Image: Latinas & Power Corp. Founder and CEO Marilyn Alverio, Adriana Waterston of Horowitz Research, Yvonne Garcia of State Street, Marilynn Cruz-Aponte of Public Works for the Town of East Hartford, Adriana Sánchez Dominicci of MassMutual; and Arminda Figueroa of Latin2Latin Marketing + Communications. Photo by Julián Bowen.
Latinas & Power Corp.’s New Study Highlights Opportunities for Closing Latina Leadership Gap in the Post-COVID Professional World, but Challenges Remain
Latinas & Power Corp. Announces Launch of Latinas in Leadership Institute (LiLI) for Fall 2022
2021 Latina Champion Awards Conferred to Hinojosa, Garcia and Torres-Rodriguez
October 19, 2021/Hartford, CT…Over 100 Latina executives, entrepreneurs, and aspiring professionals gathered in Hartford CT at the 18th annual Latinas & Power Hybrid Symposium on Friday, October 15. The symposium, which featured Latina leaders from across a wide variety of industries speaking about their careers and outlooks for the future, focused on the impact of COVID and the current socio-political environment on opportunities for Latinas to rise up the ranks in corporate America, in government, nonprofit arena and as business owners.
A focal point of the symposium was a discussion of the findings of a qualitative study, conducted by Latinas & Power Corp. and drawn from a national listen2learn tour of executive, mid-level and entry level Latinas across the U.S. The study revealed that despite the disproportionate impact of COVID on Latina/o communities in the U.S., there are silver linings. For example, a common theme emerging from the research is a feeling of “virtual world confidence” as a result of having fewer barriers to access to corporate leadership. In the virtual meeting environment, more people have the opportunity to have their voices heard, circumventing structural and personal gatekeeping that might have previously made it difficult for Latinas to showcase their talents and leadership skills to higher-ups in their companies. Moreover, the current corporate focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives is opening up increased opportunities for Latinas and other women of color to gain a seat at the decision-making table in the private sector, government and in the nonprofit world.
Speakers at the event included award-winning journalist, author, and producer Maria Hinojosa, Futuro Media and Latino USA; Arminda Figueroa, CEO of Latin2Latin Marketing + Communications; Adriana Waterston, Chief Revenue Officer of Horowitz Research; Marilynn Cruz-Aponte, Public Works Assistant Director for the Town of East Hartford; Yvonne Garcia, Chief of Staff to Chairman and CEO, Global Head of Communications, and Head of Global CEO Experience Program for State Street; and Adriana Sánchez Dominicci, Data Protection Team for MassMutual. These speakers underscored that there is still much work to be done to dismantle structural educational, economic, and cultural barriers that put many Latinas at a disadvantage as they enter the workforce.
Latinas & Power Corp. Founder and CEO Marilyn Alverio states, “As a result of this illuminating study, we are moving forward with a significant new initiative to address the Latina leadership gap. The Latinas in Leadership Institute (LiLI), a 3-and-a-half month hybrid certification program, is set to launch in September 2022. This national institute will address two important pillars that we seek to strengthen among our participants: Leadership and Advocacy. Latinas & Power is very grateful to all of our listen2learn participants who shared their insights and to the Connecticut Health Foundation who commissioned our study.” The study will be released in December of 2021.
Latinas & Power Corp. is inviting corporate sponsors, businesses and others who would like to support their Latina employees’ professional development to get involved in the LiLI program. LiLI will be available to entry and mid-level career-focused and community-minded Latinas throughout the U.S. To learn how to become involved in this critical initiative, please email latinasandpower@gmail.com.
During the symposium event, three outstanding Latinas were recognized with the 2021 Latina Champion awards for their dedication, passion and commitment to the betterment of the Latino community. The three recipients were; Maria Hinojosa, founder of Futuro Media, veteran journalist, and author of Once I Was You; Yvonne Garcia, Chief of Staff to Chairman and CEO, Global Head of Communications, and Head of Global CEO Experience Program for State Street; and Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez, Ed.D, Superintendent of Schools Hartford Public Schools
Event sponsors include: Eversource, Connecticut Higher Education Trust, It’s a Ten Haircare, Webster Bank, Voya, AARP CT, Greater Hartford YMCA, HairClub, Junior Achievement of CT, The Hartford, MassMutual, CT Health Foundation, TJX, Liberty Bank, and Latin Financial. Media and Marketing partners are; BuzzEngine, Latin2Latin Marketing, La Voz Hispana de CT, and Horowitz Research.
For more information about Latinas & Power Corp. and its offerings, visit LatinasandPower.com or email us at latinasandpower@gmail.com.
2021 Latina Champion Award Honoree Maria Hiinojosa. Photo by Julián Bowen
Latinas & Power Corp. Founder and CEO Marilyn Alverio with 2021 Latina Champion Award Honoree Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez, Ed.D, superintendent of Hartford Public Schools. Photo by Julián Bowen.
Latinas & Power Corp. Founder and CEO Marilyn Alverio with 2021 Latina Champion Award Honoree Yvonne Garcia, Chief of Staff to Chairman and CEO, Global Head of Communications, and Head of Global CEO Experience Program for State Street. Photo by Julián Bowen.