In a recent episode of The Face of Latina Professionals, hosted by the vibrant Abby Torres, listeners were treated to an inspiring conversation with Rosie Gonzalez, Brookfield’s number one real estate broker. Rosie's journey is not just a story of professional success but a beacon of personal triumph, resilience, and the power of faith. Abby, known for her ability to draw out the profound and personal from her guests, navigated the conversation through Rosie's remarkable life and career....

In the latest episode of "The Face of Latina Professionals," Jasmine Hernandez, the CEO and founder of Ubuntu Strategies, captivates listeners with her journey from a Chicago neighborhood to the pinnacle of entrepreneurial success. Her story, infused with wisdom, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of personal and professional growth, offers profound insights and inspiration. Raised in Chicago’s diverse landscapes, Jasmine's roots in Hermosa and Humboldt Park shaped her early worldview. Her...

In a recent episode of 'The Face of Latina Professionals Podcast,' we had the pleasure of welcoming Samantha Alvarez, a vibrant voice resonating with the power of cultural identity and self-discovery. Samantha's journey isn't just a narrative; it's a beacon for anyone grappling with their identity and purpose. Born and raised in Chicago, Samantha proudly embraces her Puerto Rican and Honduran heritage. Her story unfolds like a vibrant tapestry, interweaving threads of culture, resilience, and...

In the latest episode of "The Face of Latina Professionals," we delve into the inspiring life story of Margarita Quiñones Peña, an engineer, author, and yoga instructor who embodies the true spirit of resilience and empowerment. Margarita's journey from Durango, Mexico, to the streets of Chicago encapsulates the struggles and triumphs of a Latina dreamer in the United States. Born into a life of uncertainty and challenges, Margarita crossed the desert at just three years old with her mother,...

In a world filled with noise, finding someone whose life embodies love, empowerment, and the spirit of giving back is truly a breath of fresh air. On the latest episode of "The Face of Latina Professionals," hosted by the ever-inspiring Jennie Raymer, we had the privilege of getting to know Alexis Hutson, a remarkable woman whose life journey is a testament to the power of faith, community, and unwavering determination. Alexis Hutson's journey begins in South Elgin, Illinois, where she grew...

The journey to professional success, especially as a Latina, is often paved with unique challenges. In a recent episode of The Face of Latina Professionals Podcast, Estefanía Galván sat down with the remarkable Rebeca Huffman. Their conversation wasn’t just about overcoming obstacles; it was a tribute to tenacity, resilience, and the indomitable spirit of Latina professionals. Estefanía, with her impeccable knack for drawing out the most riveting tales, ushered us into Rebeca's world. From...

Laura Ayala, CEO of Laura's Furniture and President of Mattresses for Kids, is a woman who has overcome adversity and risen to become a successful entrepreneur.  Laura was born in Guadalajara, Mexico, and moved to Chicago when she was 13 years old. Her mother raised her as a single parent, and Laura became a young mother herself, having her first child at the age of 15. Despite these challenges, Laura always had a strong faith in God, which she credits for helping her persevere through life's...

Jessica Gomez is a dynamic Latina professional who has overcome many challenges to achieve success. She joins us on The Face of Latina Professionals Podcast to share her story.   Born and raised in Michoacán, Mexico, Jessica moved to the United States at the age of 10, an experience that had a profound impact on her. For a long time, she was unhappy about the move and struggled to find her footing in a new country where she didn't speak the language. However, with the support of a patient...

Elisa Ochoa is a dentist and business owner in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago. Born and raised on the south side of the city, Elisa comes from a family with a strong work ethic and a deep appreciation for education. Her parents emigrated from Guadalajara in the late 1960s, and Elisa grew up in a household where success was expected and the pressure to succeed was palpable. Despite these challenges, Elisa found her passion for dentistry at a young age, drawn to the idea of directly...

Delice Javalera is a Latina professional who has made her mark in the corporate world. Born and raised in Chihuahua, Mexico, she pursued her education and began her career in Mexico.  However, in 2011, she was offered a job in the United States and she took the leap to move to Chicago. Delice credits her success to the mentorship of several individuals who helped her grow both personally and professionally. When Delice first moved to the US, she faced a number of cultural challenges. Her...

Argelia Martinez, the founder of Vida Mía Cocktails, is a Latina professional making her mark in the beverage industry.  With her brand, she aims to create unique beverage experiences through pop-up events, cocktail kits, and catering services. Vida Mia Cocktails is a celebration of Mexican culture and history through the agave plant.  Martinez draws inspiration from her own upbringing, having spent her summers in Mexico with her family and carrying her dual identity as a Mexican-American...

