Latina Powerhouses: Honoring Legacy, Creating Change

President of Known, a private equity and financial services company committed to creating innovation and impact with capital.

Nathalie Molina Niño

As a child of entrepreneurial immigrants, I learned early on about the basics of keeping a company afloat—and about the seriousness of being responsible for the livelihood of employees. My work today as a builder of businesses (instead of someone who flips them) is deeply influenced by my culture, which values long-term outcomes and appreciates that good things take time, community, and care. 

One thing most Latinx cultures share is that we prioritize community, whether familial or chosen. It’s that core belief of community as central that has guided my entrepreneurial ventures and the questions I have found myself asking throughout my career as both a founder and an investor. It’s also why I decided to pay it forward and teach entrepreneurship to the next generation and write a book to give more people access to my curricula and support tomorrow’s founders.

Founder of L. Leon Virtual Assistance, a boutique virtual support business for stretched-thin leaders who are ready to delegate with intention.

Samantha Fandino

I come from a turbulent upbringing shaped by instability, survival, and a deep desire to break generational cycles. As a Puerto Rican woman raised by a single mom, I learned early on what it meant to carry a lot with very little. That gave me grit, empathy, and a fire to create something different—not just for myself, but for the women coming behind me. My heritage fuels my people-first leadership and reminds me daily that community care is strategy.

I openly share so much of my story online, including navigating success as a first-gen entrepreneur despite the fact that so many of us were raised to stay small, stay quiet, and play it safe. I challenge those norms daily by choosing visibility, setting boundaries, and defining success on my own terms. I want other Latinas to know they’re allowed to lead, take up space, and build wealth without guilt or permission. We don’t have to follow the rules that were never made for us.

Keynote Speaker & Wellness Journalist of Stories With Heart, an intentional storytelling company dedicated to heart-centered, service-driven content and experiences that inspire you to live a happier, healthier life.

Tianna Faye Soto

My Puerto Rican heritage has instilled in me a deep love for connection, culture, and storytelling. Raised with values of hard work, empathy, service, and joy, I bring these to my work as a keynote speaker and journalist, especially when encountering diverse audiences all over the world. As a mixed Latina and first-generation college graduate, I understand the unique pressures young people face, especially when they are paving the way for their families and communities. Today, I work at the intersection of mental health education and digital media to inspire and amplify other Latinas with big dreams.

To inspire the next generation, I’ve delivered more than 100 keynote speeches to college students around the country, blending mental health education and identity exploration. I want other Latina founders and professionals to know that their story is important and that they deserve to bring their full, authentic selves into the spaces they enter.

Founder & CEO of YVOTY Warrior, a functional wellness brand redefining strength for women over 40.

Pedro Wazzan

I was born in Bolivia and adopted into a small town in Germany. While I’m grateful for my upbringing, I grew up disconnected from my roots, carrying the invisible weight of constant reinvention and the resilience it takes to bridge cultures. That duality taught me adaptability, grit, and how to move seamlessly between worlds. These skills have been essential in building companies and navigating global markets. In recent years, I’ve reconnected with my heritage, and YVOTY (which means “flower” in the Guarani Indigenous language) honors that heritage and the truth that beauty and resilience can grow from any soil.

I hope to show other Latina founders that the weight we carry—as women, mothers, founders, immigrants, and more; whether visible or invisible—can be transformed into power, purpose, and leadership. Through YVOTY, I share my journey from a bone loss diagnosis to building a wellness brand, proving that our lived experiences are our greatest strategic advantage.

Co-Founder & Head of GTM of Monotype Secure, an innovation incubator with the mission to make all information secure and trustworthy, one font at a time.

Lacey Alexander

I was born and raised in South America and moved around from Paraguay to Peru to Brazil during my childhood. That global perspective impacts everything I do professionally as I seek to build businesses that make a difference for citizens around the world. I co-founded Monotype Secure to address security issues that plague lives throughout South America, from the dangerous sale of counterfeit goods to identity-stealing online phishing attacks.

