The New Majority: Recent Episodes
Hispanic Executive
The New Majority podcast highlights the leaders of our country’s new majority—one that is increasingly multicultural, increasingly diverse, and increasingly Latino. With each episode, our host Pedro A. Guerrero speaks with Latino leaders about their career journeys and lessons learned.
Being a political trailblazer is in Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s DNA.
Her grandfather Eugene D. Lujan was one of the first Hispanic justices of the New Mexico Supreme Court. In 2019, she made history as the first Democratic Latina elected governor in the United States.
Lujan Grisham’s successes for New Mexicans—investing in high-quality education from early childhood through college, reaching historic economic growth, setting ambitious climate goals—come from the relationships she’s built during her forty-year career. She is honest about the challenges that lie ahead and the conversations that need to happen.
For Lujan Grisham, to be a leader is to represent your community. She sees her responsibility, her legacy, to uplift the next generation of Latinos and Latinas. To have our elected officials better represent America.
It’s a challenging path, but it’s one worth pursuing.
Grit. Perseverance. Love.
Those family values have been and will always be part of Monica Gil, who grew up the youngest of twelve children. She watched her parents and older siblings navigate systems and unspoken rules of the game, trailblazing a path for her to advance.
Throughout her career at Nielsen and now at NBCUniversal Telemundo, Gil has always figured out how to reach back to bring Latinos along with her. To remove that “hassle factor” for Latinos and Latinas, and to remove barriers for future generations to get into spaces where they are few and far between. She’s launched women’s leadership programs, going beyond just doing one-on-ones. There’s also the Telemundo Academy, which serves students interested in pursuing careers in the media industry.
Providing exposure to leadership and corporate opportunities is an important piece of the puzzle to Gil. It allows our community, our familia, to celebrate the wins and the defining moments together.
Advocacy is at the heart of everything Dolores Huerta does.
It was the influence of her mother’s community activism and her initial time as a teacher that spurred her lifelong journey as a community organizer. She met César Chavez while serving in the Stockton Community Service Organization, and the pair went on to launch the United Farm Workers union in 1962.
That was only the beginning for Huerta. She became the most visible spokesperson for the union, securing seemingly impossible feats that allowed California farm workers to wield economic power. She challenged gender discrimination within the farm workers’ movement and campaigned in the early 2000s to encourage Latinas to run for office.
At 94, Huerta continues her life’s work as president and founder of the Dolores Huerta Foundation. She’s advocating for women’s rights and the Equal Rights Amendment. She’s encouraging young Latinos to make their voices heard at the ballot box.
Because for Dolores Huerta, Latinos are the future.
For Alvaro Luque, marketing strategies that promote avocados and celebrate the rich heritage of the Latino community will always be the way to go.
With a career marked by groundbreaking initiatives, including AFM's historic Super Bowl advertising campaigns, Alvaro has solidified his reputation as a trailblazer in the marketing world. His dedication to authenticity and cultural resonance has propelled AFM to unprecedented success. He’s also sparked meaningful conversations about diversity, inclusion, and representation.
Alvaro shares insights into the complexities of bicultural identity, the evolving landscape of marketing to a multicultural nation and the transformative power of storytelling – something we especially champion here at The Latino Majority. Through his experiences and wisdom, get inspired to embrace your own cultural heritage and contribute to a more inclusive society.
In every episode of The Latino Majority, we ask our guests a significant question: "If you were to author the story of Latinos in America today, what would be the theme and title?"
Over fifty episodes later, we've gathered profound reflections from a diverse array of voices. This special compilation highlights some of the most impactful moments, showcasing the resilience, creativity, and dynamism of the Latino community.
Whether you're a longtime listener or tuning in for the first time, we hope these stories inspire and resonate with you. Enjoy!
For Stacie de Armas, a trailblazer in media and cultural representation, her passion for exploring the intricate layers of Latino identity in modern America is unmistakable.
As a first-generation Cubana, Stacie brings a wealth of multicultural insights to her work as the Senior Vice President of Diverse Intelligence & Initiatives at Nielsen.
Stacie's work has influenced major brands and media networks and deepened the understanding of the Latino community's cultural impact in the US. She continues to drive conversations and initiatives that celebrate the richness of Latino culture while empowering individuals to embrace their identities in an ever-changing world.
