We spoke with three Latino leaders, all LLI alumni, on the frontlines of philanthropy and asked them: As a Latino/a leader, what challenges and opportunities do you see in connecting communities to resources?
In her first contributed article for the Fast Company Executive Board, Joelle Martinez writes that bridging the opportunity gap and fostering the growth of the Latino economy isn’t just a moral imperative; it’s a sound business strategy.
Curious about Ignite, LLI’s leadership development program? Joelle Martinez and Tamara Vigil, Ignite graduate, sit down with Mile High Living at Denver7 to share why Ignite is part of the solution to closing the Latino leadership gap across sectors and industries.
Santo Alvarez steps into the hallways of CEC Early College at 6:45 a.m. where his daily, 12-hour sprint begins. Through careful planning, agile decision-making, and community connection, Santo forwards his personal mission to build success across generations.
Diane Garcia, LLI graduate, is shattering glass ceilings as the Chief People Officer at Congruex. With less than 1% of Latinas in executive roles among 12.8 million in the U.S. workforce, Diane’s unique perspective is crucial for future growth.
“We stand at a critical juncture for diversity, equity and inclusion in the long term,” Martinez said in her keynote address.
Without intervention, the Latino executive leadership gap is on track to increase to 600% by 2050.
The Latino Leadership Institute created Ignite to provide coaching and mentorship and to help its participants achieve their leadership potential.
“When you become a more powerful tax base, it’s much bigger than entrepreneurship, you get to address other inequities in your community,” Harry Hollines said.
“We know that business, small business ownership is one of the main vehicles to create wealth and intergenerational wealth and Latinos are significantly underrepresented.”