  She knew deep inside this cycle needed to end.

She earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a concentration in accounting and finance from Robert Morris University and a College Planning Consultant Certification from the Heartland Institute of Financial Education.

As a first-generation college student, she has used her financial knowledge and resources to empower women to be financially independent, as she believes that the following encompasses all independent women.

Quinonez-Nunez has been an active business resource group member (BRG) for several years at HCSC and joined the Latinos for Advancement BRG as chair of the Career Committee.  She is a member of the Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement (HACE), and auxiliary board director for Mujeres de HACE focusing on promoting, fundraising, and engaging alumnae across the country.

In 2018, she received the Robert Morris University Distinguished Alumni award.

She is a servant leader of the community and an advocate of Women Empowerment with 18 years of experience in her field.

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” John Quincy Adams

 

Manuel Perez

Age: 30

Title: Managing Deputy Director

Name of Organization: City of Chicago

Manuel Pérez recently served as Campaign Manager for the Lori Lightfoot campaign for Mayor. He helped catapult Lightfoot to victory and helped her make history as the city’s first openly gay mayor and only second female. She also was only the second African American to be elected mayor.

Pérez has led a variety of campaigns at the local, state, and federal level, including working on the campaign of Jesús “Chuy” García who in 2018 successfully won a seat in the U.S. Congress.

During his role in Cook County government, Pérez served as special assistant to the president of the county board, chief of staff to the county clerk, and chief of staff to Garcia who was then a Cook County Commissioner.

Born in Chicago to Mexican immigrants, Pérez grew up in West Suburban Cicero, Illinois. He graduated from Princeton University with a bachelor’s degree in history and resides in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago.

Ricardo Perez

Age: 28

Title: Owner

Name of Organization: The Dapper Club

Ricardo Perez passion for luxury clothing began early when he was influenced by the style of The Rat Pack era — renowned for luxurious lifestyles, sharp suits, and debonair personalities — which he began to apply to his own life.

Perez joined the Marine Corps where he specialized in creating small explosives. In the military the attention to detail and polished uniforms further influenced his approach to style and tailoring. After the Marines, he began a sales career and worked in banking and telecommunications. His knowledge and love for clothing grew as he began to offer styling advice to close friends and family in selecting their wardrobe and tailoring.

Frustrated with the lack of control in ready to wear and limited styling options, The Dapper Club came to fruition in 2014. His goals were to provide a quality, perfectly fitted garment in a stress-free experience. He created a club where clients don’t feel pressured, feel like family and show the potential of what custom luxury can provide.

The Dapper Club has since grown to be one of the top custom clothing companies in Chicago with clients all over the United States. He’s an active supporter of many community causes including earthquake relief in Mexico, A Night for the Kids, a charity assisting underprivileged children receive toys during the holidays. He and his partner Miriam, who serves as director of operations and Womenswear Designer at the Dapper Club, have two daughters Aly and Zoe and a Husky, Drago.

“You can fall five times, 10 times, or 100 times. What matters most is that you get back every time as a wiser, better and stronger you.” – Ricardo Perez

 

Jesus Ernesto Peña

Age:36

Title: Market Manager

Name of Organization: 

Delta Air Lines and Aeroméxico

 

 Latinos 40 under 40

Jesús Ernesto Peña believes his main role is in making dreams come true. As a native of Mexico, Peña is passionate about serving the Hispanic community, particularly when it comes to the complex topic of immigration.

A graduate of the University of Houston, Peña started his professional career at Lopez Negrete Communications which claims to be the nation’s largest independent, Hispanic-owned and operated full-service advertising and marketing services agency.

He further developed his career at Univision Communications, the leading Hispanic media company in the nation, where he believes life guided him to find ways to give back to the community.

In 2017 Peña established the Dreamer Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides assistance to Dreamers. Dreamers are the children of immigrants who were brought to the US when they were very young. They qualify for a work permit under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) executive order, which President Barack Obama issued in June, 2012.

Currently Peña resides in Chicago where he works for Delta Air Lines and Aeroméxico. The two carriers operate the largest transborder airline alliance between Mexico and the United States. His leadership skills and international expertise are helping to steer the U.S Hispanic market to new levels of growth, while he continues to give back to the Dreamers.

“They call us Dreamers, but we are the ones who don’t sleep.”

