LíderCon 2025: A Recap of a Historic 5th Anniversary

This year’s LíderCon was a powerful, two-day affirmation of our community's strength, vision, and resilience, all celebrated under the theme of "Raíces y Futuro"—honoring our roots and leading our future. Hosted at Metro State University, this 5th-anniversary conference was an unforgettable convergence of Latine leaders, allies, and trailblazers, demonstrating that our heritage is the very foundation of our collective influence and success.

Dìa 1: Transformation and The Power of Narrative

The conference kicked off with a palpable energy as attendees were welcomed with a warm "cafecito" and the opportunity to network. After an affirming welcome from host partner Dr. Ginny Arthur (President of Metropolitan State University) and encouraging civic messages from the Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan and Minnesota Attorney General, Keith Ellison, the day’s programming began to build a foundation of hope.

The morning was anchored by an unforgettable keynote from Emmy-nominated actor and advocate Richard Cabral. He delivered an authentic, emotional address about his journey of transformation and resilience, sharing his story as a powerful example of how one's difficult upbringing can be transformed into a triumphant destino. He demonstrated that personal narrative is the ultimate tool for change.

The afternoon featured two high-impact discussions:

• Future-Forward Leadership: This panel featured José Ignacio Gaona (Founder & CEO of ZETA) and Jasmin Chavez Cruz (Regional Political Director). They exemplified Raíces y Futuro by providing crucial insights on how to build a powerful voice in rooms where decisions about Artificial Intelligence and policy are made, ensuring our identity is at the forefront of the future.

• Deportes Fireside Chat: A powerhouse panel including Shari Ballard (CEO of Minnesota United Football Club), Karina Martinez (Co-Founder & CEO of DRAFTED), and Leticia Silva (Senior Vice President, MN Twins) explored the business of sports. They proved how Latine leaders are changing the narrative from fans to industry leaders, turning our cultural passion into economic and professional influence.

The day concluded with a strong call to action on the importance of civic engagement from Secretary of State Steve Simon. Secretary Simon emphasized that in this pivotal election season, the Latine vote is a powerful force that directly shapes the reality of Minnesota’s future, noting that the state is widely recognized for having the highest voter turnout rate in the nation. He urged leaders to leverage this collective power to advocate for their communities.

The Oportunidad Expo: Fueling Entrepreneurship and Workforce Development

The Oportunidad Expo served as a vital part of the LíderCon programming, reinforcing our commitment to economic empowerment. This buzzing hub provided more than just networking; it was a platform designed to foster both Latine entrepreneurship and workforce development. Attendees had the invaluable opportunity to discover and support Latine entrepreneurs, actively investing in the community's economic futuro. Furthermore, the expo allowed leaders to learn about community resources and network with your next great collaboration, directly connecting talent with opportunity. The Oportunidad Expo is where economic growth is tangible, ensuring that the influence we gain is translated into real-world business and career advancement.

Dìa 2: Legacy, Innovation, and Collective Influence

Day two opened with a welcome from Metro State University Professor and Chair Dr. Adrienne Falcón, before transitioning to a powerful fireside chat with Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Community Impact and Inclusion Officer for U.S. Bank, Greg Cunningham. He spoke compellingly about his journey to the C-Suite and his work with Access Commitment®, showing attendees how to leverage their own unique paths to build generational wealth and equitable systems. This conversation on Latine economic development and wealth building was particularly crucial, as financial inclusion and closing the wealth gap are vital steps for transforming our collective futuro. Greg provided actionable insights on how Latine leaders can build strong financial foundations, ensuring the community's rapidly growing economic power is secured for future generations.

The morning transitioned into another round of action-oriented breakout sessions, including the exclusive "Bush Fellowship and You" session led our Bush Foundation partners, Grantmaking Officer Rudy Guglielmo, Jr. and Grantmaking Director Ramla Bile, which provided vital insights into securing prestigious fellowship funding—a direct investment in Latine leadership future.

The afternoon featured some of the most inspiring voices in the country:

• Afternoon Keynote: NASA aerospace engineer Elio Morillo delivered a captivating keynote. As a proud Ecuadorian-Boricua, his groundbreaking work on the Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover deployment was used to powerfully remind the audience that our heritage is a source of strength and that our community belongs "not just on this planet, but among the stars." He embodied the limitless potential of our futuro.

• Lighting the Torch Fireside Chat: The conference culminated in a deeply meaningful and candid conversation between LatinoLEAD’s visionary Luz María Frías and our very own CEO Irma Márquez Trapero. This "comadres" chat explored the 13-year journey of LatinoLEAD, detailing its founding vision (Raíces) and its unwavering commitment to building a powerful, collective mañana.

