NEXTGEN COLLECTIVE is proud to present our 30 Under 30 honorees of 2024.
Every leader has an origin story, and we are here to celebrate thirty exemplary professionals from across the United States who are making a name for themselves—while being unapologetically Latino.
These thirty individuals are the Trailblazers of Change. They are making significant strides to uplift their communities and create a lasting impact. Our honorees leverage their platforms to advocate for progress, set new standards, and pave the way for future generations.
Through their dedication and innovation, they are shaping their industries and inspiring others to follow in their footsteps, fostering a brighter and more inclusive future for all.
Presenting Partner
Supporting Partner
Supporting Partner
Meet the Honorees • Meet the Honorees • Meet the Honorees • Meet the Honorees • Meet the Honorees • Meet the Honorees • Meet the Honorees • Meet the Honorees •
Felida Villarreal
President and CEO
Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement (VIDA)
Nonprofit
Melina Acevedo
Project Development Manager, DESRI
Partnerships Lead, Latinxs in Sustainability
Energy
Where Are They Now? • Where Are They Now? • Where Are They Now? • Where Are They Now? • Where Are They Now? • Where Are They Now? • Where Are They Now? • Where Are They Now? • Where Are They Now? • Where Are They Now? • Where Are They Now? • Where Are They Now? •
Dan Segura
Consulting Solutions Manager
PwC
Briefly describe your journey since being recognized as part of the 30 Under 30 class.
What a year! I still have that period in my life etched in my memory as something I’m going to remember forever. The 30u30 award ceremony in New York marked a turning point in my life, as it not only brought recognition internally within PwC’s Consulting Solutions Platform but also propelled my personal brand to new heights. Being part of a global firm like PwC with 330k+ people and counting, the 30u30 recognition has enabled me to further drive our Purpose & Inclusion efforts through various avenues across our firm.
What accomplishments or milestones have you achieved in your career since then?
I finally made the decision to pursue the next chapter in my career and will be starting my MBA journey this fall at Northwestern Kellogg School of Management. Alongside my MBA candidacy at Kellogg and after the rigorous internal selection process, I was also selected by our firm’s US Leadership as a 2024 PwC Consulting Scholar, a full-ride scholarship award granted every year in our US firm, recognizing potential for the leadership track at PwC and will return post-MBA with a commitment to continue growing our US Consulting Solutions Platform.
What advice do you have for the incoming 30 under 30 class?
Your goals will change one hundred-plus times as you progress—both professionally and personally—and don’t be afraid to embrace that change! Just make sure whatever you do, your goals stay aligned with your value. Surround yourself with even stronger mentors and champions who hold those same values.
Paula Angarita Rivera
Principal Engineer, Nanomedicine–Targeted Delivery
Eli Lilly and Company
Briefly describe your journey since being recognized as part of the 30 Under 30 class.
After the 30 Under 30 event, my leadership at Eli Lilly and Company gave me the opportunity to participate in the Latino Leadership Intensive Program at Stanford University, where I acquired valuable leadership tools alongside other Latino professionals. Additionally, my SHPE Region 6 team organized a SHPEtina event, bringing together over thirty Latina engineers. I co-led an event called the “Indy Latino Connect,” where we gather four different Latino professional networks in Indianapolis—Prospanica, SHPE, NALHE, and ALPFA.
What accomplishments or milestones have you achieved in your career since then?
I successfully completed an R&D rotational program and recently stepped into the role of principal engineer within the Delivery Device & Connected Solutions organization at Eli Lilly and Company, where I am part of the team that is spearheading the targeted nanomedicine capabilities. My SHPE Region 6 team partnership with GE Appliances to create a SHPEtina scholarship, which provides financial assistance to Latina engineering students. Furthermore, I received the Nuestro Talento Award from a local nonprofit organization called SADCO.
What advice do you have for the incoming 30 under 30 class?
Your network is your net worth! The 30 Under 30 award provides a unique opportunity to connect with exceptional Latino professionals beyond your existing circle. Take the time to get to know them, inquire about their motivations, and stay connected. You never know when your paths might cross again.