 

Irma Amparo Ortiz

Age:38

Title: Director- Title V Individual Development

Name of Organization: Northeastern Illinois University

 

 

Irma Amparo Ortiz has dedicated her professional career to serving youth in high school and college.

 

Irma Amparo Ortiz was born and raised in Chicago and began serving youth as a student employee at Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU) in 2002 through a federally funded grant program, GEAR UP, that focuses on college access for Chicago Public School students. After graduating from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), she began to work full-time as a NEIU GEAR UP Student Services Coordinator at Foreman High School.

She eventually led GEAR UP teams at Clemente, Roosevelt and Amundsen high schools and partnered with school-based administrators and counselors to increase college enrollment at several neighborhood Chicago high schools. She was promoted to lead the inaugural GEAR UP College Transition team in 2018, supporting more than 5,000 Latinx and African-American students, many of whom were first-generation, first-year students.

Ortiz is the director of NEIU’s Title V Individual Development grant—managing a $2.6 million budget—intended to increase retention at the university. She collaborates with faculty and staff across campus to develop programming and provide insight to the university’s student success and retention team.

Additionally, Oritz serves as the national president for Gamma Phi Omega International Sorority, Inc., a Latina-oriented sisterhood, founded in 1991. She has served since 2016, leading the board of directors to manage the operational aspects and strategic planning for the sorority’s 33 undergraduate and alumnae chapters in Illinois, Indiana, Texas, Kansas, Michigan and Ohio.

Ortiz is a doctoral student at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign focusing on Education Policy, Organization and Leadership. She lives in Chicago with her husband and three children.

“The education field is constantly evolving and can feel hectic. If you prioritize students’ needs and advocate for them, the outcomes will be worth every second”.

 

Juan F. Ortiz

 

Age: 38

Title: Senior Vice President-Banking Services- Wealth management

Name of Organization: Northern Trust Corporation

 

 

Juan F. Ortiz brings to his current role more than 15 years of experience in the banking industry. This experience includes commercial lending, business banking and retail branch management.

In his role as the Manager of Banking Services, he manages a centralized banking team for loans and deposits across the country. He sets the tone for the client service culture, growth opportunities and expectations around servicing our clients.

Prior to joining Northern Trust in 2015, Juan held roles in business banking and business development at Wintrust Bank and as a branch manager with U.S. Bank/Park National Bank.

Ortiz earned his bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and earned his master’s in business administration with a concentration in finance from National Louis University.

In addition to his role as senior vice president in Wealth Management Banking Services, Ortiz is president of the Latin Heritage Leadership Business Resource at the Northern Trust. He also sits on Northern Trust’s Business Resource Advisory Council and is co-chair of Northern Trust’s United Way Leadership Committee.

During his career, Ortiz has developed an expertise in relationship management, which includes handling and expanding relationships with clients and employees. His experience in lending includes commercial real estate, C&I, SBA and investment secured lending. He also has a strong retail banking, community development and CRA background.

 

In addition to Ortiz’ professional background he is committed to community involvement and volunteers at the Casa Catalina and Catholic Charities food pantries, serves as a coach for the Oak Park girls Youth Softball league, and previously served on the school board for the St. John Berchman school and was on the loan committees for the Women’s Business Development Center and Accion Chicago.

 

 

“Don’t settle on the status quo or get complacent. If you’ve accomplished your goal, start a new one. Coach, mentor and pay it forward.”

Blad Moreno

Age: 39

Title: Sketch Writer, Improvisational actor/director, technology Consultant.

Name of Organization: Beyond the Language

 

Blad Moreno was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela and for the first half of his career he was dedicated to academic music. Later on his interest to create and promote traditional Venezuelan music led him to be co-founder of the music ensembles, “3 y Cuatro” and “Buena Gente,” a fusion of Jazz, Gospel and Venezuelan traditional music.

Moreno is a member of the Latin Recording Academy and is a voting member of the Latin Grammy awards.

He began his journey on the stage as an actor in 2009 after receiving training with the Experimental Theater Workshop Professional Academy. He became a main player of the Venezuelan Improv League and in 2011, studying with the International Diploma of Improvisational Theater at El Bosque University in Bogotá, Colombia. When he returned to Venezuela, he became an Improvisational Theater advocate. He trained hundreds of performers in this technique, resulting in the creation of improv companies throughout Venezuela.