For other Latina entrepreneurs, I recommend laser focusing on understanding the customer’s pain point. Too many founders fall in love with their solution or technology instead of the problem. Real growth comes from obsessing over what truly frustrates your customer—not what you think they need.

Co-Founder of Arquia, creating elevated essentials made from 100% Peruvian Pima cotton—designed for mixing, matching, and making everyday moments feel joyful.

Natalia Ramos

As a Peruvian-American, I’ve always known the unmatched quality of Peruvian Pima cotton. My co-founder and I struggled to find baby clothing that was soft, hypoallergenic, high-quality, and stylish—especially for our little ones with sensitive skin. That’s when Arquia was born. We leveraged my knowledge of this amazing fabric and my network in Peru to create the best products for our babies.

I hope to inspire more Latina founders to take the leap and create something of their own. The hardest part is often simply starting and moving past the fears. Through Arquia, I aim to show that building a business can be both thoughtful and intentional, rooted in values as much as in passion.

Founder & Chief Creative Officer of Vita Nova Media, a boutique branding and digital marketing studio dedicated to helping community-driven businesses share their story; connect with their audience; and grow with clarity, creativity, and conviction.

Alexandra Szebenyik Photography

My heritage as a child of El Salvador taught me that legacy is not only about titles or corporate milestones. It is about creating meaningful impact at home and in our communities, opening doors for others, and ensuring the next generation knows their stories and voices matter.

I hope to inspire other Latina founders by showing that they can lead with both ambition and authenticity. After more than a decade in the finance industry, I took the leap into entrepreneurship to build companies that align with my values, serve my community, and prove that profit and purpose can work hand in hand. My journey is a reminder that work and family can co-exist without one being sacrificed for the other.

Co-Founder & CEO of Relatable Nonprofit, empowering purpose-driven professionals to turn their nonprofit expertise into thriving consulting businesses so they can create meaningful impact on their own terms.

Maxson Media

I was born in Argentina and raised by a mom who didn’t finish high school but made sure I understood the value of education. When I asked her what she would have been if she could start over, she said, “a teacher.” Now, I teach for a living as a business coach, carrying her dream forward in my own way.

I want the next generation to reimagine what life can look like. The “go to college, get a job, stay there for 50 years” plan doesn’t work for everyone! I teach people how to build businesses that give them income and flexibility so they can create a life that actually works for them.

CEO of Cultura Takeover, a community and event platform connecting Latinas via curated experiences that go beyond the typical social club.

Karla Olaya

Leading from a place of honesty and collaboration has been key as I build community. I see how powerful it is when we support each other—especially in this country. For me, leadership is about opening doors and making sure we all walk through them together. 

I hope to inspire other Latina founders by showing that we can build businesses that are culturally rooted, relevant, and successful.

CEO of Into The Next, a top firm in the industry that helps business owners scale lean and exit smart by turning operational chaos and financial uncertainty into clarity, efficiency, and long-term value.

Benizo Photography

Being Latina has taught me the power of resilience and resourcefulness. I grew up watching my family build a life with limited resources but unlimited determination, which shaped how I lead today. As a founder, I carry those values into my work by finding creative solutions, staying grounded through adversity, and always remembering that success isn’t just about growth. It’s about lifting others and creating opportunities for the next generation.

I hope to inspire other Latina founders by being visible and vocal about what’s possible, especially in spaces where we’re still underrepresented. I actively share my knowledge and platforms to elevate other women. Whether it’s featuring Latina entrepreneurs on my Scale to Exit podcast, hosting free office hours for founders who don’t yet have access to high-level advisory support, or speaking at community events, I make it a point to open doors that weren’t always open for me. My goal is to show other Latinas that they don’t have to shrink to fit into traditional spaces. We can lead boldly, build wealth, and redefine what executive leadership looks like.

CEO & Founder of With Mari, blending high-touch consulting, personalized systems, and immersive experiences to help entrepreneurs gain clarity, confidence, and sustainable growth–without doing it all alone.