For José Tavarez, leadership isn't just about climbing the corporate ladder; it's about challenging the status quo and advocating for oneself in the face of uncertainty. Raised in a family where hard work and respect were foundational, Tavarez's career path wasn't linear but marked by pivotal moments of determination and perseverance. One such moment came during the merger of Bank of America and Merrill Lynch, where Tavarez took a risk by asking for a meeting with the new boss, setting him on a trajectory of leadership that defied expectations.
As one of the top leaders in finance, Tavarez's story resonates with the Latino community and beyond, inspiring young professionals. His commitment to authenticity, empathy, and trust has shaped his career and philanthropic endeavors. Through initiatives focused on education and economic empowerment, José knows that to make a lasting impact on underserved communities, he must embody the values instilled from his upbringing.
50th EPISODE: For Bobby Herrera, storytelling isn't just an expression – it's a movement, mobilizing hearts and minds with each powerful chapter of the Latino narrative.
Born to immigrant parents in New Mexico, Herrera's upbringing instilled in him the power of storytelling, shaping his perspective on leadership and community. Today, as the President and CEO of Populus Group and an esteemed author, Bobby continues to champion the underdog narrative, encouraging others to embrace their unique stories.
As the first Latino member of the Gray Miller Agency and best-selling author of The Gift of Struggle, Bobby ignites hope and offers practical insights for navigating life's chapters with authenticity and impact.
With grace and vision guiding her, Megan Hogan has been a voice for the voiceless.
From her roots in pro bono clinics to her current role as Global Head of Talent and Chief Diversity officer at Goldman Sachs as well as her volunteer work, she has championed the causes of countless individuals in their journey to find stability and community.
Our host, Pedro Guerrero, discovers the foundation of Megan’s determination and strength in this episode.
For Luis Miranda, Jr., transitioning from his Puerto Rican roots to his current position as a prominent figure in American politics and culture has been extraordinary. With a background of resilience and determination, Luis has become a trailblazer in both the public and private sectors. As a political strategist, philanthropist, and author, he has dedicated his life to advocating for Latino voices and championing the American dream.
Miranda, Jr. has left an indelible mark on American society throughout his career. From his pioneering work in political strategy to his unwavering commitment to social justice, he has consistently fought for the empowerment of marginalized communities. In this episode, we delve into his insights on the evolving landscape of Latino identity, the nuances of American politics, and the cultural impact of the Latino community.
Miranda, Jr. brings valuable perspectives to the table to help us better understand the intersection between politics, culture, and identity in America.
For Oscar Munoz, leadership is more than simply steering companies to success. To him, it’s about connecting with people on a human level.
As the former CEO and chairman of United Airlines, Oscar's leadership prioritized building trust and inclusivity. His genuine concern for others stem from his experiences, making him a relatable and inspiring figure in the corporate world.
Our host, Pedro Guerrero, details Oscar's journey into the human side of leadership, uncovering the secrets to success in an ever-changing world.
From the youngest elected mayor to CEO of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, Fidel Vargas is dedicated to educational access and community empowerment.
As a former recipient of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund turned CEO of the HSF, Fidel's tireless efforts have reshaped the landscape of scholarship programs and catalyzed opportunities for countless young Latino scholars nationwide.
Through strategic advocacy and innovative programs, Fidel has built pathways to success for underrepresented communities and opportunities for younger generations.
Today, Vargas continues to drive a new perception home: Latino students in the United States are in charge of their own destinies, and there are no limits to what they can achieve.
For Julie Chavez Rodriguez, becoming a dynamic leader in today’s America could be her destiny as the granddaughter of civil rights icon Cesar Chavez. From her roots in the farmworker movement, Julie has emerged as a pivotal member of President Biden’s re-election campaign and stands among one of the highest-ranking Latinas in the White House.
It was her upbringing, Julie says, that instilled dedication and determination in her at an early age. As she navigates her current role in politics, Julie provides a glimpse into the strategic efforts to engage the Latino voter.
With an estimated 36.2 million Hispanics being eligible to vote this year, up from 32.3 million in 2020, Julie provides a glimpse into the strategic efforts to engage the Latino voter.
For Sandra Velasquez, it’s always been about self-worth and self-acceptance. Show up as yourself and be bold about it. In a world that undermines minorities, Sandra aspires to take center stage and make a meaningful impact, not just for herself but also for the Latino community.
From her early days as a performer leading sold-out shows to her current role as the founder of the groundbreaking beauty brand Nopalera, Velasquez knows this is a business of survival of the strongest. Sandra has defied conventions while showcasing creativity, resilience, and passion throughout her diverse portfolio, including a Shark Tank experience. Her story challenges norms and biases where she fearlessly embraces her Latina identity.