His reputation with unscripted theater in his native country led to Moreno being awarded a scholarship to study at the Second City Training Center in Chicago in 2014. He was granted his “Green Card” after gaining the status of Extraordinary Ability Individual, to continue his career as an actor, improviser and improv teacher. He tours the US with his bilingual duo Improñol and is a founding member and coach of Generation LatinX at iO Theater.

Moreno graduated with honors with a bachelor’s of science in computer science from the Universidad Experimental del Tachira (UNET) in Venezuela and is a consultant in the Intelligent Engineering Service practice at Accenture, where he offers his expertise in the improv world  for the creation of spaces for Innovation.

 

“Align your thoughts with your words and actions, and you will create the reality that you dreamed about. If you can imagine it, you can create it, Let’s create reality.”

 

Samara Mejia Hernandez

Age: 35

Title: Founding Partner

Name of Organization: Chingona Ventures

Samara Mejia Hernandez, Founding Partner of an institutionally backed seed stage fund, Chingona Ventures,

Samara Mejia Hernandez focuses on investing in technology and technology-enabled companies all over the U.S. Prior to this she was an early stage investor at MATH Venture Partners, an early-stage venture fund investing in technology start-ups with differentiated approaches to customer acquisition.

Hernandez worked at Goldman Sachs, where she was continually ranked in the top 5 in selling financial products, providing market insights, advising on portfolio construction, and consulting on business practices.

She started her career in the Fixed Income, Currency and Commodity (FICC) group where she led multiple technology enhancing projects across global exchanges. Hernandez is actively involved in the Chicago tech community and is passionate about helping underrepresented groups get into STEM education, venture capital and entrepreneurship.

She co-founded the Latinx Founders Collective organization to bring together Latinx founders, investors, and community leaders to support the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Hernandez is an active member of Latinx VCs, a San-Francisco based group of experienced venture investors coming together to connect, engage, and foster the Latinx VC ecosystem.

Hernandez is also on the board of Chicago Blend, an organization dedicated to supporting and increasing diversity in the Chicago tech community and is an advisor to Angeles Investors, an angel group focused on investing in Latinx founders.

She earned an industrial and operations engineering degree from the University of Michigan and a master’s degree in business administration from Northwestern University. She lives in Chicago with her husband, Ben Hernandez (also an entrepreneur), and 1-year-old son, Santi.

“You only need one person who finds something in you and is willing to take a chance on you – look for them and spend time building that relationship.”

 

Lisandra Martinez

Age: 39

Title: Director

Name of Organization: Women’s Business Development Center

Lisandra Martinez is an advocate for empowering women through entrepreneurship with an emphasis on supporting women of color.

Lisandra Martinez was born in Puerto Rico and moved to Chicago with her parents who were both teachers who came to work for the Chicago Public Schools, leaving life as they knew it on the island in search of better opportunities for their daughters.  As hard working, middle class parents, they instilled the value of a good education, a steady paycheck and saving for retirement to their children. With their encouragement, Martinez graduated from George Washington University with a bachelor’s degree in International Affairs and went on to earn her Juris Doctor from The University of Illinois College of Law in 2008 after giving birth to her son, Onix Sequoia.

After being laid off from her first job after law school she was forced to find her inner hustle as an entrepreneur. Martinez now lives for her true purpose, which is to passionately advocate for female business owners, help them grow to become entrepreneurs with high potential to help change communities and improve the world, one business at a time.

As a director for the nationally recognized Women’s Business Development Center, Martinez has brought the Leadership Entrepreneurial Advocacy Development program (LEAD) to the forefront as the only platform of its kind pioneering social change and economic security for minority women business owners.  She also spearheads the Early Childhood Entrepreneurial Education program where she helps childcare providers run sustainable businesses that allows them to contribute to the economic development of communities by ensuring the availability of high-quality, safe childcare options for working families.

“If revenues generated by minority-women owned firms matched those currently generated by all women owned businesses, we would add millions of jobs and trillions of dollars in revenue to the U.S. Economy.”

Grisel Maldonado

Age: 35

Title: CEO & Founder

Name of Organization: Avanza Strategies

Grisel Maldonado collaborates with educators to drive culturally responsive program strategy, develop new initiatives, and evaluate impact, with a specialization in postsecondary success.

