USHCC’s Energy Summit aims to bridge the gap for Hispanic-Owned Businesses

As the energy sector undergoes a significant transformation, the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) is leading efforts to ensure Hispanic-owned businesses are part of the industry’s future. In an exclusive interview with Negocios Now, Synthia R. Jaramillo, USHCC’s Chief Growth & Partnerships Officer, shares how the upcoming Energy Summit—taking place April 29 to May 1, 2025, in Santa Fe, NM—is opening doors to opportunity, innovation, and representation. With a focus on connection, contracts, and clean energy, the summit is both a tribute to the past and a launchpad for the future.

By Migdalis Pérez, Negocios Now

NN: Why is it crucial for Hispanic-owned businesses to engage with and invest in the energy sector now more than ever?

SJ: The energy sector is rapidly evolving, and small businesses play a critical role in driving innovation, economic growth, and resilience. From conventional to next-generation energy sources, there’s a demand for skilled suppliers, service providers, and contractors. Hispanic-owned businesses have the talent and experience to compete in this space, but they need to be in the room where decisions and deals are happening. Getting involved now means building relationships, landing contracts, and positioning for long-term growth in an industry that isn’t slowing down anytime soon.

NN: How does this national conference reflect the USHCC’s commitment to advancing Hispanic representation and leadership in energy and sustainability?

SJ: The USHCC works to help Hispanic and small businesses succeed in high-potential industries—and energy is one of the most critical. It’s not just about growth; it’s about long-term economic impact, job creation and staying competitive in a rapidly evolving sector. 

The USHCC Energy Summit is designed specifically to elevate Hispanic and small businesses within the energy space. It brings together entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, and policymakers to build relationships, share resources, and open doors. The theme this year, “Bridging the Energy Divide,” reflects our mission to connect Hispanic and small businesses with the tools and partners they need to compete and grow, ensuring they have a central role in shaping the future of the energy industry.

NN: What key insights, resources, or connections can attendees expect to gain from this year’s conference in Santa Fe?

SJ: Attendees will gain valuable insights into the current and future trends of the energy industry, including new business opportunities, supporting the supply chain and potential contracts. The conference is built around networking. Attendees will have the opportunity for direct engagement with companies like Sandia National Labs, Baker Hughes, ConocoPhillips, and Kairos Power through small-group procurement roundtables.

A signature moment will be our “Women in Energy: Powering the Future” sunrise event at the breathtaking Santa Fe Opera, honoring trailblazing women leading in the energy space.

The conference will include panels like “The Energy Ecosystem of Tomorrow,” featuring C-suite executives across oil, gas renewables, and emerging tech, offering perspective on where the industry is headed and how small businesses can plug in.

There will also be a celebration for the Avanzando Suppliers Cohort, highlighting a group of resilient Hispanic-owned businesses now equipped to provide high-value solutions across the energy sector, showing attendees what success looks like and how to get there.

Altogether, this summit gives Hispanic and small business owners a real pathway into one of the country’s most powerful and fast-moving industries while celebrating the contributions of those who came before them.

NN: In what ways are Hispanic entrepreneurs shaping the future of clean energy and innovation across the U.S.?

SJ: They’re starting companies, building projects, and finding practical ways to solve problems in the energy space, whether it’s improving how power gets to communities, managing resources more efficiently, or offering specialized services. Many are stepping into roles that didn’t exist even five years ago. They’re helping the industry move forward by bringing in new skills, ideas, and ways of doing business.

NN: Could you also share some information about the conference’s history, the significance of hosting it in Santa Fe, and any positive news or updates that would be meaningful to our readers?

SJ: Santa Fe holds a special place in the USHCC’s legacy as the city where our organization was founded, making this city a symbolic and powerful setting to host our annual Energy Summit. Now in its fourth year, the summit was created to give Hispanic-owned and small businesses access to the growing energy sector. Since its inception, the summit has grown steadily in both attendance and company participation highlighting the rising interest in the industry. 

Given New Mexico’s leadership in both conventional and renewable energy, along with its key innovation hubs like Sandia and Los Alamos National Labs, key Department of Defense facilities, and its significant Hispanic community, hosting the summit here was a natural fit.