Trailblazing Women in Business and Nonprofits

Written by Vanessa Flores, MBA ??

Due to the contributions of trailblazing Latinas who have broken down barriers and reached significant milestones, the business and non-profit sectors have undergone a remarkable transformation over the years. This article celebrates the accomplishments of six exceptional Latinas who have led business and non-profit organizations, demonstrating their commitment, creativity, and leadership.??

During Hispanic Heritage Month and all year long, Hispanas Organized for Political Equality? (HOPE) recognizes and honors the extraordinary Latinas who have left an indelible mark in their respective disciplines and made history in the United States. We are proud to highlight the extraordinary journeys of these outstanding women, some of them alumnae of our HOPE Leadership Institute (HLI) which equips Latinas to lead in their local communities. These pioneers exemplify the transformative influence of Latinas on society. Learn more about these history-making women and join HOPE's social media channels as we highlight their stories.?

Anna Maria Chávez First Latina to serve as the CEO of the Girl Scouts?

Anna Maria Chávez, was the first woman of color to serve as CEO of Girl Scouts of USA, helping bring the 104-year-old institution into the future with a historic girl-centric organizational redesign. Born in Eloy, Arizona, on June 9, 1968, Anna Maria has devoted her career to women's leadership, youth development, and advocacy, empowering young women to become capable, confident, and compassionate leaders.? In April 2017, Chávez joined the National Council on Aging (NCOA) as their Chief Strategy Officer and Senior Vice President, eventually becoming the Executive Vice President and Chief Growth Officer, and later served as NCOA's Interim President and CEO. In 2021, she was appointed Chief Impact Officer of Encantos and President of Encantos.org , earning recognition from Forbes as one of the 50 over 50 women leaders in June 2021 for her leadership in public education.?

Helen Torres HOPE Leadership Insitute Class of 1999 First Person to Serve as Chief Executive Officer of HOPE?

Helen Iris Torres is the first person to serve as Chief Executive Officer of HOPE, growing the nonprofit for the past 23 to be one of the leading Latina organizations in the U.S. Helen has strategically built a Latina Leadership and advocacy infrastructure in California, composed of thousands of civically engaged Latinas serving in elected and appointed office, as business, philanthropic, and community leaders. She has led coalitions in California that have advocated for the first Latina to serve on the California Public Utilities Commission, and the first Latina appointed to the California Supreme Court. Her efforts have resulted in over 1,700 prominent leadership positions being filled by Latinas. A dedicated public servant, Helen was raised outside of Detroit, Michigan by a single mother and was the first in her family to complete college. Her desire to fight for women's rights originates from witnessing the daily sexual and racial discrimination faced by her mother. Helen's story is part of history, and her leadership is an inspiration.?

Lupita Sanchez Cornejo, MPA HOPE Leadership Insitute Class of 2000 First Latina to lead the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce as Board Chair?

Lupita Sanchez Cornejo is the first Latina in the 100-year Los Angeles history of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce to serve as Board Chair. She oversees legislative and community affairs for the Greater Los Angeles area as AT&T's director of external affairs. Lupita is a former NALEO State Legislative Fellow and graduate of various leadership programs, such as Coro's Leadership Southern California and HOPE's Leadership Institute. In her role as Assistant Deputy Mayor, she had significant responsibilities related to the mayor's legislative agenda and community affairs. She has received multiple awards for her leadership and community involvement, including being named Corporate Leader of the Year by the National Latina Businesswomen’s Association and Mujer del A?o by the Regional Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Regional Hispanic Institute. She has been honored for her academic achievement, leadership, and community service. In her 18 years at AT&T, she has been instrumental in advancing the company's public policy and charitable initiatives. Lupita was part of the HOPE board and continuously supported the programming and efforts.?

Noramay Cadena HOPE Leadership Insitute Class of 2014?

Noramay Cadena is a multifaceted leader with experience in engineering, entrepreneurship, and venture capital. Her position as Managing Partner at Supply Change Capital and MiLA Capital demonstrates her investment expertise in the culinary, culture, and technology sectors. She possesses several degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), including an MBA, a Master's in Engineering Systems, and a Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering. Noramay is the primary investor in Portfolia's Rising America fund, which supports Latinx, Black, and LGBTQ founders, and serves on the advisory board of Homeboy Industries Ventures and Jobs Fund, which invests in businesses assisting in the job reentry process for formerly incarcerated individuals. She was named one of the top 50 women in global robotics and one of the top 100 influential Latinas in the United States in 2020. She has been featured in Forbes, Mashable, TechCrunch, and Entrepreneur Magazine, and has spoken at events such as TEDx and the World Summit on Innovation and Entrepreneurship.?

Cindy Montanez Youngest Person Ever Elected to The San Fernando City Council,?The Youngest Woman Ever Elected to The CA State Legislature, and The?First Latina CEO of an Environmental Organization in U.S. History?

Cindy Monta?ez 's journey is characterized by her rapid promotion in both her hometown and the state government. At the age of 25, she became the youngest woman ever elected to the California State Legislature after being elected as the youngest councilmember of San Fernando. In her career, she has also served as Assistant General Manager at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, where she contributed to the transition to healthier energy and sustainable local water supply. Cindy's dedication to the environment, sustainable urban planning, and social justice have permeated her public service. In 2016, she became the CEO of TreePeople, making her the first Latina CEO of an environmental organization in U.S. history. Cindy is currently a Board Member of the UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability and a Legislator in residence at the USC Jesse M. Unruh Institute of Politics.?

Elmy Bermejo HOPE Leadership Insitute Class of 1999?

We're delighted to honor Elmy as our 2023 Beacon of HOPE at our 34th Awards Dinner. With over 25 years of executive experience, she's made a profound impact in workforce development, disaster relief, and small business. An Inaugural 1999 HOPE Leadership Institute graduate, she has dedicated her career to making a difference and driving parity for Latinas. From serving as advisor and outreach director to the first woman Lieutenant Governor of California Eleni Kounalakis, to serving in the administrations of both Governor Gavin Newsom and President Barack Obama, she has broken barriers and paved the way for countless other Latina leaders. Currently, she was appointed by President Biden as Region IX Administrator for the US Small Business Administration,??

The achievements of these six pioneering Latinas in business and non-profit organizations attest to their commitment, leadership, and creativity. Their journeys serve as a source of motivation for others, demonstrating that anyone with determination and perseverance can overcome obstacles and make a lasting impact in their respective disciplines. As we celebrate these outstanding accomplishments, let us continue to encourage and enable people from all walks of life to pursue their ambitions and contribute to the improvement of society.?

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