  
  

The conference concluded with our annual Impact Awards Ceremony, celebrating local trailblazers, and a vibrant cultural performance by the Mexican folkloric dance group Los Alegres Bailadores, bringing the spirit of Raíces y Futuro to life through the rhythm and color of our heritage.

A Look Back at the Breakout Sessions

LíderCon 2025 offered a powerful lineup of sessions designed to provide attendees with practical skills and deep insights. Here is a look at the sessions and the expert speakers who led them:

• Executive Presence in Action: Embody Confidence, Speak with Impact with Talia Levin

• Unlocking Wealth: Tools for Latine Economic Mobility with Julissa Fuentes-Roberts and Isaac Contreras

• The Power of Latino Identity: Understanding our Complex Racial History with Cesar Osvaldo Mendez

• KPIs with Corazon: Turning Numbers into Action with Olimpia Odemaris Perez

• Financial Foundations for Business Success with Johan Gomez and Luis Mendoza

• Building Wealth, Building Future: Start your Wealth Building Journey with Miguel Olvera

• Bush Fellowship and You with Rudy Guglielmo, Jr. and Ramla Bile

The LatinoLEAD Impact Awards: Honoring the Architects of Change

The Impact Awards Ceremony was a powerful culmination of the conference, recognizing the tireless work, visionary leadership, and profound influence of individuals and organizations nominated by the Latine community. Director of Leadership Programs, Brenda Sanchez, and Policy and Advocacy Programs Manager, Sabrina Tapia, hosted the ceremony, underscoring that these awards are LatinoLEAD’s way of saying gracias and celebrating the fact that leadership happens at every level.

The honorees truly embodied the Raíces y Futuro theme:

• LatinoLEAD Culture Honoree: Lyton Guallpa-Naula, a corporate finance analyst and artistic director of an Ecuadorian folkloric dance group, was honored for his lifelong dedication to actively preserving and teaching rich indigenous traditions, inspiring a new generation to connect with their heritage.

• LatinoLEAD Advocacy Honoree: Rosa Tock, Executive Director of the Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs, was recognized for her unwavering commitment to justice, her powerful voice in policy, and her work leading a legislative agenda driven by the Latino community itself.

• LatinoLEAD Solidarity Award: Nora Anderson, a non-Latine individual with over two decades of experience in global leadership development, was recognized for her persistent dedication and unwavering support in championing representation, equity, and access for Latine professionals.

• LatinoLEAD Emerging Leader of the Year: Xavier Vázquez, visionary nonprofit leader and Executive Director of Centro Tyrone Guzman, was celebrated for his authentic leadership, purpose, and championing equitable access to resources.

• LatinoLEAD Leader of the Year: Marlon Ferrey, who has served the community for over three decades at Centro Tyrone Guzman, was honored for his remarkable achievements and unwavering commitment to uplifting the community, serving as a role model.

The ceremony also recognized key collaborators with the LatinoLEAD Partner Award: Metropolitan State University for generously hosting and sharing resources, and BetterWorld Partners for their invaluable support in helping LatinoLEAD grow and thrive.

Thank You, LatinoLEADers!

LíderCon 2025 was a tremendous success because of the collective effort of our attendees, speakers, sponsors, and our tireless team of dedicated volunteers. Thank you for showing up, for sharing your stories, and for being a part of this movement. Your presence is the truest expression of our collective strength. We are excited to see the seeds we've planted this year grow into a future filled with possibility—juntos.

A Gratitude for Our LíderCon Familia

LíderCon 2025 was a tremendous success because of the collective dedication of our entire family. In moments marked by socio-political uncertainty and the rise of anti-immigrant and anti-Latine rhetoric, LatinoLEAD is committed to creating necessary spaces of belonging and power. The vibrant energy of this conference was a powerful rebuttal to division, affirming that our unity is our strength. We extend our deepest gratitude to our incredible Staff for their tireless work and vision; to our Board of Directors for their unwavering governance and commitment; to our key Partners and generous Sponsors whose belief in our mission made this milestone possible; and especially to our amazing team of Volunteers, whose energy and service ensured a seamless and welcoming experience for every attendee. Your unified commitment is the engine of the LatinoLEAD movement. 

Our 2025 Sponsors include:

• Best Buy

• Fairview

• Target 

• Old National Bank 

• Hennepin County

• Greater Twin Cities United Way

• Latino Chamber of Commerce

• Children’s MN 

• Telemundo 

• Blue Cross Blue Shield 

• US Bank 

• Xcel Energy 

• PCL Construction

• Nigoja Productions

Stay Connected and Support Our Movement

• Don't let the momentum stop here! The work of advancing Latine influence, success, and power continues year-round.

• Stay Connected: Sign up for the LatinoLEAD Nuestra Fuerza newsletter to receive updates on our programs, events, and opportunities to engage.

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