Maldonado is also the founder of EdPower, a non-profit organization that aims to specifically address income inequality by supporting youth of color to develop aspirational postsecondary visions and be equipped with the tools they need to achieve them.

Prior to founding her organizations, Maldonado drove impact through admissions at Brown University and bolstering research-based programs for first-generation college students of color at the Noble Network of Charter Schools, Northwestern University, the University of Chicago’s Urban Education Institute, and Chicago Public Schools.

A first-generation college student raised by hard working Mexican immigrants in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago, Maldonado knows first-hand the dearth of guidance and resources that exist for similar students growing up. Many times, she was pulled away from the educational system but was fortunate to find key mentors who led her back and encouraged her journey. To give back, she has dedicated her career to building innovative models of high-quality educational programs to meet the needs of all students, especially those underestimated first-generation college, low-income, black, and Latinx students who have been underserved.

Maldonado received a Bachelor of Arts in History and Hispanic Studies from Brown University and is currently pursuing an executive M.B.A. from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. She is a proud alumnus of the Surge Institute Fellowship, member of Education Leaders of Color and Señoritas Latinas Unidas, and served on the board of Instituto del Progreso Latino.

Be grateful for your accomplishments but never forget that you did not get there alone. Always ask – how am I supporting those coming after me to also achieve their wildest dreams?

Christopher Max Gomez

Age: 36

Title: Chief Executive Officer

Name of Organization: Spirit Consulting

Christopher Max Gomez spent 12 years working in consulting while establishing strategic relationships with the nation’s premier organizations. Gomez felt the need to start Spirit Consulting, a management consulting company whose executive team is composed of accomplished business leaders tied together by their zeal to carry out the mission of achieving dreams through virtuous service.

The services offered by Spirit Consulting include Executive Search, IO Psychology, Strategy, Tax, Finance & Accounting, and Information Technology outsourcing. In addition to leading the Executive Search service line at Spirit Consulting, Gomez serves as CEO.

Gomez has many passions in life, including raising his sons, public speaking, and prayer. He also enjoys spending time with his family and friends, performing praise and worship music, playing and coaching hockey, writing, weight training, and running. As a public speaker, Gomez has made several appearances on NBC, CBS, WGN, Shalom Media, and is a regular contributor on Relevant Radio and the Chicago Tribune.

Gomez is wildly passionate about developing his community and channels this desire by serving as a board member for two nonprofit organizations. He formed the nonprofit Catholic Sports Camps where he serves as a board member for the organization whose mission is to inspire a more active and life-long relationship with Christ through sports, friendship and Catholic faith-building activities for children and their families. He also serves as a board member for River of Light, an organization that helps provide 900K meals a year for the needy in the Chicago area. A lifelong learner, he completed a master’s in business administration from DePaul University and earned a bachelor’s in business administration from the University of Illinois.

“Turn to God, our Father, for all your needs and you will never be disappointed. Never.”

 

Melissa Garcia

Age: 33

Title: Head, U.S Business Relationship Management 

Name of Organization: BMO Harris Bank

 

Melissa Garcia serves as the Head of U.S. Business Banking Sales for BMO Harris Bank.

 

Melissa Garcia is responsible for leading the Business Relationship Managers across the country. The Business Relationship Sales team directly impacts the growth initiatives with a $10B business portfolio. Garcia is accountable for segment growth in deposits, lending, treasury services, and revenue growth while ensuring a high level of customer satisfaction.

 

She began at BMO Harris Bank in 2011 and supervised 85 branches as the Retail Regional Sales Manager for the Wisconsin region. She was then promoted to VP-Market President in Wisconsin and Illinois where she focused on working in a $2B market. Named the Head of U.S Mortgage Sales, she helped increase banker productivity by 26% in 2019.

As the daughter of an immigrant father, Garcia’s parents made sure she knew the importance of hard work and continuing her education. She graduated from Illinois State University with a degree in finance, as well as earning two minors from Universidad de Granada in Spanish and International Business.  As a first-generation college graduate, her hard work and determination led to tremendous resilience as her path unfolded.

 

Garcia’s passion for mentorship along with diversity and inclusion keeps her engaged and results in successful advancement of initiatives. She serves as a committee member on the U.S. Personal and Commercial Steering Committee for Diversity & Inclusion and is a mentor in the Linkages Mentor Program, where she works with emerging diverse leaders and is an active member in the Latino Alliance Employee Resource Group.  She also serves on the committee for the March of Dimes Organization.