Jonathan Meagher-Zayas
Founder and Chief Strategist
Equity Warrior Strategies
Briefly describe your journey since being recognized as part of the 30 Under 30 class.
It’s been officially over a year since I have been full-time consulting. My personal business, Equity Warrior Strategies, is on track to double our revenue this year and on track for multiyear success. In addition, I am on retainer for a nonprofit consulting firm, Cause Effective, that fuels movements led by Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and other communities of color leaders through board development and fundraising consulting. Lastly, I have been accepted and plan to start my Doctor of Education program at University at Buffalo this summer.
What accomplishments or milestones have you achieved in your career since then?
I have successfully cultivated a handful of consulting projects that have led to nonprofits all over the country advancing their diversity and equity goals. Last year, I was named on my local business journal’s Power List of LGBTQ+ Business Leaders.
What advice do you have for the incoming 30 under 30 class?
You are your best professional self, when you are your best personal self. Invest in self-care, healing, community building, and re-energizing.
Erica Riera
Associate Director, Strategic Partnerships
Sony Music Entertainment
Briefly describe your journey since being recognized as part of the 30 Under 30 class.
A highlight in my journey since then has been feeling more empowered to continue engaging with other rising professionals, industry leaders, and my local community. One example: The Creative Ladder, a nonprofit supporting the “new generation of leaders in creative industries,” invited me to share my insights in the field of brand partnerships as part of their Career Spotlight series on LinkedIn. They are an incredible organization that I have directly benefited from, and I felt encouraged that they reached out to ask me to participate, marking the first time I had done something like this.
What accomplishments or milestones have you achieved in your career since then?
At the time of recognition, I was in the process of transitioning to a new team at work with expanded responsibilities. I have since made three-and-a-half years with Sony Music and am continuing to grow professionally. My supervisor is supportive of my growth and invited me to speak briefly at the Sony Music Latin-Iberia convention in Miami where I shared insights about the performance of the brand partnerships division across our entire region.
What advice do you have for the incoming 30 under 30 class?
This distinction may be once in a lifetime, but doors will continue to open as you enter the next decade and beyond. Your fellow honorees can be a huge support system as you navigate life and your career and before you know it, people will be looking to you as a mentor rather than as a mentee. You got this—literally!
Credits • Credits • Credits • Credits • Credits
Editorial DirectorFrannie Sprouls
Senior EditorMelaina Cecilia de la Cruz
PhotoCass Davis
Design + Art DirectionArturo Magallanes
Social MediaRodrigo Cortés
Web DevelopmentJose Reinaldo Montoya
Selection CommitteeRoman Navarrette • Max Rivera • Gwen Aviles • Lyanne Alfaro • Corina Barreras • Vianni Lubus
Photo CreditsRa Tesquiré (Izek), Courtesy of Alana Meraz (Meraz), Sights & Sounds Studio (Paramo), Maria Trina Andrade (Ceballos), Courtesy of Berto Aguayo (Aguayo), Lauren Nieves (Marmol), Michael DeMarco & Caroline Henry (Serres), Cristina Vargas (Vargas Villanueva), Adam Bricker (Salcedo), Courtesy of Elvia Perez (Perez), Dulce Licona (Villareal), Courtesy of Courtesy of Fernando Fernandez (Fernandez), Courtesy of Shopify (Longo), Pamela Forero Lozano (Benites Torres), Juan Dromgoole (Dromgoole), Samantha Sanguino (Landaverde), Courtesy of Lucas Krupkin (Krupkin), ComePlum (Acevedo), BK Rose Studio (Nevarez), Courtesy of Omar Escamilla (Escamilla), Alex Canales (Ortega), Willie & Kim Photography (Ramirez), Courtesy of Sabrina Salomon (Salomon), Courtesy of Sam Garcia (Garcia), Win O’Neal/CCR Studios (Gomez), Otto Mejia (Molina), Sadé Fortuna (Rivera), Courtesy of Yaritza Vallejo (Vallejo), Christiani (Batista), Department of Education (Lima), Antonio Chapital (Angarita Rivera), Courtesy of PwC (Segura), Alessandro Martino (Riera), Jayana LaFotos (Jonathan Meagher-Zayas)
