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Afro-Latinos have long been at the forefront of leadership, innovation, and cultural transformation, yet their contributions are often overlooked or unknown. This Black History Month, we’re celebrating sixteen Afro-Latino executives who are not only breaking barriers in their respective industries but also shaping the future through advocacy, mentorship, and strategic vision.
From Fortune 500 boardrooms to venture capital, media, and technology, these trailblazers are redefining leadership and inspiring the next generation. Their leadership exemplifies resilience, excellence, and the power of representation—celebrating the intersection of Black and Latino identities in corporate America and beyond.
1. Carla Vernón, The Honest Company
Carla Vernón is the CEO and board director of the Honest Company, making history as one of the first Afro-Latina CEOs of a US publicly traded company. With a track record of driving business transformation and growth at Amazon and General Mills, she now leads Honest’s enterprise strategy while championing sustainability and diversity in personal care.
Mark your calendars for March, when Carla Vernón joins season 7 of The Latino Majority!
2. Megan Hogan, Goldman Sachs
Megan Hogan is the global head of talent and chief diversity officer at Goldman Sachs, where she leads strategies to develop, retain, and grow diverse talent. A former litigation associate with a strong commitment to pro bono work, she also serves as chair of the Stephen Gaynor School’s Board of Trustees and advises organizations focused on racial justice and education.
Listen to Megan Hogan on The Latino Majority podcast
3. Julio Portalatin, Board Director
Julio Portalatin is an independent board director at State Street Corp, ServPro, and TIH Insurance, following a distinguished career as vice chair of Marsh & McLennan Companies. Previously, he served as president and CEO of Mercer, leading its global human capital and workforce solutions across more than one hundred countries.
Read Julio Portalatin’s Best of the Boardroom Feature
4. Cid Wilson, HACR
Cid Wilson is the president and CEO of the Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility (HACR), where he leads efforts to advance Hispanic inclusion in corporate America. A nationally recognized expert in executive DEI, he brings over thirty years of Wall Street and corporate finance experience to his advocacy and serves on multiple corporate, nonprofit, and governmental advisory boards, including a presidential appointment to the Commission on Advancing Educational Equity for Hispanics.
Read Cid Wilson’s Guest Editor Letter from Hispanic Executive’s Social Good Issue
5. Lori Montenegro, Telemundo
Lori Montenegro is the Washington, DC, Bureau Chief for Telemundo, bringing over two decades of experience as a national correspondent covering politics, elections, immigration, and Latino issues. A respected journalist recognized with numerous awards, including the 2020 First Amendment Clarity Award, she continues to be a leading voice in political reporting and advocacy for Latino communities.
Watch Lori Montenegro’s Interview with the National Press Foundation
6. Arturo Nuñez, AIE CREATIVE
Arturo Nuñez is the CEO and founder of AIE CREATIVE, crafting immersive brand experiences, and serves on the boards of Abercrombie & Fitch Co., the Estée Lauder Companies, and the NBA Players Association. A former marketing executive at Nubank, Apple, Nike, and the NBA, he is a cultural strategist, entrepreneur, and cofounder of Black Joy Thrive’s Black Men’s Retreat, as well as a co-owner of Dante’s HiFi and Chulita Mexican Restaurant.
Listen to Arturo Nuñez on The Latino Majority podcast
7. Rosevelie Márquez Morales, Hogan Lovells
Rosevelie Márquez Morales is the chief diversity officer for the Americas at Hogan Lovells, leading strategic initiatives to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion across the US, Mexico, and Brazil. A former litigation partner, she is also an adjunct professor at Fordham Law and serves in leadership roles with the Hispanic National Bar Association, ASPIRA of NY, and the Fordham Law Alumni Association.
Read Rosevelie Márquez’s Feature
8. Lucida Plummer, Evercore
Lucida Plummer is a managing director and chief diversity officer at Evercore, leading the firm’s diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy. With over twenty years of experience in HR and DEI at companies like JPMorgan Chase, MetLife, and Wyndham Worldwide, she also serves on the board of the NYC Police Athletic League.
Listen to Lucida Plummer on The Will to Change podcast
9. Yrthya Dinzey-Flores, Warner Music Group
Yrthya Dinzey-Flores is a cross-sector leader specializing in philanthropy, social responsibility, and workplace inclusion, with leadership experience at Toyota, Warner Music Group, and the Open Society Foundation. A trailblazer as New York State’s first chief diversity officer, she serves on the boards of The Public Theater and Latino Victory Fund and advises Burberry and the London Stock Exchange Group on diversity initiatives.
Listen to Yrthya Dinzey-Flores on the Shift Happens podcast
10. José Tavarez, Bank of America
José Tavarez is the New York City president of Bank of America and vice chair of the Private Bank, where he leads strategic client partnerships across wealth management, global markets, and investment banking. With a twenty-seven-year career at Bank of America, he is also a dedicated advocate for diversity and inclusion, serving as the national co-executive sponsor of the bank’s Hispanic/Latino Organization for Leadership and holding leadership roles on multiple nonprofit and corporate boards.
Listen to José Tavarez on The Latino Majority podcast
11. Juan Alexander Concepción, Boston Scientific
Juan Alexander Concepción is cross-divisional counsel and director of employment at Boston Scientific, where he leads workplace compliance and strategic workforce management across the US, Canada, and beyond. A seasoned employment attorney and business litigator, he is also a dedicated advocate for racial equity, serving on the board of Lawyers for Civil Rights and cofounding the New Commonwealth Fund to combat systemic racism in Massachusetts.
Read Juan Alexander Concepción’s Feature
12. Rosanna Durruthy, LinkedIn
Rosanna Durruthy is the vice president of global diversity, inclusion, and belonging at LinkedIn, where she drives initiatives to empower employees, members, and customers to reach their full potential. A seasoned HR leader with experience at Cigna, Vivendi Universal, and Merrill Lynch, she is also an angel investor and advisor to startups, as well as a recognized thought leader in diversity and inclusion.
Listen to Rosanna Durruthy on The Latino Majority podcast
13. Paul Francisco, State Street
Paul Francisco is the chief diversity officer at State Street Corporation, where he leads global diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies and workforce development initiatives. A former executive search leader and consultant, he cofounded the New Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund, as well as the Dinner Group Inc., a networking organization for men of color.
14. Lizette Williams, Meta
Lizette Williams is a marketing executive and cultural strategist, currently serving as global head of business content marketing at Meta, where she leads global content strategy for business audiences. A recognized industry leader and Advertising Hall of Achievement inductee, she has held major marketing roles at McDonald’s, PepsiCo, and Kimberly-Clark, and serves on the boards of the Chicago Advertising Federation and Isagenix.
Read Lizette Williams’s The Alumni Society profile
15. Sandra Mosquera Vargas, JPMorgan Chase
Sandra Mosquera Vargas is a vice president and product manager at JPMorgan Chase’s API Marketplace, where she drives tech modernization, enhances API delivery, and mentors emerging talent. A proud Afro-Latina in tech, she is a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion, dedicating her efforts to empowering underrepresented communities through mentorship, education, and initiatives that create pathways for success in technology.
16. Miriam Rivera, Ulu Ventures
Miriam Rivera is the cofounder and managing director of Ulu Ventures, a seed-stage venture fund focused on enterprise startups, and a former vice president and deputy general counsel at Google. A Stanford-educated attorney and entrepreneur, she is a leader in venture capital, startup governance, and impact investing, serving on multiple Stanford boards and the Investment Committee of Acumen Fund America.
Watch Miriam Rivera’s Forbes 50 Over 50 Interview
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This article was written with the assistance of AI.