 

When you stop learning, you stop growing. Be curious, vulnerable, and intentional in stepping outside of your comfort zone- the journey and experience will be worth it!

Valentina Fonseca Krug

Age: 30

Title: President & Creative Director

Name of Organization: Lola Valentina

 

Valentina Fonseca Krug, a native of Chile, came to the United States at the age of 10 along with her mother and sister.

 

Valentina has had a passion for design for as long as she can remember. She initially pursued  in architecture while working for one of the nation’s largest linen rental companies where she was exposed to a variety of events types, corporate and social.

 

After working with clients who required specifically curated designs for their various event atmospheres, Valentina was introduced to and worked with global textile mills and realized that her true passion was in textiles and patterns. She shifted her focus from architecture to business and graduated from DePaul University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in 2015.

 

Valentina is the Founder of Lola Valentina, a Chicago and Nationwide based creative studio dedicated to the development and production of custom made and collection driven patterns printed on a variety of textiles such as table overlays and glass. She works one-on-one with her clients to design and produce custom patterns for events large and small. Her ultimate goal is to incorporate her designs within the interior design industry and continue discovering ways to assist her clients in defining the look of their favorite spaces.

Valentina is a member of WIPA (Wedding International Professionals Association) and has styled events for Kehoe Designs, Rafanelli Events, Ron Wendt Designs, Epic Events and Jes Gordon.

 

“Become the architect of your life, see opportunity where someone may only see deserted land.”      -Valentina Fonseca Krug

Gaspar Flores, Jr.

Age: 34

Title: Broker/Owner

Name of Organization: Su Familia Real Estate

 

Gaspar Flores, Jr. is a 2nd Generation Chicagoland Real Estate Broker.

Gaspar Flores, Jr. is an advocate for the real estate community through his direct involvement in local and national organizations.

 

His local and national involvement keeps him abreast of market trends before they even happen. Since 2009 his experience has included being an integral part of a nationally recognized, top-producing team. He was also part of the Chicago Association of Realtors Board of Directors between 2015 and 2018.

In addition, in 2017 he was the NAHREP (National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals) Chicago Chapter President and is currently involved in the Illinois Association of Realtors Board of Directors.

Flores’ transactional and expert negotiating skills make him indispensable to his clients and sales team. His continued dedication to the real estate community in Illinois and to his clients has facilitated relationships and transactions for his clients for whom he maintains a “Phone Call Away Approach.”

 

“It would be my sincere pleasure to meet you and understand your needs, to be able to meet your expectations and become your lifelong Realtor.” –Gaspar, Jr.

 

Chris Flores

Age: 30

Title: Co-Owner

Name of Organization: Gentleman’s Cooperative Garments

 

Chris Flores co-owner and master barber of Gentleman’s Cooperative Garments, Grooming and Events.

Chris Flores was born and raised in Chicago and is the leader of the grooming division of his business. What first began in high school as a hobby using his barber skills to connect with his friends, made its way to become his life passion and full-time career.  His skills as a barber followed him to college where the bathroom of his dorm became his studio.

A kinesiology major at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Flores continued to develop his love for cutting hair during college.  His referral-based clientele grew to more than 60 clients a week by his senior year.  It was through his hair cutting and personal interaction skills where he really learned about people and helped build his self-confidence and empowered him to pursue barbering school to get his license.

At 26, he graduated from Denmark School of Barbering.  The early self-taught years was invaluable as he mentored other students and contributed to the classroom learning environment.  He soon became a member of the advisory board committee.

He has always had a passion to strive above and beyond the limits of the men’s grooming industry.  Flores believes it is important to continue to grow personally and professionally through networking and building relationships with people in all industries.  He constantly finds it fascinating to learn about others through this business.  He has found a great sense of purpose in his professional life by helping others achieve the look they are seeking.  It makes his quest incredibly rewarding.

He said proudly that Gentleman’s Cooperative has partnered with Inner Voice Chicago where they provide clothing, tailoring, and haircuts.  They support people experiencing homelessness in their quest to achieve and maintain enhanced well-being, self-reliance and a place to call home.

 

“While hard work, dedication and determination will inevitably lead to success, the greatest life achievements are those we learn from our failures. Stay focused. The road to success is not always easy.”