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Many Latina CEOS have worked hard to overcome challenges and break barriers in the business world, and have reached the top positions in companies. They bring unique ideas and perspectives to their companies, showing that diversity can lead to success. These CEOs are not only important for their business achievements, but also serve as role models for young girls everywhere, especially those who share the dream of making a big impact in the world of business.
1. Carla Vernón
The Honest Company
Carla Vernón’s genesis as CEO of The Honest Company in January 2023 marked a historic moment. She became the first Afro-Latina CEO to lead a US publicly traded company, coming at a time when the call for diverse representation in executive positions grows louder amongst corporate leadership.
When Vernón joined, her direction signaled a shift towards inclusivity, aligning perfectly with her company’s commitment to serve a consumer base as varied as its product offerings. Charged with the mission to encourage conscious living, Vernón is steering the Honest brand, focused on expanding product categories, fostering innovation, and enhancing profitability.
Vernón’s career journey is a tapestry of significant profit and loss leadership roles—a testament to her expertise in driving growth and innovation. Before her current leadership at Honest, she played a pivotal role at Amazon, managing vital consumer product categories and overseeing their technology development. Her impressive tenure at General Mills included over twenty years of progressive responsibility, culminating in her role as the operating unit president of the natural and organic division.
Her academic background includes a bachelor’s degree in ecology and evolutionary biology from Princeton University and an MBA from Texas McCombs School of Business. Her active involvement with her alma mater as a member of the Princeton Board of Trustees reflects her dedication to education and service.
Vernón’s leadership at Honest isn’t just a company shift, but rather serves as a beacon of progress in the ongoing narrative of advancing diversity and representation in the business world.
2. Lidiane Jones
Bumble Inc
Lidiane Jones’ ascension to the helm of Bumble Inc. as CEO in January 2024 represented a significant milestone in the company’s trajectory. When she stepped into her new role, she added a strategic edge to Bumble, enriched by her substantial tenure of over twenty-five years in product development. Her passion for harnessing technology and innovation is not merely theoretical; it is a demonstrated commitment to fostering strong and healthy connections. This vision is brought to life by the multifaceted team she directs at Bumble—a team characterized by its diversity and united by their shared goal of redefining the landscape of relationships.
Jones’ professional narrative before Bumble showcases an assortment of leadership and technological acumen. As the former CEO of Slack Technologies, she was pivotal in steering the company after its acquisition by Salesforce, ensuring a seamless transition while simplifying and enhancing productivity in the workplace. Her leadership extended beyond the integration, breathing life into the platform’s purpose.
Jones’ executive stints at Salesforce, as executive vice president and general manager for digital experiences and commerce cloud, further established her as a visionary. She helped transform customer interactions into personalized experiences as executive vice president and general manager for digital experiences, laying the groundwork for sustainable growth.
Beyond the corporate sphere, Jones channels her leadership in the educational sector, serving as a trustee at the Shady Hill School. She previously served as a director at Compass Working Capital and a board observer at Astound Commerce. An educational foundation in computer science from the University of Michigan forms the bedrock of her expertise, expanded through almost thirteen years of product development work at Microsoft Corporation.
Her journey reflects a relentless pursuit to innovate, with a clear-eyed focus on developing products that resonate deeply with user needs and social progress.
3. Priscilla Almodovar
Fannie Mae
Priscilla Almodovar, esteemed for her comprehensive expertise in the realm of America’s housing finance system, currently leads Fannie Mae as its first Latina CEO. She is also the only current Latina CEO of a Fortune 500 company, and our Leading Latinas 2024 cover star.
Her role extends beyond executive leadership, as she actively participates on Fannie Mae’s Board of Directors, contributing notably to the Community, Responsibility, and Sustainability Committee. Almodovar’s responsibilities at Fannie Mae encompass a broad range of critical functions, including the formulation and execution of the firm’s strategic vision, risk management, and innovation. Central to her leadership philosophy is the implementation of diversity and inclusion throughout the company.
