2023 Program Agenda

8:30 AM- 9:30 AM Registration Opens & Networking Breakfast

9:30 AM - 10:00 AM Welcome Presentation

  • Mistress of Ceremony: Danielle Banda, TV Host & Executive Producer, Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc.

  • Welcome Remarks: Robert E. Bard, President & CEO, LATINA Style, Inc.

  • Presenting Sponsor: Lory Burgos, Senior Consultant, Enterprise Diverse Marketing, Nationwide

  • Sponsor Remarks: Orlando Castaneda, Market Executive at JPMorgan Chase & Co.

  • Alamo Colleges District Remarks: Dr. Mike Flores, Chancellor of the Alamo Colleges District

10:00 AM – 10:20 AM Session 1: Managing Your Mindset (Workshop)

Session Introduction: Lisa Carrington Firmin, Colonel, USAF Retired, Carrington Firmin LLC

Speaker: Xavier Cano, President, Xavier Cano Coaching

Focus: Having a positive mindset is crucial in running a successful business. There are ways to cope with stress and negative emotions to ultimately become the best version of yourself and lead a happier life within your business and at home. This workshop will help the attendees recognize the most common cognitive distortions that trigger negative emotions and strategies for overcoming them.

10:20 AM – 10:30 AM Break

10:30 AM – 11:15 AM Session 2: Leveraging your Network, Resources, and Financial Equilibrium

Focus: This panel brings together a diverse group of professionals with extensive experience in assisting small businesses from understanding the landscape and resources to business bank lending, nonprofit lending, and government lending to small businesses. Our experts will share key resources to ensure you can start or scale your business successfully.

Moderator: Marina Gonzales, CEO of the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

  • Speaker: Monique McGillen, Executive Director, Area Manager, Chase for Business

  • Speaker: Annie M Hudspeth, Lender Relations Specialist, San Antonio District Office, SBA

  • Speaker: Martha “Victoria” Valdez, BIPOC Program Manager, PeopleFund

  • Speaker: Ryan Salts, Director, Launch SA

11:15 AM – 12:00 PM Session 3: The Power of Communication & Social Media for Business Growth

Focus: Digital communication is one of the driving forces behind long-term growth and success in the modern business world. Social media for business is no longer optional. It's an essential way to reach your customers, gain valuable insights, and grow your brand. Today our panelist will put all of this into perspective by giving you the ways to use the power of communication and social media in your business strategy.

Moderator: Melanie Mendez-Gonzales, Managing Partner, MMG Media, LLC & Founder Que Means What

  • Speaker: Vicky H. Sepulveda Crossing Bridges Consulting/Chica About Town Blog

  • Speaker: Christina Jovanna Olivarez, Founder & CEO SBG & Hustle + Socialize, TEDx Speaker

  • Speaker: Melissa Vela-Williamson, APR, CDP, Founder, MVW Communications

  • Speaker: Anamaria Suescun-Fast, CEO and Owner, talkStrategy

12:00 AM – 12:10 AM Break

12:10 PM– 1:00 PM Session 4: Entrepreneurs Spotlight: The Paths to Success

Focus: Successful Latina entrepreneurs at various stages of business maturity to discuss the lessons they've learned, the insights they've gained from their experiences, the challenges they've faced, and how they've overcome them. Learn how some of our most successful leaders have managed their success and how to apply that to your own journey.

Session Introduction/Sponsor Remarks: Wells Fargo Mike Caraballo, SVP, Change Delivery Leader, Home Lending Product Strategy and Delivery, Wells Fargo & Company

Moderator: Erika Prosper Nirenberg, First Lady of San Antonio & Sr. Director of Customer Insights, H-E-B

  • Speaker: Denise Rodriguez-Hernandez, Owner, The Eatery Culinary Group and M-Pressed LLC

  • Speaker: Roxanne Ramirez, Principal, CNF Technologies Corporation

  • Speaker: Dr. Erika Gonzalez, CEO & President, South Texas Allergy & Asthma Medical Professionals

  • Speaker: Dr. Martha Livingston, President, San Antonio Counseling and Behavioral Center

  • Speaker: Marisel Ballard, Owner, Trustworthy House Cleaning Services LLC

1:00 PM – 1:20 PM Nationwide Break

1:30 PM – 3:00 PM LATINA Style Awards Presentation & Keynote

  • Mayor Introduction - Chairs: Nicole Navarro-Velesiotis & Lisa Navarro-Gonzales

  • Opening Remarks: Ron Nirenberg, Mayor of San Antonio

  • Keynote Introduction: Ramiro Cavazos, President, United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

  • Keynote: Dr. Naydeen González-De Jesús, President of San Antonio College

LATINA Style Awards: Robert E. Bard & Lupita Colmenero, LATINA Style, Inc.

  • 2023 Excellence Award: Dr. Antonio R. Flores, President and CEO of (HACU)

  • 2023 Trailblazer Award: Dr. Adelina Silva, Vice Chancellor of Student Success, Alamo College

  • Lifetime Achievement Award: Juan G. Ayala, Major General (USMC Retired), Director, Military and Veteran Affairs Department, City of San Antonio

*LATINA Entrepreneur of the Year Award - Chairs: Nicole Navarro-Velesiotis & Lisa Navarro-Gonzales

Closing Remarks:

  • Lisbeth Lundsteadt, Supplier Diversity Director, Nationwide

  • Robert E. Bard, President & CEO, LATINA Style, Inc. & Lupita Colmenero, COO, LATINA Style, Inc.

3:30 PM– 5:30 PM Exhibitor Market - Room Broadway 100