Community Impact

Claudette Soto in plain sight
Claudette Soto Builds Up Chicago Communities and Talent

Through her mission-driven construction management firm baso, Claudette Soto is changing the environment to better serve its people

David Ricca. Street Soccer USA
David Ricca: From Soccer Star to Community Champion

Soccer saved his life, and now David Ricca champions the sport’s power to transform lives and communities through organizations like Street Soccer USA

Christina Gandia-Gambale and Jennifer Gandia
How the Gandia Sisters Took Up the Jewelry Mantle

Co-owners Jennifer Gandia and Christina Gandia-Gambale continue the family legacy at Greenwich St. Jewelers—and uplift other marginalized talent in the jewelry design space

Josh Smith. Veteran Benefits Guide
Josh Smith Is on the Veteran Benefits Front Lines

An inside look at how veteran Josh Smith at Veteran Benefits Guide is helping other service members fight for the disability benefits they have earned

Isidro Ramos | Veronica Montemayor. Valley Initiative-for Development and Advancement
How VIDA Creates American Success Stories

VIDA continues to bring hope, jobs, and education to the people of the Rio Grande Valley, thanks in part to Isidro Ramos and Veronica Montemayor

Joel Silva. Vallarta Supermarkets
Joel Silva Helps Vallarta Supermarkets Plan for Expansion

CFO Joel Silva believes that Vallarta’s focus on its employees, community, and customers will bring the family-owned chain into a new era

Karla Kannan. BirchStreet Systems
Karla Kannan Believes in the Value of Community

Karla Kannan of BirchStreet Systems leads by embracing her cultural background and building strong connections, both at work and in her community

Philip Catron. NaturaLawn of America
Philip Catron Lives a Green American Dream

With a passion for environmentally friendly lawn care, Philip Catron founded NaturaLawn of America and created opportunities for franchisees to follow in his footsteps

Michael Alicea. Trellix
Michael Alicea Breaks Barriers and Creates Opportunities

How visionary HR leader Michael Alicea has redefined success and shown his community what’s possible

Nilson Pepen
Nilson “Junior” Pepén Is the Red Sox’s Spanish-Language Voice

Play-by-play announcer Nilson “Junior” Pepén shares the move he made for love and how he found his niche within sports broadcasting in Boston

Carmen Candelaria
Carmen Arrieta-Candelaria Fulfills Her Own Promise to the Public

Carmen Arrieta-Candelaria reflects on family and a passion for service that has made her a public education advocate at Fort Worth Independent School District

Juan Alexander Concepción
Juan Alexander Concepción Pushes for Systemic Change

Juan Alexander Concepción has been on a lifelong journey to solve systemic problems plaguing Black and Brown communities, a journey he continues at Boston Scientific

Ray Casas Texas Rangers
Why Ray Casas Loves His Role at the Texas Rangers Baseball Club

Director of Community Impact Ray Casas shares his career journey and the guiding tenets that got him where he is now

Angie Valdes Knows That It Takes a Village to Build One

Angie Valdes celebrates her own career accomplishments and gives thanks to the support systems that enabled her success

We must work with, and across, Human Differences

Dr. Patricia Arredondo paves the way for multicultural counseling and psychology, as the campus president of The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

Tuning Into the Good Doctora

Angel de la Radio, Dr. Isabel Gomez-Bassols, sat down with HE to talk about giving advice and staying sane in the business of listening to desperate calls.

Elsa Murano

Dr. Elsa Murano was the first woman and Hispanic president of Texas A&M University, a post she held until 2009. The position was the latest in a line of trailblazing career moves.

The Silent Partner

LISTA’s Jose Marquez-Leon opens minds and doors for Hispanics in the tech industry

The Impassioned Commitment of Maritza Montiel

Taking a page from Montiel’s book: the deputy CEO and vice chairman’s career, spanning 40 years with Deloitte, has been a slam dunk

Community Impact

Guest columnist Michael Slabic, CLU®, ChFC® leads the discussion this month on how community relationships help foster business connections for Hispanic professionals