Before her tenure at Fannie Mae, Almodovar was the president and CEO of Enterprise Community Partners, a national entity focused on augmenting the availability of affordable housing, advocating for racial equity, and mobilizing capital to foster impactful social change. Her career journey also includes a stint at JPMorgan Chase, where she served as managing director and co-head of real estate banking, working with a wide range of real estate developers, investors, owners, and investment funds.
Apart from her corporate responsibilities, Almodovar dedicates her time to various board memberships, including Realty Income (NYSE: O), a Real Estate Investment Trust, and New York Road Runners, an organization that promotes health and inspiration through running.
Her academic credentials are as impressive as her professional achievements, holding a bachelor’s degree from Hofstra University and a Juris Doctor from Columbia University School of Law, underpinning her extensive career with a solid educational foundation.
Read Priscilla Almodovar’s Leading Latinas Cover Feature
4. María Teresa Kumar
Voto Latino
María Teresa Kumar‘s tenure as the founding president and CEO of Voto Latino has marked a significant impact on political participation and advocacy within the Latino community. Since 2004, she has been instrumental in generating over $75 million to grow the organization, cementing its status as the preeminent US Latino voter registration and advocacy group.
Her efforts have led to the registration of over 601,330 new voters. The 2020 election saw a historic high of 32 million eligible Latino voters, and Kumar’s strategic focus that June was exceptionally notable, registering more than 100,000 Latino voters.
Kumar’s innovative approach leverages technology, social media, and the influence of celebrities, resonating powerfully with a younger, vibrant demographic—exemplified by the Hispanic community’s median age of just 29.5 years compared to 40.6 for non-Hispanics. Her success has positioned her as one of the most creative minds in global business.
An Emmy-nominated, MSNBC contributor, Kumar maintains a deep commitment to social issues, which is reflected in her extensive reporting from the field, including her coverage of the child internment camps at the US border and advocating for justice in healthcare and education. Her dynamic presence on the global stage and her innovative use of digital platforms have inspired transformative change, earning her recognition as an influential female figure in Washington and a trusted voice in national conversations on equity and reform.
Read María Teresa Kumar’s 2020 Leading Latinas Feature
5. Nina Vaca
Pinnacle Group
Nina Vaca is the embodiment of entrepreneurial spirit and a beacon for social change. Her journey to CEO and chairman at Pinnacle Group is a testament to the American Dream, showcasing how determination and a dynamic vision can lead to extraordinary achievements.
As a pioneering Latina in business, Vaca has not only carved a path for herself but also set an example for future generations. Founding Pinnacle Group in 1996, Vaca has demonstrated unwavering dedication, guiding the firm from a modest IT staffing company to a global workforce solutions leader. Under her leadership, Pinnacle Group has consistently appeared on the Inc. 500/5000 list of fastest-growing companies and earned recognition as the fastest-growing women-owned and women-led company by the Women’s Presidents’ Organization.
Vaca’s foresight in embracing technological advancements has been instrumental in Pinnacle’s success, notably with the creation of the Progata Talent Platform, which leverages machine learning to match talent with opportunity.
Beyond Pinnacle Group, Vaca’s influence extends to philanthropy and community involvement. Her altruistic efforts support a spectrum of causes, from aiding disabled veterans and the homeless to empowering students in Title I schools with career trainings and internships. Her focus on enhancing science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) opportunities for girls and advocation for Hispanic women’s representation in business is a testament to her inclusive vision.
Honored with honorary doctorates from Northwood University, Mount Mary University, and Berkley College, Vaca is also lauded as the youngest Distinguished Alumna in Texas State University history. Her academic pursuits, including her tenure at Harvard University and Henry Crown fellowship at the Aspen Institute, further underline her commitment to lifelong learning and mentorship. As a champion for increasing Latina representation on corporate boards, Vaca is not just breaking barriers but also reshaping the boardroom landscape.
6. Dorene C. Dominguez
Vanir
Dorene C. Dominguez has been at the helm of Vanir since 2004, serving as both chairwoman and CEO. She carries forward the vision of her father, who founded the company in 1964, transforming Vanir into a national frontrunner in program, project, and construction management, as well as real estate development. Her stewardship has not only cemented her father’s legacy, but also expanded the company’s reach and reputation in the field.