Jess Koehler

My Latina heritage instilled in me a deep sense of resiliency, teaching me how to push forward even when the path felt unclear. That resilience allows me to bring clarity to others because I know firsthand how powerful it is to move from confusion to confidence. It’s even become my leadership style: grounded, strategic, and always focused on finding a clear next step no matter the challenge. For me, clarity is the ultimate expression of resilience. It’s how we keep moving forward with purpose.

When we give ourselves space to pause, reflect, and find the next right step, growth feels possible again. My goal is to remind other Latina founders that they already have the strength—and with clarity, they can channel it into sustainable momentum.

CEO of OwnersUP, a peer accountability community that helps B2B service-based founders scale profitably and reclaim their time through small groups, structured support, and proven systems.

Raj Bandyopadhyay

My Latina heritage taught me to see community as more than a value, but as something necessary for survival. I grew up watching neighbors, cousins, and friends step in whenever something needed to get done, whether that meant sharing food, watching each other’s kids, or helping someone find work. That instilled a natural instinct to lean on others and give back rather than believing you have to do it all alone. As a founder, it’s why I build businesses rooted in collaboration and collective progress instead of the lone wolf approach.

I hope to inspire other Latina founders by showing what’s possible when you build with community, instead of in isolation. I’ve created spaces where Latina entrepreneurs can get accountability, share resources, and see their own brilliance reflected back to them. I also mentor and speak to younger founders about breaking limiting beliefs. Sometimes, the biggest inspiration is simply seeing someone who looks like you doing what you thought was out of reach.

Founder of Ana Flores and award-winning cultural strategist who advises women-led businesses to grow with connection, ease, and purpose.

Oscar Aguilar

Growing up as the daughter of Salvadoran immigrants gave me a deep appreciation for resilience, community, and creativity as essential ways of moving through life. My bilingual and bicultural Latina heritage shaped the way I lead by anchoring everything in relationships, reciprocity, and the belief that when one of us grows, we all grow. This perspective has allowed me to build companies and communities that don’t just chase traditional definitions of success but create spaces where women feel seen, valued, and supported. That legacy of collective growth and resourcefulness is the compass I return to in every decision I make as a founder and leader.

I hope to inspire other Latina founders by modeling a new way forward that honors rest, intuition, and joy as much as it does strategy and ambition. For me, it’s about showing that success does not require sacrificing our well-being, and that the future of entrepreneurship can be led from a place of wholeness and cultural pride.

Founder of Nest Earth, a community platform and ecosystem where parents and experts come together to create healthier homes, resilient families, and a thriving planet for the next generation.

Gabriela Fiorentino

Growing up in the Dominican Republic, I was immersed in a culture where resourcefulness and connection to nature were part of everyday life. We didn’t label it “sustainability” because it was simply how we lived. We took care of what we had and looked out for each other. That upbringing shaped my values as a founder and gave me the resilience, creativity, and community-first mindset I bring to Nest Earth. My Latina heritage grounds me in the belief that building a better world starts at home—with family and community at the center.

I want Latina founders to know that clarity comes from action. You do not have to have it all figured out to begin. You also don’t have to do it alone. I hope that by sharing my journey with honesty and making myself available to help others find the right support, I can show that our heritage is a strength.

Co-Founder of Yoshida Academy (a hub for leadership and soft skills development) & Warrior Queen Cosmetics (a multicultural and vegan beauty brand with a deeper mission).

@yosoylilia_photographer

Born in the Dominican Republic, I grew up watching my family turn challenges into opportunities through faith, resilience, and hard work. Those lessons shaped how I built Yoshida Academy, creating a place where multicultural professionals can rise with confidence and authenticity. They also inspired Warrior Queen Cosmetics, a brand that honors our stories of strength and beauty while encouraging bold self-expression. My path as a founder is rooted in carrying forward that legacy of turning struggle into strength for others.

Through my companies and board service, I’ve supported Latinas in rising to C-Suite roles, launching impactful businesses, and strengthening leadership skills that influence generations.

Founder of Gardens of Sol, a mission-driven urban agriculture education business empowering people to grow food, connect with nature, and connect with themselves through hands-on workshops, keynotes, and consulting.