Danica Matos

Alejandra Garcia Morris shares her journey of humbles beginnings in Mexico, to CEO of "#It’s Clean Cleaning Services" and the lessons learned along the way. "I came from a very, very, very humble place in Mexico. We were lucky that we could eat. We had a grocery store that was passed down through our grandparents, but other people did not have that privilege." Tune in to hear her inspirational story and the wisdom she shares to reach your goals and dreams.

Melanie Hernandez is a domestic violence advocate and recovery support specialist. Her journey into the profession stems from her own personal experience. While Melanie was pregnant with her second child, she was the victim of domestic violence and found herself at a DV shelter. Becoming a domestic violence advocate wasn’t easy for Melanie. She had been through it all. Her self-esteem had been shattered and she didn’t believe she could do it. She recalls how she was invited to fill the role,...

Ana Gil Garcia is the Executive Director of Academic Effectiveness at St. Augustine College. Originally from Isla de Margarita, part of Venezuela, she was born and raised on this Caribbean Island about 25 miles north of the mainland.  Though both parents were supportive of their children’s endeavors, it was Ana Gil’s mother that would require all her children to attend college. Wanting to teach biology, Ana Gil had a strong desire to be in the classroom. After studying in the main city of...

On Mexican Independence Day, Paola Meinzer sits down with the Mexican Ambassador in Chicago: Reyna Torres. While Paola was born in Colombia and raised in South America, she has become very close with the Latino and Mexican community in Chicago.  Reyna’s parents were both involved in the medical field, while Reyna was growing up in Mexico. Yet, despite not having anyone in her family in the political arena, Reyna has always had an interest in worldly affairs and shares her motives behind her...

Originally from Cuernavaca, Morelos, Rocío Villalva has made her name for herself in Chicago, by creating content for Spanish speaking residents of the city.  Arriving in a new country with no one to plug her into the social circles, Rocio would stay home all day with her sister, until her parents would come home late from work. Making matters worse, she had a difficult time finding content in Spanish to help her navigate her new city.  Though as Rocio recalls, once she did go out she...

Born in Chicago to Mexican immigrant parents, Jennifer Salgado shares her relatable story of growing up in two contrasting cultures and how it has shaped her view of the world. Not one to shy away from a challenge, she hopes her story can uplift and empower women to pursue their dreams and be an inspiration to other women.  Still very much connected to her Mexican roots, Jennifer travels back to Mexico often; to visit her father who lives there. So while her message is meant for all women,...

Born and raised in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood, Miriam Galarza Holland is no stranger to overcoming difficult situations. She reflects on how those experiences shaped the person she is today.  A Real Estate Broker by trade, she’s also become an advocate for mental health. As Miriam vulnerably shares, growing up wasn’t always easy for her. With struggles at home, her situation wasn’t much better outside in her community. Yet, Miriam has never allowed her circumstances to dictate who...

With the world’s 8th largest economy (third in Latina America), Beatriz Vivas has the honor and responsibility of representing Argentina and assisting their citizens throughout the Midwest. She joins Paola Meinzer to share more on what makes her country beautiful and how her career in diplomacy began.  Part of Beatriz’s job is to promote tourism in Argentina, but also to create awareness for American companies working in Argentina to export foods found in your everyday cuisine.  “I would love...

On this episode of The Face of Latina Professionals Podcast, host Paola Meinzer sits down with the Consul General of Chile in Chicago, Ambassador Aylin Joo Liem. A granddaughter to Chinese immigrants, Aylin grew up in Santiago, Chile knowing from a young age that she wanted to be a diplomat.  “I was 14 years old. I was quite young. But my best friend, she still remembers. She said, ‘you had it so clear. When we were already at school, you wanted to be a diplomat.’” She is the first woman to...

Lupe Rodriguez joins us on this episode of The Face of Latina Professionals to talk about her own experience with and passion for culture and how she turned that into a career.  Growing up in Berwyn, IL, Lupe talks about how she grew up immersed in a very Latino community.  “Berwyn is an incredibly Latino/Hispanic area. That was really nice because I grew up with people who looked like me and had my same culture.” When she turned 14, her family relocated to Lockport, IL, a predominantly white...

On this episode of The Face of Latina Professionals, host Alexis Rodriguez sits down with Paola Meinzer to talk about Paola’s story of immigrating to the United States as an adult and turning her passion into pioneering for Latina women.  “I'm just a girl from Colombia that came out here almost 20 years ago. I came as an adult and I came with my luggage full of dreams. After 20 years, I can say that I'm a very blessed person. This country has brought a lot of wonderful things to my...

Maribel Garcia joins us on this episode of The Face of Latina Professionals Podcast.  Maribel is the founder of Break the Silence Foundation, an organization that is dedicated to helping the victims of domestic violence. Not only women, but men, the entire family and even people’s neighbors. “I'm a survivor and that really ignited the desire, the passion, and the fire to open an organization to help others.” Maribel talks about how oftentimes when you are a childhood victim of abuse and...