Beyond her role at Vanir, Dominguez is deeply involved in educational and corporate governance. She holds a trusteeship at the University of Notre Dame, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in finance. She serves on multiple boards and councils, including the kb Home Board and Douglas Emmett, Inc Board. She also actively participates in the Aspen Institute’s Latinos and Society Program Advisory Council. In 2023, she was honored with an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from the Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration at California State University, San Bernardino, recognizing her significant contributions to business and community service.
Her commitment to education and community development is further highlighted by her involvement with The Dominguez Dream, a nonprofit organization focused on empowering children in underserved communities through STEAM programs.
7. Linda Alvarado
Alvarado Construction
Linda Alvarado is a paragon of excellence and a pioneer in the construction industry, bringing over three-and-a-half decades of expertise to Alvarado Construction as its president and CEO. Her company has garnered a formidable reputation for undertaking and adeptly executing large-scale, multi-million-dollar projects that span commercial development, government, and institutional general contracting, construction management, design and build, and program management contracts.
Alvarado’s rich experience has equipped her with an unmatched proficiency in navigating the complex landscape of major construction ventures, establishing her as a venerated figure within the industry.
Furthermore, her penchant for transcending traditional roles is most prominently illustrated by her historic venture into the world of sports. As the first Hispanic owner of a major league baseball franchise, regardless of gender, Alvarado became a trailblazer with her investment in the Colorado Rockies. She also became the first woman in Major League Baseball to make a bid to own a team.
Alvarado’s remarkable career has earned her a litany of accolades, including the prestigious honor of being named one of the 100 Most Influential Hispanics in America by Hispanic Business Magazine. She has also been immortalized in the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 2003 for her exemplary achievements and leadership. Her continued success in business and her fervent community involvement have rightly anointed her as a leader and a source of inspiration for many.
Read Linda Alvardo’s 2018 Top 10 Líderes Cover Feature
8. Rosa Santana
Santana Group
Rosa Santana, the founder and CEO of the Santana Group, exemplifies success in the realm of minority- and woman-owned business enterprises. Her bicultural background, emigrating from Mexico to the US at age five, significantly contributed to her influence within the US/Mexico outsourcing industry. Her dedication to her community and her entrepreneurial spirit have been instrumental in creating thousands of jobs across the US and Mexico, boosting the economic prosperity of the areas she serves.
Santana’s professional journey is marked by early achievements, beginning her career at Fortune 500 company where she made a profound impact by responding effectively to client needs and expanded the company’s operations into Mexico. This success led her to a senior leadership position and later to an executive role at an international services company, where she again established Mexican operations while leading US divisions.
Her success is rooted not only in her business acumen but also in her commitment to continuous learning, evidenced by her completion of executive programs at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth University and the Kellogg School of Business at Northwestern University. As a testament to her impact, Santana has received numerous accolades, including the 2020 Minority Business Development Agency’s National Distinguished Supplier Diversity Award and the 2019 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Award in Central Texas.
9. Katia Beauchamp
Victoria Beckham Beauty
Katia Beauchamp was named CEO of Victoria Beckham Beauty in 2022. She was a co-founder and CEO of Birchbox, a beauty subscription service best known for redefining the way people shop for beauty and grooming products. With millions of customers and over 300 brand partners, the Latina leader revolutionized the way people consume in the beauty and wellness industry at Birchbox. Now, she brings that skillset to her work at Victoria Beckham Beauty, accelerating business growth and a building brand presence to last as a leader in luxury beauty.
Beauchamp’s background in education shows she earned a bachelor’s degree in international studies and economics from Vassar College before getting an MBA from Harvard Business School. She also serves on the board for Cosmetic Executive Women, which she has been a member of since 2015, and is a former board member of Mission Advancement Corp.
She is a pioneer in the beauty business market and has been honored with accolades, including Advertising Age Women to Watch, CEW Achievers Award, Fortune 40 Under 40, Inc. 30 Under 30, Marie Claire’s New Guard, WWD Digital Innovator of the Year, and YMA Fashion’s Entrepreneur of the Year.
10. Liliana Gil Valletta
CULTURE+ GROUP
Liliana Gil Valletta, cofounder and CEO of Culture+ Group, is a beacon of inspiration in the entrepreneurial world and a trailblazer in cultural intelligence and AI technology innovation.
