The Latino Donor Collaborative (LDC) launched The LDC Latina Initiative with a special event honoring billion-dollar business founders Patty Arvielo and Linda Alvarado for their pioneering contributions to the U.S. economy.
The Latina Paradigm Shift .
New York, NY – November 19–20, 2024 – The Latino Donor Collaborative (LDC) proudly launched The LDC Latina Initiative. Driven by the strength and vision of Latinas, this groundbreaking program aims to empower the Latina cohort to reach their fullest potential. Through cutting-edge reports, impactful events, and transformative programs, this initiative amplifies Latina voices and paves the way for a new era of leadership, innovation, and boundless opportunity.
The launch kicked off with The Latina Legacy Dinner at Peak at Hudson Yards, sponsored by Wells Fargo, where the LDC honored two trailblazing Latinas: Patty Arvielo and Linda Alvarado. Their contributions to the new mainstream economy and inspiring journeys exemplify the power of resilience, innovation, and impact.
The celebration continued on November 20th at Wells Fargo Connections in New York City, with The 23rd LDC Convening: The Latina Paradigm Shift, supported by United Latinas. The event brought together an exceptional lineup of speakers for thought-provoking panels and discussions.
The Latinas Redefining Narratives panel featured Valeria Aloe (Founder, Rising Together), Ana Marie Argilagos (President, Hispanics in Philanthropy), Ivette Rodriguez (President, American Entertainment Marketing), and Cecilia Orvañanos (Country Director, Population Media Center), moderated by Beatriz Acevedo (CEO & Co-Founder, Suma Wealth, LDC Advisory Network). They discussed how authentic leadership is reshaping industries and inspiring change.
The Latina Leaders Shaping the Evolving Business Landscape panel included Marissa Solis (SVP Global Brand/Consumer Marketing, NFL), Sandra Velasquez (CEO, Nopalera), Millie Carrasquillo (CRO, LatinUS Beauty), and Nina Vaca (CEO, Pinnacle Group). This session, moderated by Ana Pinczuk (Board Member, LDC, SentinelOne, Aptiv), focused on business growth, innovation, and ways to elevate Latina representation.
In the Las Meras Meras Fireside Chat, honorees Linda Alvarado and Patty Arvielo shared their inspiring journeys in an intimate conversation moderated by Ana Valdez (President & CEO, Latino Donor Collaborative). The discussion highlighted the resilience that has shaped their success.
The day concluded with the Allies Conversation, where Pancho Gonzalez (CEO, Lopez Dorada Foods) and Sol Trujillo (Chairman, Latino Donor Collaborative) discussed the importance of allyship in uplifting Latinas across industries. This session, moderated by Patty Juarez (Executive Vice President and Head of Hispanic/Latino Affairs, Wells Fargo, LDC Advisory Network), explored actionable strategies for advancing Latina representation.
“Latinas are transforming the fabric of society—leading businesses, reshaping industries, driving innovation in media, and raising the next generation of Latino leaders,”
said Ana Valdez, President and CEO of the Latino Donor Collaborative.
“We are thrilled to launch the LDC Latina Initiative to celebrate and empower this dynamic cohort. Through groundbreaking reports, impactful events, and transformative programs, starting with honoring Patty Arvielo and Linda Alvarado—two extraordinary examples of Latina leadership—we aim to shape the narrative of Latinas in America and unlock their full potential for the benefit of our nation.”
The convening also served as a collaborative platform for attendees to explore actionable strategies to enhance Latina representation across all sectors of the economy. Attendees engaged in meaningful dialogue, shared experiences, and developed innovative solutions to create lasting impact, ensuring that Latinas are not only represented but are also empowered to lead in every industry.
Honoring Trailblazing Latinas.
At The Latina Legacy Dinner, LDC celebrated the remarkable achievements of Patty Arvielo and Linda Alvarado—two visionaries whose leadership has broken barriers and set new benchmarks for Latinas in business and beyond. Their stories exemplify the power of resilience, innovation, and impact, inspiring future generations to lead with purpose.
Patty Arvielo
Patty Arvielo is an award-winning entrepreneur and Co-Founder and CEO of New American Funding. A first-generation Hispanic, her path to the mortgage industry began at age 16 with a hard work ethic and an entry-level position at TransUnion Credit. From there, she landed a job at a prominent mortgage company, where she rose through the ranks and learned the business from the ground up, eventually becoming a branch manager and assistant vice president.
In 2003, Patty and her husband, Rick Arvielo, launched their own mortgage company, New American Funding. In the years since, Patty has helped transform the company into one of the largest independent mortgage lenders in the United States today, with a servicing portfolio of over 260,000 loans for $70+ billion. She also oversaw the creation and expansion of the company’s retail lending operation, which grew from a small local operation to a national powerhouse with more than 260 locations and thousands of employees across the country.