Sandra’s narrative illustrates that everyone is inherently worthy of beauty and success from birth, offering a glimpse into what it truly takes to be seen.
When Carlos Huereca immigrated to El Paso at the age of 13, he had no choice but to get comfortable with the uncomfortable.
His parents showed him how. It was at the dinner table where they often made tough decisions about their furniture business. Carlos had a front row seat to conversations about financial management and talent recruitment. It was during that time when he learned to heed the words his mother would repeat over and over: “Stay focused and committed.”
He still treasures that early education and has used it to propel his career growth. First it was in sales at Dish Network. Then he pivoted to human resources at ADP. Today he owns dual roles as both CHRO and COO at Corporate Relocation International (or CRI).
It’s at CRI where he’s not only able to leverage succession planning as a strategic, competitive advantage for other companies, but also support employees in their own life changes—and help make them be comfortable with the uncomfortable.
For Marta Tellado, memories of the marketplace she used to frequent in Havana, Cuba aren’t just memories — they’re a living paradigm for a better world. They’re a model of an ecosystem where people help each other. And they’re a never-ending source of drive, passion, and perseverance to advocate for others today.
From serving as a translator for the older generation, to being a champion for safety and transparency for consumers, to shaping policy in Washington DC while shaping minds with her no-holds-barred book, Marta is the epitome of advocacy in action.
As the President and CEO of Consumer Reports, Marta’s daily work involves fostering truth, transparency, and fairness in the marketplace. Now, she shares with us the actionable principles she uses to bring those big, theoretical goals into the tangible world and positively impact the end consumer.
The David Morales story is the story of the Morales family.
That resonates in no place greater than his recent autobiography, American Familia. In it, Morales digs into his Puerto Rican heritage—not only as a way to emphasize the legacy of his family’s journey to America but to also inspire others within the Latino community to tell their own stories.
A devout student of all things Puerto Rico, Morales has been steadfast in his dedication to the island. He shows it through his keen interest in its musical history as well as the many ways in which he incorporates a “family first” culture into the teams he leads at Unicare.
It’s that kind of culture that has resulted in personal and professional success for Morales—and he wants to see his family grow larger.
Lou Nieto grew up fascinated by strategy.
A kid once destined for law school, he devoured battle maneuvers from historic wars and studied chess—a game he still believes doubles as a potent metaphor for life.
Nieto’s interest in strategy translated seamlessly to his leadership roles in corporate America, in which he held high-ranking positions with Kraft, Dean, and ConAgra Foods. It was in business where he was able to fully realize his potential as a strategic thinker—someone who could not only revive a faltering company, like he did at ConAgra, but also set it up for success.
Retired since 2009, he continues to advise and mentor a growing community of Latino entrepreneurs, teaching each of them that it’s their responsibility to define their own potential.
Raquel González doesn’t play witness to the changing Latino narrative, she helps author it.
With a career spanning decades at Bank of America, González is not only a leading example of what can be achieved through longevity and commitment to a revered financial institution, she actively invests in Latino entrepreneurs to help give them their own clear vision of success.
As market president for Bank of America Silicon Valley and the Hispanic-Latino Strategy Executive for Consumer and Small Business, González focuses on high impact work—whether that’s lending to small business owners or inspiring young talent to see the many ways Bank of America can positively affect their careers.
Like so many Latinos, González is a strong believer in family and surrounding yourself with individuals who care about your achievements as much as their own. She found that kind of familia at Bank of America long ago—and today she counts herself lucky that she gets to continue to see it grow, year after year.
For Director Ángel Manuel Soto, Blue Beetle is for his younger self.
As a kid growing up in Puerto Rico, Soto didn’t have the opportunity to see an Indiana Jones that looked like him—to see Latinos in heroic spaces of power on the big screen. Through Blue Beetle he set out to change that.
His recent blockbuster not only highlights the truth that the Latino community is no monolith—and that it features everyday moments of superhero strength—it also shows how communities too often seen as ghettos are in fact full of rich, tight-knit relationships that span generations.
Any young Angel Manuel Soto would pay the price of admission to see that story in the theater.
“Latinos don’t play hockey.” It’s a phrase that Xavier Gutierrez has heard often since becoming the first Latino to lead an NHL team.
As president and CEO of the Arizona Coyotes, Gutierrez sees the massive opportunity in welcoming Latinos to the hockey rink. It’s a vision he shares with friend and team owner Alex Meruelo, the first Latino owner in the NHL.