Mike Peters Photography

As a first-generation Dominican-Ecuadorian, becoming an urban farmer was never exactly my parents’ vision of the American Dream. Growing up in densely populated New Jersey, I didn’t even step foot on a farm until I turned 16. Learning to grow food has become one of the most liberating experiences in my life. This community has taught me to reclaim my connection to the earth, lead with impact, honor ancestral wisdom, and deepen my commitment to making urban agriculture education accessible for all.

Our roots are our power. Our stories, cultures, and traditions are catalysts for innovation. Through my workshops and speaking engagements, I’ve taught over 3,000 individuals from many BIPOC communities how growing food will not just nourish our bodies, but also our minds.

Founder & Lead Career Coach of Catalyst Creation, an executive coaching firm helping companies develop their emerging and historically underserved leadership pipeline.

Sacha H Cohen

As an AfroColombiana with mestiza heritage, I have spent a lot of time connecting with both my African and Indigenous roots. This deeper connection has allowed me to redefine how I view myself as a leader: shifting my founder narrative from one rooted in adversity to one rooted in love and empowerment. Making this shift was not easy—it is far more common to hear about the struggle of our ancestors than it is to highlight the strength needed to overcome the many obstacles presented—but it’s a legacy I’m honored to leave behind.

I hope to continue inspiring all generations to give themselves permission to create their careers and live their life on their own terms, regardless of el qué dirán (what others say), because embracing your own unique path intentionally is the best way to create an authentic and lasting legacy for yourself and those to come.

Founder of Grow With Community, a consulting agency guiding founders and creatives to move beyond audiences and build communities that fuel connection, growth, and impact.

Nev Photography

My roots have taught me that showing up for people matters. Family and community were everything growing up, and that shaped the way I lead today. I build businesses and communities the same way I was raised, by making sure people feel included, supported, and part of something bigger than themselves.

I’ve taken risks, made mistakes, and kept going—and I’m still here building. That’s the part I want other Latina founders to see. Over the years, I’ve launched and grown communities, stood on stages to share the power of connection, and mentored women stepping into entrepreneurship. Along the way, I’ve created spaces where founders don’t have to figure it out alone, and I bring others into the rooms I’m in so they feel included in the journey.

Founder & Instructor of Design Changemakers, an online gathering place offering learning programs and community spaces for changemakers committed to social and environmental justice.

Stefani Leguenn

As a mestiza woman of mixed Indigenous, African, and European ancestry, I am the product of colonization—and that reality shapes how I see the world and my work. My immigrant journey from Colombia to the U.S. (and later to Europe) has taught me to navigate conflicting cultures, question dominant narratives, and honor the resilience of my ancestors. In my work as a design educator and community leader, this translates into creating learning spaces that decolonize design practices and center wisdom from marginalized communities. I lead my business with the same commitment, aligning everyday decisions with a vision of justice and collective liberation.

My hope is that Latina founders see entrepreneurship not only as a means to gain financial independence and fulfillment, but also as an opportunity to shape a more just world. Through my teaching, community-based work, and advisory, I’ve guided others to operate their businesses in ways that challenge oppressive systems.

Founder & CEO of Portecua Consulting, a Latina-owned boutique consulting firm empowering women and BIPOC entrepreneurs to build beautiful businesses that are protected, optimized, and well-positioned for growth and impact.

Nev Photography

My culture comes with me wherever I go in how I speak, act, celebrate, and build community. Naturally, it’s incorporated into my path as a founder and leader—and I wouldn’t have it any other way. When I wrote my book, for example, I included more than 200 Spanish words and phrases, which I hope will empower some readers to feel seen and give others the bonus opportunity to learn a new-to-them language.

I want to inspire Latina founders to take up space, go after their goals, and always learn from and lean on each other. There’s so much potential for us to build beautiful businesses. I want all Latina founders to become the leaders and changemakers they were meant to be, so I try to do my part to inspire and instill strategies that will help us unlock our potential.