She came to the US without speaking English at seventeen and worked her way up the corporate ladder. She spent nine years at Johnson & Johnson before pivoting to create woman-owned and minority-owned Culture+ Group, the parent company for CIEN+ and CulturIntel (now Human Dot Plus). These firms stand at the forefront of leveraging big data analytics in crafting business and marketing strategies that capitalize on cultural trends and inclusivity, thereby driving profitability for their Fortune 500 clients and global corporations.
Valletta’s expertise has not gone unnoticed; she frequently shares her insights on major television networks like Fox News, Fox Business, and CNN en Español, and her thought leadership has been acknowledged in Forbes, CNN Money, The Huffington Post, and TEDx Talk.
Her contributions to the entrepreneur industry have been lauded with numerous accolades, such as the US Hispanic Chamber of Congress Hispanic Businessperson of the Year. Beyond her business achievements, Valletta is deeply committed to supporting minority and women business concerns, guiding initiatives at the United Nations, the White House, and the World Economic Forum. Her dedication is further evidenced by her roles with Harvard Kennedy School’s Women’s Leadership Board, YMCA USA, and Stanford Graduate School of Business’s Latino Entrepreneur Leaders Program.
11. Sylvia Banderas Coffinet
Latino Media Network
Sylvia Banderas Coffinet is the CEO of Latino Media Network (LMN), an influential media company passionately dedicated to supporting and celebrating Latinos. With a visionary approach, Coffinet adeptly steers various critical facets of the company, driving LMN towards greater success. LMN works to create cultural pride and cohesion within the Latino community by celebrating and elevating the community’s unique attributes. Under Coffinet’s leadership, LMN nurtures the belief that a united collective voice has the power to reshape the Latino community’s role both in the US and on the global stage.
Coffinet’s career is marked by over seventeen years of substantial experience in growing and monetizing top-tier media brands, building significant partnerships with brands like Ford, Toyota, L’Oreal USA, Estee Lauder, Macy’s, and Target to name a few. She integrates a diverse lens in her strategy, ensuring culture and diversity are seamlessly woven into marketing campaigns.
Recognized for her exceptional leadership and impact in media, Coffinet has been celebrated as a Trailblazing Latina Executive in Media by Forbes and was named one of Hispanic Executive‘s Top 10 Líderes in 2020. A graduate of Columbia University with a degree in Latino studies and Spanish literature, Coffinet also holds credentials from Stanford University’s Publishing School for Professionals and a diversity and inclusion certification from Cornell University.
Read our 2024 Leading Latinas feature on Latino Media Network
12. Desiree Perez
Roc Nation
As founder and CEO of Roc Nation, Desiree Perez has been pivotal in helping transform Jay-Z’s vision into a sprawling business empire since 2009. Under Perez’s leadership, Roc Nation has expanded its scope from being just a record label, music publisher, and management agency to a multifaceted company deeply involved in community engagement and employment.
She has played a crucial role in every major deal in the past decade while efficiently managing the day-to-day operations of Roc Nation. Her extensive involvement spans Jay-Z’s music career milestones, including platinum records and sold-out tours.
Perez’s influence extends across various sectors, including her crucial responsibility to manage high-profile artists. Her strategic vision led to the foundation of Roc Nation Sports, where she secured a landmark endorsement deal for Kevin Durant with Nike. Beyond the music and sports world, Perez has made significant inroads in the luxury liquor market, playing a key role in the success of D’USSÉ Cognac and Armand de Brignac champagne, securing a lucrative partnership with Moët Hennessy.
In addition to her business accomplishments, Desiree Perez also heads Team Roc, the philanthropic arm of Roc Nation. She is a staunch advocate for social justice, providing legal support to families, challenging prison systems, and championing prison reform. Her efforts include leading a lawsuit against inhumane conditions in Mississippi’s Parchman State Penitentiary and advocating for Meek Mill’s release from prison, contributing significantly to the formation of the Reform Alliance (an organization that fights for prison and probation reform).
Perez’s leadership embodies a commitment to giving a voice to the voiceless and creating platforms for addressing critical social issues.