With the Coyotes expanding its presence across Arizona, it’s the perfect place for Gutierrez to be. He leads with a passion for serving the Latino community, which makes up nearly one-third of the state’s population, because he knows firsthand the impact of representation.
Gutierrez approaches his mission with intentionality and authenticity, whether it’s expanding a street hockey program to reach young Latino athletes or inviting Latino college students to attend a game against the Boston Bruins.
He’s doing the same thing that his parents, mentors, and peers have done for him throughout his career: opening doors for others.
The story of Siete Family Foods starts with a challenge: how to better manage an autoimmune disease through dietary transformation while staying connected to your culture.
Miguel Garza watched his sister Veronica find a grain-free solution for tortillas by using almond flour, which she would then sell to family and friends in Laredo, Texas. Fresh out of law school and inspired by the entrepreneurial culture in Austin, Garza saw an opportunity to expand Veronica’s side hustle into a full-time business.
Since 2015, Garza has led the family-owned company with the mission of catering to the Latino community while also preserving cultural traditions. He credits Siete’s success to the trust, love, and collaboration within the family.
At the heart of the Siete mission is a core value that Garza sees as representative to the community: Juntos es mejor. Together is better.
For Orlando Bravo, the story always starts in Puerto Rico.
Even today, as the billionaire founder and managing partner of private equity investment firm Thoma Bravo, he recognizes that where he came from will forever influence where he is.
Bravo attributes his meteoric rise in the early 2000s—when he made a name for himself in software acquisitions—to his upbringing in Puerto Rico. His unique journey instilled in him a confidence to think differently in the Wild West of Silicon Valley and to ultimately separate himself from other tech entrepreneurs.
Bravo’s incredible success has since afforded him the opportunity to give back to a community that has given him so much—and to be a role model to new generations of Puerto Rican entrepreneurs who sometimes need a push to know that they can dream.
For most ten-year-olds, managing a grocery store would be daunting. For Teresa Barreira, it was a learning experience.
Growing up in a small village where her parents ran three businesses, Barreira discovered what it meant to be entrepreneurial and scrappy. That background—in combination with an unflinching pride in her heritage—informs her today as a marketing and thought leader who sits as Global Chief Marketing Officer at Publicis Sapient.
It also inspires her work with younger generations of Latinos who don’t see careers in marketing as viable options. Barreira knows that a diverse perspective in marketing makes the product, the solution, and the company better. She’s seen the proof her entire career—and she wants to see more of it.
Guillermo Diaz isn’t shy about emphasizing the impact of his time in the Navy.
It’s not only where he developed his competence in technology but where he began to truly understand the power in building relationships—the power in fostering a sense of community.
As chairman of the Hispanic IT Executive Council and former CIO of Cisco Systems, Diaz can provide plenty of proof of his brilliance in technology. What has his focus today is leveraging that expertise to connect Latinos in the greater business community. He does that as the mastermind behind the digital platform Conectado.
Camille Vasquez didn’t anticipate her fame.
Raised by a Cuban mother and Colombian father who met while learning to speak English at a school in Los Angeles, Camille and her sister were given a simple directive early on: focus on your education. And so they did.
According to Vasquez, that resulted in one of two options: doctor or lawyer. She chose the latter—her sister the former—and started down a path that led her to representing Johnny Depp in a highly publicized defamation trial against his ex-wife Amber Heard.
It wasn’t a predictable route, but her parents had set her on a course to becoming a prominent—and now internationally recognized—Latina lawyer.
Vasquez doesn’t take her newfound celebrity lightly. Her “earned luck,” as she describes it, means she not only gets to play a role model for young Latinas entering law but also gets to honor her parents’ sacrifices.
Rosanna Durruthy recently celebrated six years at LinkedIn.
Over the course of her tenure as VP of Global Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging, she’s not only led countless empowerment initiatives at the social media giant—she’s had a front-row seat to the multicultural evolution of a global workforce.
That’s not something she could claim 30 years ago. When Durruthy began her career, the role of chief diversity officer wasn’t a certainty. Even at the most prominent corporations, in the most widespread industries, DEI was not a priority.
Durruthy never saw that as a limitation. Instead, she saw it as an opportunity—not only to carve a path for her own career, but to show others that not only were their identities valued, but their points of view mattered.
2-Part Episode: Recognizing the Latino impact on the American and global economy is nothing new for the audience of The Latino Majority podcast. According to studies by the Latino Donor Collaborative, if the Hispanic/Latino community was its own country, it would be the fifth largest economy in the world, ahead of the UK, India, and France.