Today, Patty oversees more than 4,400 employees, 53% of whom are women and 37% from diverse backgrounds.
Linda Alvarado
Linda Alvarado is the founder, President, and CEO of Alvarado Construction, Inc., a commercial general contracting firm that has grown into a major player in the industry. Starting as a small concrete contractor, her company has developed and constructed high-profile projects across the United States and internationally, including the Denver Broncos Empower Field, the Arizona and Colorado Convention Centers, and Kaiser Permanente hospitals. Alvarado’s success in the male-dominated construction industry is a testament to her determination and leadership. In addition to construction, she leads Alvarado Real Estate Development and Palo Alto, Inc., which operates more than 280 Taco Bell and KFC restaurants.
In 1991, Linda made history as the first Latina—and woman—to become an owner of a Major League Baseball team, the Colorado Rockies, breaking barriers in both business and sports management. Alvarado’s influence extends beyond her businesses; she serves on the boards of numerous Fortune 500 companies, such as 3M and Pitney Bowes. Her accomplishments have earned her induction into the National Women’s Hall of Fame and recognition as one of Forbes’ Most Successful Women Entrepreneurs.
Through her civic involvement and philanthropy, Linda continues to inspire Latinas to pursue leadership roles in traditionally male-dominated industries.
Latina Data:
A Snapshot of Impact and Potential ..
Population
Growth
Latinas represent over 22 million women in the U.S., making up nearly 17% of all adult women.
From 2010 to 2022, the Latina population grew by 5.6 million —the largest increase among female ethnic groups.
By 2060, Latinas are projected to comprise almost 30% of the total U.S. female population.
Economic and Entrepreneurial Impact
Challenges
in Representation
Educational Achievements
Workforce Participation
In their own words..
Linda Alvarado
“I’m proud to be a Latina, and I use that pride as fuel to break barriers, challenge expectations, and succeed in a male-dominated industry.”
“When you don’t see someone like you in a leadership position, you need to step up and create the opportunity for others.”
Valeria Aloe
"During COVID, I discovered the Latino Donor Collaborative's reports. The data revealed the immense power of Latinas that is often overlooked. It was my 'lightbulb moment,' inspiring me to embrace our strength and work toward change."
Marissa Solis
"Building allyship takes time. You have to understand individual motivations and align them with the goal of uplifting our community. For me, it started with educating people about the business case for Latinos. Once they saw the data, it was hard to ignore. But it had to go beyond performative efforts like simply putting Latinos in front of the camera. It was about making them the protagonists, showcasing their stories as the driving force behind our country's growth and global influence."
Patty Arvielo
“We’re at the starting line, but this is just the beginning. Latinas, we’re not just a community; we’re a powerful force. We’re not defined by culture or race, but by our unity. I urge each of you to join hands, as that’s our strength. Let’s invest in each other’s ventures, support each other’s businesses, and continue to uplift one another. That’s where our true power lies, ensuring the next generation inherits a robust community. Thank you, and let’s keep lifting each other up!”
Sandra Noemi Torres
"It’s time for us to come together and build the organizations we know we can create. When we collaborate instead of operating in silos, we can achieve those goals. Stop seeing others as competition—we are not competitors; we are family. Though still growing, our community’s strength lies in unity. Together, we can build empires—the kind Solar might finance one day. That’s the mission: working united to achieve greatness. Thank you all, and thank you, Ana and Sol, for making this possible."
Beatriz Acevedo
"As an immigrant from Mexico, I never felt like 'the other' until I moved to the U.S. When I walked into rooms to raise capital, I noticed that all the men looked identical—same jackets, same shoes. Instead of feeling intimidated, I felt empowered. I’m deeply proud of being Latina, and I see my identity as a strength that sets me apart. My pride drives me to own every space I walk into."
Nina Vaca
"For me, leadership is simple: it’s about creating the conditions for others to succeed, especially Latinas. At Pinnacle, I focus on improving lives through opportunity, ensuring that Latinas have spaces to grow and thrive. But success isn’t just about leaders—it’s about individuals taking personal responsibility to seize those opportunities. That balance is what builds an award-winning company."
Ana Marie Argilagos
"As a White-presenting Latina, I often felt caught between expectations and perceptions. People were surprised by my identity, and I faced constant tension. But I realized I could use that to open doors and redefine the narrative. The work we're doing to showcase the diverse realities of Latinas is essential, breaking down monolithic stereotypes and embracing the power of our stories."
About the Latino Donor Collaborative..
The Latino Donor Collaborative (LDC) is a non-profit and non-partisan organization that produces original economic research on the Latino/Hispanic community in the United States. Our data are used by decision-makers and resource allocators to promote growth in the new mainstream American economy. Together with our partners at top U.S. research centers, we produce fact-based data to identify opportunities.