S5 E19: ‘Buyer Aware’ author Marta L. Tellado: Latina CEO of Consumer Reports
Be sure to catch my chat with Consumer Reports CEO, Marta L. Tellado. (@consumerreports)This Latina boss is on fire with the release of her new book ‘Buyer Aware’ earlier this year! She has so much insight on the marketplace – some great info for all of us. If you use apps on your phone, don’t miss this episode.
“Came to the U.S. and grew up listening constantly to dinner conversations about our own democratic freedoms, what we had to do, our obligations to it…And I am here as the CEO of Consumer Reports. It is the largest consumer organization in the world…I believe the marketplace needs to be fair and transparent and just, so that we can realize our ambitions and our aspirations. And that’s been the path, and where I spend most of my time right now, fighting the good fight.”
S5 E18: What-A-Christmas Indeed with Alley Theatre
If you’re like many Latinos, then you know that the theatre has not always been the most popular within our Hispanic community. But, the Alley Theatre is trying to change that with their new HIT show, What-A-Christmas, written, directed, and starring Latinos! In today’s new episode, I sit down with Elena Valladolid-Rivera from the Alley Theatre, and we talk about their diversity initiative and how she came to work in the theatre business in Houston. Listen now, and then grab your amigas and go check out What-A-Christmas!
S5 E17: Getting More Latinas into the Boardroom with Esther Aguilera
I had the pleasure of sitting down with President and CEO of Latino Corporate Directors Association (LCDA), Esther Aguilera. We talked about her humble beginnings as the child of immigrants and the very important work she’s doing empowering and training the next generation of Latinos in the corporate world. “I think it was certainly college, like for many of us, was a pivot point…I felt very self-conscience about my accent and so many different things that I felt like the odd one out. But…when you put yourself in new or challenging roles or things where you might be outside your comfort level, I think that’s where we grow the most. We’re sponges, we absorb, we adapt. And I think that’s a great quality for Latinas and Latinos.”
S5 E16: Anjelica in Bentonville – Vlogging Experience
Recently I was “home alone” in a completely other state by myself for the most part, and it was the first time I have ever done that. I wanted to document the experience to share with you all and to be able to go back to this experience in the future. I hope you’ll join me in listening to this experience with me.
S5 E15: Conversations With My Friends – Tony Waller
For my second episode of Conversations With My Friends I couldn’t think of another better guest than my good friend Tony Waller. Tony not only has the great distinction of being an executive for the world’s largest retailers, but he is also a dear friend. Wait until you hear what he has to share!
I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Latina badass and financial expert, Vice President and Houston Community Manager at JP Morgan Chase, Melissa Vela.
“…There are some excellent people at that bank and they’ve made me grow so much. He was one of them…He was the first one to say, ‘You’re good enough. You’re worth it. You don’t have to be anything but your authentic self’…And from then on I stopped being so polished, and I just started being ‘Mel,’ Melissa. I just started being me…”
We talked about finances in our community and the pressure on women in our culture to be silent vs. speaking up and advocating for ourselves. Prepare to be inspired!
Listen to this latest episode of the Latina Leadership series right now on your podcast listening platform of choice. Just click the link in my bio to find it!
Lourdes Rosado is the President and General Counsel of Latino Justice, a nonprofit which serves Latinos across the U.S., and they also happen to be celebrating their 50th anniversary this year with various public events (find them at www.latinojustice.org)! Lourdes has been trailblazing as a civil rights litigator for the past 25+ years with a passion for social justice and a love for journalism. She’s a native New Yorker and first generation Cuban-American and Puerto Rican. Listen as we talk about how she is fighting for Latino justice across the U.S.!
S5 E12: Creating Opportunities Within Latina Communities with Melissa McDonald
Melissa McDonald is Chief Operating Officer of La Raza Development Fund where she helps connect U.S. Latinos to valuable resources to help them achieve their goals and business dreams. However, at the core of her commitment to this work is a deep belief in the spirit and tenacity of Latinas. We talk about it on this new episode of the Latina Leadership Series. Tune in now!
S5 E11: The Business of Funny with @Estefisaavy
She’s the funny woman that’s won thousands of hearts on social media with her hilarious and endearing videos. When Estefania Saavedra set out to start a social media presence, however, she had no idea it would become the runaway success it is today. I was thrilled to sit down with her as part of the Latina Leadership Series to talk about the business of being funny!
S5 E10: Spoiled Latina Summit 2022
This event was packed with so much positive energy and excitement for being together. I was excited to return to the annual Spoiled Latina Summit put on annually by my amiga Yvonne Guidry – better known as Spoiled Latina online – earlier this summer. During the event I also had a chance to speak to several of the Latinas in attendance, and what they had to share was so inspirational and funny. Take a listen to our conversations in this episode and let me know what you think!
S5 E9: Latina Leadership Series at NHPO LIVE
This summer I had the chance to attend NHPO Houston’s Membership Drive and Board Placement event in Houston to speak to Latinas LIVE and in person at the event about, of course, leadership. The conversations were inspiring and informative. Take a listen, and let me know who we should bring back for a more in-depth conversation. Thank you ladies for all your energy and charisma!
S5 E8: Conversations With My Friends – Amanda Hewitt
Ladies and gentlemen, I am so excited to share with you all a brand new series that I am kicking off today with my good friend Amanda Hewitt. Amanda and I met several years ago as bloggers and we have remained friends ever since. We may not always see eye to eye on everything, but we respect each other enough to respect each other’s perspectives.
Elizabeth Caro’s jewelry is quickly gaining momentum among fashionistas and those in the know, and recently the Houston designer sat down with us as part of the Latina Leadership Series. Take a moment to be inspired both by her unique story and her take on creating unique jewelry that’s timeless and chic.
Maydi Adler is a public relations manager for the nonprofit organization Chicanos Por La Causa in Houston, Texas, where she supports community development, health and human resources, economic development, and education. During our conversation she shared what motivates her to continue serving our community, as well as how her path collided with this impactful organization.
Ada Ortega has built her career in public service. Currently, as Press Secretary for Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner she has been at the forefront during some of the most critical times in our recent history, and she has leant her communications expertise to support the fourth-largest city in the United States. As a Latina, Ada joins this leadership series to share her path to public life and her perspective as a Latina in leadership!
S5 E4: Yvonne Guidry, Spoiled Latina
Yvonne Guidry is the founder of the online platform that is a runaway hit, SpoiledLatina.com. Her annual women’s empowerment summit known as the Spoiled Latina Summit is coming up this weekend, and she took a few moments to share with me why she is so excited to continue growing her platform – both for herself and for others.
As a Miss Texas Plus America contestant representing Houston in the national Miss Plus America pageant, Nikki Levario-Canchola is proud to dispel some of the often hurtful and misguided beliefs about body image. She believes women don’t have to conform to popular body standards to be the best versions of themselves, and she joins me on this episode to share her perspective and journey into the Miss Plus beauty world.
She’s an educator and an entrepreneur with a passion for making education attainable for all. Through her nonprofit, The Courage to Bee, Inc., Kerlin is able to provide school supplies, technology, and skill-building workshops to underserved families. In addition, she is preparing to become a school principal. Get to know this powerhouse Latina on this episode of the Latina Leadership Series.
Elvia Quintanilla is a powerhouse. At her young age, this Latina entrepreneur has founded Texas Technical Trade School where she is creating tuition-free educational opportunities for students interested in pursuing careers in trade fields that are in-demand. Prepare to be excited and motivated by Elvia’s dynamic energy!