Having two finance experts on The Latino Majority allows us the opportunity to dig deeper into our effect on the economy and how we see the path forward for Latinos taking shape.
Much of that path is laid out in an in-depth study that Merrill Lynch recently conducted on how the Latino community explores wealth. We’ll unpack that study a bit further with two leaders from Merrill Lynch: Jen Auerbach, Strategic Growth and Client Development Executive, and Kenneth Correa, Head of Business and Client Development.
2-Part Episode: Recognizing the Latino impact on the American and global economy is nothing new for the audience of The Latino Majority podcast. According to studies by the Latino Donor Collaborative, if the Hispanic/Latino community was its own country, it would be the fifth largest economy in the world, ahead of the UK, India, and France.
Having two finance experts on The Latino Majority allows us the opportunity to dig deeper into our effect on the economy and how we see the path forward for Latinos taking shape.
Much of that path is laid out in an in-depth study that Merrill Lynch recently conducted on how the Latino community explores wealth. We’ll unpack that study a bit further with two leaders from Merrill Lynch: Jen Auerbach, Strategic Growth and Client Development Executive, and Kenneth Correa, Head of Business and Client Development.
A powerful Latina in the business of financial advisory, Adela Cepeda fought tooth and nail to have her voice heard by men hoping to drown her out. Now she’s here to hold them accountable.
As a founder and president of her own influential firm—plus a consistent boardroom presence—Cepeda recognizes that the early hurdles she overcame, and the difficulties her Colombian parents faced, acted as strong lessons in perseverance. But she doesn’t wish for younger generations of Latinas to face those same hardships.
Instead, she wants her experiences to serve others. She wants to call out injustices and prove that treating Latinos, and especially Latinas, as equals isn’t just a savvy move—it’s the right one.
Because if the business world acknowledges our power now, it can only be better prepared for tomorrow.
When Emilio Estefan emigrated from Cuba in the 1960s—eventually settling in Miami—it wasn’t by choice . . . it was by necessity. Even at a young age, Estefan understood he’d have to work hard for his freedom, for his family’s freedom.
That work came in the form of music. From the moment his uncle gifted him a $77 accordion, Estefan recognized that music would be the key to unlocking his own potential and showcasing the power and invention of Latino culture in America.
Today, as a musician and producer who’s worked with the likes of Jennifer Lopez, Shakira, and Ricky Martin, Estefan refuses to settle.
Recently made a partner in L’Attitude—where he’s connected to an incredible executive network of Latinos—Estefan sees now more than ever, the power we yield as one Latino community that extends far beyond music. One that promotes one flag with one color and centers on pride.
For Lili Gil Valletta, it’s simple: diversity and inclusion is good for business.
It’s what she preaches as a loyal champion of cultural intelligence—a concept that focuses on the awareness, understanding, and application of cultural data into everyday business.
Too often corporations make short-sighted decisions as a means of chasing diversity metrics and quotas. Valletta, a proud Colombiana, has devoted 20 years of her career to educating the C-suite that an inclusive approach will allow their business to grow. If they want to remain relevant in an increasingly multicultural corporate world, they need to accept D&I as a mindset rather than an initiative.
As Valletta explains, we already know that our Latinoness is a competitive edge in any business. For others, though, it’s about time they started doing their homework.
When we set out to produce The New Majority podcast, we wanted to create a space that amplifies the voices of accomplished Latino leaders whose stories are not readily told by the mainstream media.
Three remarkable seasons later and having spoken with some the most influential Latino executives in America—as well as important allies of our community—we’ve begun to see patterns emerge.
There are underlying themes running through each episode of The New Majority and in the lives of the podcast’s central heroes. The desire to prove people wrong, to buck conventional attitudes, the impulse to include and bring others along, and the tension of belonging, while not belonging all the same.
These narrative tributaries flow through our headsets to distill an image of a multicultural and complex community that is as deep as the lives of the individuals interviewed on our show.
There is nothing new about Latinos in America.We’ve been here for quite some time and whether you see us and ignore us or you simply refuse to see us, we know this to be 100% true: America wouldn’t exist without us and that America wouldn’t thrive without us.
For us, Latinos are America. That although we will be the majority in numbers sometime in the distant future, we are the majority now in spirit.
It’s in that spirit that we have decided to rename our show.
Welcome to The Latino Majority podcast.