13. Maria Montano
Gerber Childrenswear LLC
Maria Montano was named president and CEO of Gerber Childrenswear in 2018 after a long line of executive leadership roles at big companies like Univision, Nike, Bugaboo, and Britax Child Safety. A highly accomplished executive with a penchant for driving business growth and meeting the customer where they are, Montano is a rockstar when it comes to strategic planning and marketing, transforming the companies she works with for the better.
Montano graduated from Stanford University with a bachelor’s degree in economics and holds an MBA in marketing and organizational behavior from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. She has also served on a myriad of boards, including the Triangle Red Cross, North Carolina Community Colleges Hispanic/Latino Initiative, El Pueblo, and Triangle United Way.
14. Gilda Perez-Alvarado
Orient Express (former JLL Hotels & Hospitality)
Gilda Perez-Alvarado stands as a prominent figure in the global hospitality industry, currently holding the position of group chief strategy officer at Accor SA, Europe’s largest hospitality company. Accor SA is known for its extensive portfolio, managing, franchising, and investing in an array of hotels, resorts, vacation properties, and hospitality concepts across the globe.
With her base in Paris, Perez-Alvarado’s role encompasses managing global strategy, nurturing relationships with owners, and fostering strategic partnerships. In addition to these responsibilities, Gilda also excels as the CEO of Orient Express, a distinguished ultra-luxury division of Accor, which features an exclusive collection of trains, yachts, and hotels.
Perez-Alvarado earned her executive MBA from Instituto de Empresa (IE Business School) in Madrid, Spain after graduating with honors from Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration, with a specialization in hotel real estate finance. A firm believer in the value of furthering education, Perez-Alvarado has participated in executive education courses at renowned institutions, including INSEAD, Stanford School of Business, and the University of Cambridge, focusing on competitive strategy, leadership, and sustainability.
15. Dany Garcia
The Garcia Companies
Dany Garcia is the CEO and cofounder of The Garcia Companies, the parent company to production company Seven Bucks Production, professional sports league XFL, luxury lifestyle brand GSTQ, energy drink Zoa, and tequila brand Teremana. She serves as chairwoman of the XFL and became the only woman in the US to have majority ownership of major sports franchise.
The longtime business partner of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Garcia has left a lasting legacy in effective business and media brand management—with a prosperous future to come.
While the next two Latinas may not hold the title of CEO, they are leading their organizations as senior executives and making big waves in the Latino community.
Michelle Freyre
The Estée Lauder Companies
Michelle Freyre is the president of The Estée Lauder Companies and leads with grace, backed by twenty-five years of proven leadership. She has a formidable reputation for steering organizations towards industry-leading results and instilling a culture that is passionate about growth.
Her expertise is diverse yet profound, encompassing revenue acceleration, profit and loss management, brand enhancement, strategic channel development, manufacturing, and adherence to compliance standards. Notably adept in both flourishing and challenging corporate landscapes, she has consistently delivered turnarounds and demonstrated a knack for breakthrough innovation strategy.
Freyre’s strategic prowess lies in formulating and executing long-term plans, fostering commercial growth, pioneering solutions, and upholding operational and compliance excellence.
Beyond her devotion to organizational success, she is committed to nurturing talent and advocating for diversity and inclusion. This dedication has not gone unrecognized, as she was named one of Fortune’s Top 50 Most Powerful Latinas in Business consecutively in 2018 and 2019, celebrated as a 2018 Working Mother of the Year, and listed among the Top 10 2017 LATINA Corporate Executives of the Year. People En Español also recognized her as one of the twenty-five most influential women in 2017.
Susan Santiago
Hyatt Hotels Corporation
Named as president of Hyatt Hotels and Corporation, US and Canada, this past January, Susan Santiago has been a crucial tenet to developing the Hyatt enterprise since joining the company in 2006. Her devotion to continuous growth, operational excellence, and performance optimization marks her as an influential Latina leader with the experience to match, working to close the gender gap in the hospitality industry.
As a graduate from Florida International University, Santiago gained critical experience in business operations and leadership for over almost two decades.
This article was written with the assistance of AI.
