Negocios Now honors 50 Latina Leaders in the Construction industry

By Esteban Montero

Chicago, July 18 – Negocios Now announced the release of a special list of 50 outstanding Latinas in the construction industry, as part of its ongoing effort to highlight the growth and leadership of Hispanic women in a field historically dominated by men.

The selection includes construction company owners, engineers, architects, and high-level corporate executives. The list is featured in the 12th edition of the special “Who’s Who in Hispanic Business”. It will be distributed during the Negocios Now Gala, taking place on July 25 at the Old Post Office in Chicago.

“I want to thank everyone who made it possible to bring together these 50 fierce women in a single edition. I’m grateful for their collaboration in providing us with their information, and to our team for their hard work,” said Clemente Nicado, Publisher of Negocios Now. 

Nicado also expressed his excitement knowing that many of the honorees have confirmed their attendance at the Gala, where they will join other business leaders and executives in celebrating the achievements of the Latino business community.

The 2025 Who’s Who annual edition also highlights outstanding individuals across Business, Corporate, Finance, Law, Government, Elected Office, and the Nonprofit sector. This year, more than 170 leaders are profiled, with 60 percent appearing in the publication for the first time, reflecting the growing visibility of new Latino leadership. A complete list will be published next week.

Launched in 2014, the Negocios Now Gala annually presents special awards to outstanding Hispanic leaders. This year, Luis Puig Jr., President of A.L.L Construction, will receive the Business of the Year Award; Marta Cerda, CEO of ASI, will be honored with the Community Champion Award; Pablo Enríquez, Founder of Enríquez Produce, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award; and Homero Tristán, Founding Partner of Tristán & Cervantes, will be recognized with the Small Business Award.

The Gala will also include a posthumous tribute to Claudette Soto, Founder of baso Ltd., in recognition of her legacy and contributions to the community.

Below is the complete list of the 50 Latinas in the Construction Industry.

1. Jessica Adetoro
   SmithGroup – Project Architect
2. Yvonne Aguilera
   LPI Construction LLC – Owner
3. Maria Alvarado
   RT Materials – Owner
4. Gabriela Arriaga Melgoza
   Wise Investing LLC – Owner
5. Kenia Bahena
   K&C Atocha Exterior – Co-founder
6. Jessica Baturin
   Adelante Construction Group – Founder & CEO
7. Cristina Beran
   Chicago Voice and Data Authority – Founder
8. Carolyn Caballero
   Bella Dia Designs, LLC – Owner & Creative Director
9. Angela Caulfield
   Chicago Enclosures – Owner & Founder
10. Jeanette Chavarria-Torres
    DCH Construction & Hauling, LLC – President
11. Paola Coimbra
    Maca Investments LLC – CEO
12. Elisabeth Corona
    EMarin Group Ltd. – President
13. Brenda Cortes
    K&C Atocha Exteriors – Co-founder
14. Morayma Da Silva
    In-House Counsel – VP of Contract Compliance
15. Katherine Darnstadt
    Latent – Founder
16. Edith De la Cruz
    Antigua – Founder, President & CEO
17. Danielle Dy Buncio
    VIATechnik – Co-founder & CEO
18. Laura Flores
    JGMA – Director of Operations
19. July Franco
    Franco Hauling LLC – Co-founder
20. Yanet García
    Related Midwest – Vice President
21. Araceli Garza
    Obra Real Estate Services – Founder
22. Brenda Garza Karhoff
    Garza Karhoff Engineering, LLC (GKE) – President & Founding Principal
23. Stella Gaytan
    Bell Fuels – President
24. Beatriz Gonzalez
    STL – Project Manager
25. Lourdes Gonzalez
    Primera Engineers – Senior Vice President
26. Raquel Guzman
    SmithGroup – Architect
27. Alejandra Hernandez
    JP Architects – Marketing Director
28. Maria Laguarda-Mallo
    VIATechnik – Director of Studio A100
29. Beatriz Lopez
    Aria Group Architecture – Project Manager
30. Mari H. Madrigal
    Foremost Improvements Inc. – Founder & President
31. Alzira Maldonado
    EXP – Senior Design Architect
32. Maria Martinez
    Villa Group Properties LLC – Co-founder
33. Lizzette Medina
    Lizzette Medina & Co. – President & CEO
34. Richelle Moreno
    AXIOM Contractors LLC – CEO
35. Ursula Morua
    UM Design Group – Founder & CEO
36. Astrid Najera
    A&C Quality Construction – Founder & President
37. Joann P. Ornelas-Bauer
    Dynamic Utility Solutions – CEO
38. Rosa Ortiz
    3e.Studio – Founder & Principal
39. Sadzi Martha Oliva
    United Scrap Metal,  Senior Vice President of Government Relations & Community
40. Frida Palacios
    Hines – Fund Management Analyst
41. Alicia Ponce
    APMonarch – Founder & Principal
42. Veronica Ramirez
    United Enterprise – Vice President
43. Estefanía Roa
    L.B. Hall Fireproofing – Owner
44. Marisa Rodriguez
    MJV Concrete – Owner
45. Patricia Saldana
    UrbanWorks, Ltd. – President & Design Principal
46. Yesenia Sebastian
    MS. Sebastian Painting Inc. – Co-founder
47. Anna Vargas
    Elcora Engineering Solutions – Founder & CEO
48. Socorro Vazquez
    Toro Construction Corp. – President
49. Erika Venegas
    Pro Nova Contracting LLC – Founder & President
50. Fabiola Yep
    Wheeler Kearns Architects – Project Architect