There are few better seats at the table than the one next to the president of the United States. As vice president, Kamala Harris recognizes that privilege. And like the influential Latinos and Latinas featured on *The New Majority*, she recognizes it as a result of those underrepresented leaders who came before her. Those who walked into spaces of corporate and political power knowing they would be judged and undervalued—but did so with their chins up and shoulders back. Her story has long been one of resolve. Magnified not only by her ascent to become the first female vice president in US history, but also in how she’s operated since taking office. She has remained steadfast in her dedication to the expansion of rights and the continued investment in multicultural and multigenerational businesses. That advocacy for our nation’s diverse communities both honors her predecessors and guides her successors.
Tanya Reu-Narvaez lives her life by a simple but powerful mantra: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
Growing up in an apartment building owned by her grandparents–where her sprawling family lived together under one roof–she learned about both the stability and the opportunity homeownership offers. And the layered effect it can have on generations of a single family.
As Chief People Officer at real estate powerhouse Anywhere, Reu-Narvaez wants to create the same sense of community she felt when her aunts, uncles, and cousins would spill out into the hallways of the apartment building during Thanksgiving dinner.
For her, Latinos should be at the center of real estate strategy. That idea is not only reflected in how she approaches diversity internally at Anywhere but in how she urges the real estate market to better acknowledge the buying power of Latinos and underrepresented minorities.
Raul Anaya first witnessed the drive and resilience of the Latino business owner when his father opened Anaya’s Body and Paint Shop in Brownsville, Texas.
As President of Business Banking at Bank of America—and now as a member of the board of trustees for the Smithsonian’s Museum of the American Latino—Anaya continues to witness the power of Latinos when they want to build something. And exactly how hope and optimism guides us as a community of entrepreneurs.
Anaya has seen it over the course of three decades. Bank of America has not only provided him with the opportunity to appreciate the kind of courage his father showed when he walked into a bank to ask for a loan—it’s allowed him the opportunity to personally support diverse business owners and properly reflect the community. Because for Anaya, we’re in this together.
As a Girl Scout selling cookies, Sylvia Acevedo was taught by her troop leader to be adaptable, persistent, and inventive—to never lose sight of a sale until she’s heard “no” three times.
That early lesson informed the NASA alum and former Girl Scouts CEO to bring two solutions into a room: the one that everyone expects, and the one that innovates.
Growing up in New Mexico, Acevedo discovered her track to engineering early on thanks to an aptitude for science and math. It was during that nontraditional path—one in which she was forced to battle otherness as a young Latina engineer—where she discovered how to cleverly create possibility for herself while simultaneously finding common ground with peers.
Today, she imparts her knowledge as an engineering trailblazer to the Latino and greater business communities, thanks in part to public speaking opportunities and claiming seats at the tables of corporate boards. For Acevedo, it’s never been about whether or not Latinos are in the game. We are. It’s always about how we can add value.
For José E. Feliciano, success starts with failure.
Prior to co-founding prominent private equity firm Clearlake Capital in 2006, Feliciano persevered through failures that forced him to innovate rather than recede into the background. Today, as a powerful investor in Silicon Valley, he sees his story reflected in countless technology start-ups. Businesses where failure is celebrated—because out of challenge often comes invention.
Feliciano has experienced enormous growth with Clearlake, and he’s paid that success forward by founding the philanthropic Supercharged initiative and claiming a seat on the board of trustees for the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino.
He believes that his career story isn’t unique—that regardless of his recent stake in the English Premier League soccer team Chelsea FC, he’s not on a path that’s invisible to others in the Latino business community. It’s a bold statement, but for Feliciano, as Latinos continue to grow into the new majority, so too will their access to capital and notoriety.
Arturo Nuñez is a wizard at translating marketing strategy across cultures and populations. Currently the chief marketing officer at NuBank—a rising fintech bank based in Brazil—the born storyteller has been in the business for over three decades, with stops at PepsiCo, Diageo, Nike, and Apple.
Nuñez’s ambition for learning about different cultures is authentic and inspiring, but even more important is his passion to embed himself in each of those cultures for the sake of telling an emotional and captivating story. That passion is unmatched.
“In challenge there’s always opportunity,” Nuñez believes. Over the course of such a long career, his most significant challenge has been to continue finding success—and to build upon each new success so that he stays curious about what might come next.
There’s one key consistency Dr. Miguel Román has observed across the countless photos he’s seen of our planet taken from space: our natural environment has no borders.
As a leading mind in climate science, Dr. Román has made it his mission to illustrate the effects of climate change through meaningful stories rather than onslaughts of data. And he often uses his native Puerto Rico as his protagonist. The island’s susceptibility to hurricanes and its reputation as a “front line community in the face of climate,” means that it’s consistently been forced to help itself structurally while propping up its own community emotionally.
Dr. Román believes that the disasters Puerto Rico has had to endure can inform and educate the greater Latino community about climate change moving forward. Not only in how we adapt to that change but in how we better understand the wellness of the planet as a whole—without borders.
Charo Henriquez is comfortable pursuing the job that doesn't exist.
A leader in digital journalism and newsroom strategy at the New York Times, she recognizes her value lies in the keen ability to solve for opportunities in a digital-first environment. To keep ahead of the curve and build new roles.
It was early in her career as a journalist in Puerto Rico that Henriquez became comfortable with the idea of disruption and innovation at a legacy publication. And in identifying the rise of digital journalism during the decline of print, she also identified incredible possibility.
Now she focuses on developing a newsroom that not only represents the many cultures and perspectives within it, but one that is always thinking about the next step. Henriquez knows better than anyone that to best serve a multicultural audience—and how it consumes news—you must accept that it will look different in five years.
Early in his life as an entrepreneur, Gary Acosta believed that building a professional network was a fundamental necessity to best serve his career—and his career most of all. That his network was ultimately in place to benefit his ventures, first and foremost.
Today, as CEO and cofounder of the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP) and cofounder of L’Attitude—an annual event that connects the world’s most powerful Latino business leaders—Acosta believes in the importance of sharing power above all else. He recognizes that his own success as a “serial entrepreneur” is due to the relationships he’s forged over decades and the momentum he’s been able to ride as a result.
For Acosta, the pie is not finite—and his career is proof. Members of the Latino business community can’t believe the misconception that they have to manufacture business success on their own. Successes can be shared, and they can bring a power that serves several.
For Dr. Geraldo Cadava, the wide diversity of the Latino experience is something to be honored rather than categorically dissected. Only once we respect the countless origin stories of our community can we even begin to understand the sincere, deeply held beliefs of each unique individual.
A scholar and author, Cadava’s deep family history informs his own experiences. He has often looked to his grandfather—a man of Colombian and Filipino descent who was born in Panama—for a rich text of stories about the Latino experience in America. In unpacking the cultural and political complexities within his own family, he became an expert on the multitude of themes woven throughout Latino history.
That curiosity has fueled his career as an educator and spawned two books, the most recent being 2020’s The Hispanic Republican: The Shaping of An American Political Identity, from Nixon to Trump.
Miguel Cardona felt the pride of service long before being appointed the United States Secretary of Education. As the highest-ranking educator in the country, Cardona knows that his Latinoness has helped him thrive. Over the course of his term, he aims to trumpet that same message to an underrepresented population of Latino teachers and students. That their bilingualism and biculturalism are, in fact, superpowers.
A Republican thought leader and cofounder of the Lincoln Project, Mike Madrid leverages his unique Latino perspective to provide commentary on a country in the midst of an enormous cultural transformation. He knows that as Armerica’s complexion continues to change, the political party that properly addresses the education divide in the Latino community and invests in what he describes as “an aspirational agenda for a multiracial working class” will be of best service to the country.
As a child, Carolina Ceballos stood witness to her mother’s determination and fearlessness in the face of unprecedented familial stress. Today, as deputy chief compliance officer at Facebook Payments, Ceballos carries on the lessons of her youth. Whether she’s navigating issues of money laundering or fraud or human trafficking, she works tirelessly to ensure that the transactions in the global financial world bring people together instead of causing them harm.
Inherited from his father, Jorge Plasencia’s entrepreneurial spirit is affirmed through his creative marketing agency, Republica Havas. There, Plasencia echoes the multicultural makeup of Miami, where Republica Havas is based, while spotlighting the unique perspective of the American Latino. Because he knows that if you’re not investing in the Latino community today, you’re likely be obsolete in 20 years.
As CHRO and partner at TPG and a board member at Upwork, Anilu Vazquez-Ubarri proudly carries the torch for her maternal grandmother, a mentor and analytical thinker who was one of the first women to go to a university in Puerto Rico. In her current roles, Vazquez-Ubarri focuses on data to emphasize the gaps in diverse representation in corporate America while messaging the need for the Latino community to collectively “run to the fire,” as she puts it, and take advantage of its numbers.
As chief communications officer at National Public Radio (NPR), Isabel Lara ensures there’s a unified brand voice at the trusted news institution—one that acknowledges all voices, all accents, and all experiences. A Venezuelan immigrant who came to the United States 20 years ago, Lara has already spent considerable time walking the halls of media companies and museums. What’s been made crystal clear during her journey is that “the Latino story is part of the American story.”
For Alicia Menendez, introducing mainstream media to the Latino community brings with it a deep sense of responsibility. An MSNBC anchor and the host of the Latina to Latina podcast, Menendez understands the value of context when shaping media narratives, and with her “heart of service,” she promotes the message that if you want to break down silos, you need to be clear about the why and be willing to ask for help.
Recorded in front of a live audience via Zoom, this bonus episode features a conversation with Meta's Aidymar Bigio and emphasizes the human connection and shared experiences being created by the metaverse, particularly as we become more accustomed to living in a virtual world. At the end of the episode, the floor is opened up for questions from the audience to Bigio, ranging from “What is your favorite VR experience and why?” to “How do you see VR enhancing travel?”
As a child, Maria Teresa Kumar often acted as her family’s de facto translator, in some instances going to the doctor with her grandmother to make sure she received the right prescriptions. Her responsibility meant she often navigated two worlds and assumed the role of advocate for those the system quickly left behind. Today, as president and CEO of Voto Latino—and as an Emmy-nominated MSNBC contributor—she maintains an advocacy for Latinos that is louder and more critical than ever before.
When Aidymar Bigio immigrated to the United States—having been accepted to the engineering program at the University of Rochester—it came as more than a culture shock. She describes that first step of her journey as a “survival game in assimilation.”
Aidymar Bigio’s story begins as that of a curious girl who heard a ticking coming from her mom. That experience propelled her towards a career in engineering, and today, as a prominent Latina at Meta, she leads the future of Oculus.
The first-generation son of a Cuban mother and Peruvian father, Mike Roggero never saw anything on television growing up that represented who he was. Today, as chairman and CEO of Fuse Media, Roggero has a goal to make the voice of the underserved stretch out across the entire media ecosystem—so that the Fuse brand becomes ubiquitous and, in turn, showcases the right representation of a blended America.
For Dr. Cristina Mora, the greatest challenge faced by Latinos is being seen as American. The community’s collective consciousness may have developed as a result of never being accepted, but every new generation brings with it an added layer of dynamism and a welcome discourse about the identity of America. Today, as a professor of sociology at UC Berkeley and author of Making Hispanics: How Activists, Bureaucrats, and Media Constructed a New American, Dr. Mora insists on the nuance of Latinidad and calls for Latinos to work together towards a project of justice.
Samara Mejia Hernandez discovered early on that math acted as a universal language when she was challenged by a fifth-grade teacher to pursue accelerated courses. Later, when an older sister pushed her towards an engineering program, Hernandez began to recognize the value of investing in potential. Today, the Chingona Ventures’ founding partner carries that insight into her investment strategies, embracing the totality of her life experience to benefit the founders in whom she sees potential.
One evening, while returning home from a baseball game on the team bus, Bobby and his brother didn't follow the rest of the players into a restaurant for dinner. They simply couldn't afford it. That night, the generosity of one man set into motion Bobby's ambition to always pay it forward—to his friends, his coworkers, his family. Today, Herrera is cofounder and president of Populus Group and the author of The Gift of Struggle, a book about leadership and the life-changing lessons learned in working through the grind.
You don’t become the CEO of a Fortune 200 company at the age of 42 without talent, self-confidence, and a clear vision for growth in market share and shareholder value. What makes Sol Trujillo legendary is that he brings that same competitive spirit and foresight to the project he now leads. Today, Trujillo is cofounder of L’Attitude and chair of the Latino Donor Collaborative (LDC), an immensely important role in which he ensures that Latinos take their rightful place in the family photo of America.
The New Majority (TNM) podcast highlights the leaders of our country’s new majority—one that is increasingly multicultural, increasingly diverse, and increasingly Latino. TNM amplifies the voices of Latino professionals who are not readily allowed a platform where their insights and stories can be heard. Even as the US Latino population increases every year, the demographic growth remains undervalued and underrepresented in corporate leadership positions and media coverage.
The New Majority is here to change that. Over the course of our limited podcast series, you'll hear from Latino innovators in both business and culture. Host Pedro A. Guerrero, publisher of Hispanic Executive, will interview leaders of the new majority about their career journeys and their lessons learned—and, in doing so, provide our audience with relevant industry advice and expertise. For a transcript of an episode of The New Majority, please email us.