The Latino Donor Collaborative (LDC) leads The LDC Latina Initiative, an ongoing effort to empower Latinas through data-driven insights, high-impact events, and strategic programs that elevate their leadership and economic influence across the U.S.
The Latina Paradigm Shift .
The Latino Donor Collaborative (LDC) leads The LDC Latina Initiative, an ongoing effort to empower Latinas through data-driven insights, high-impact events, and strategic programs that elevate their leadership and economic influence across the U.S.
The Latino Donor Collaborative (LDC) proudly leads The LDC Latina Initiative, a long-term effort powered by the strength and vision of Latinas. This ongoing initiative is designed to empower the Latina cohort to reach their fullest potential through cutting-edge reports, impactful events, and transformative programs that amplify Latina voices and pave the way for a new era of leadership, innovation, and opportunity.
Launched in New York City in November 2024, the initiative continued with a second event at the Terranea Resort in California in March 2025 and a third event in New York City in December 2025. It is steadily growing into a national platform that highlights Latina leadership, expands access to opportunity, and shapes the narrative of Latinas in America.
25th LDC Convening: The Latina Business Uprise.
The 25th LDC Convening gathered key decision-makers and featured powerfully engaging panels to celebrate and examine the ways Latinas are shaping the future of the United States across sectors including business, finance, media, and public policy.
The Seats of Influence panel featured Michelle Caruso-Cabrera (Board Director, The Wendy’s Company), Alicia Enciso (Independent Board Director, Bacardi), and Herb Scannell (Former CEO, Southern California Public Radio). They discussed U.S. Latina representation in corporate leadership and how it translates into stronger governance, greater innovation, and superior market performance.
The Marketing Mavericks panel included Marissa Solis (SVP Global Brand/Consumer Marketing, NFL), Elisa Padilla (Former CMO, NYC Red Bulls), Maria Lopez Twena (Former CMO, Adsmovil), and moderator Sol Trujillo (Co-Founder & Chairman, The Latino Donor Collaborative). This session focused on top U.S. Latina CMOs discussing how they have unlocked the potential of the trillion-dollar U.S. Latina market, driving brand leadership, innovation and sustained competitive advantage.
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In the Power in the Company, its Stakeholders and its Consumers panel, Marie-Therese Dominguez (NYC Department of Transportation Commissioner), Jessica Santiago Byrd (Marketing Director, IKEA), Graciela Chadwick (Former COO, Crumbl Cookies) and moderator José Ramón González (Former Chief Legal Officer, Equitable Holdings, and LDC Board Member). The discussion highlighted U.S. Latinas’ role in reshaping corporations, demonstrating that U.S. Latino inclusion is a catalyst for business success.
The day continued with the Powerful SheEO panel, where Pilar Garcia Bonilla (Co-Founder & CEO, Productor LATINA), Rosa Santana (CEO, Santana Group), Nina Vaca (CEO, Pinnacle) and moderator Pancho Gonzalez (CEO, Lopez Dorada) discussed how U.S. Latina CEOs harness courage, creativity and hard-earned grit to reshape corporate strategy and culture; and redefine what’s possible at the highest levels of leadership.
The following panel, Controlling Our Narrative While Driving Top-Line Growth featured Bruce Barshop (Executive Producer, Mucho Mas Media), Jeff Valdez (Principal, New Cadence Productions) and moderator Ana Valdez (President & CEO, The Latino Donor Collaborative) in a conversation on why Hollywood hasn’t properly engaged the trillion-dollar U.S. Latino market yet, and if it is too late to do so.
The day closed with a fireside chat between Patty Juarez (EVP, Public Affairs and External Engagement, Wells Fargo, LDC Advisory Network) and Pati Jinich (James Beard Award-Winning Chef and Host of Pati’s Mexican Table), as they discussed our food as a vehicle to build bridges and power.
“We cross over. We need to start using the power of our purse, the power of our voice, awarding our money to the people that are actually considering our stories and putting them out there.”
said Ana Valdez, President and CEO of the Latino Donor Collaborative.
The 25th LDC Convening was sponsored by Wells Fargo.
Honoring Latina Resilience.
In the 2025 Latina Legacy Dinner, we were proud to present the Latina Legacy Award to John Leguizamo and the Latina lead cast of his play The Other Americans; Luna Lauren Vélez, Rosa Arredondo, and Rebecca Jimenez, for their powerfully unique portrayal of Latina resilience. This is an annual high-profile dinner celebrating the LDC Latina Initiative, where we honor exceptional Latina leaders whose vision and achievements embody transformational leadership.
John Leguizamo
An Emmy Award–winning actor, writer, and producer whose career spans more than 100 films and countless television, theater, and literary projects. His recent work includes writing and performing The Other Americans at The Public Theater; hosting and executive producing MSNBC’s Leguizamo Does America; starring in Apple TV’s Smoke; appearing in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey; and reprising his iconic role as Sid in Disney’s Ice Age 6.
His additional credits include The Green Veil, Bob Trevino Likes It, PBS’ VOCES: American Historia—The Untold History of Latinos, Tin Soldier, The Power, Waco: The Aftermath, and the acclaimed film The Menu.
A Tony Award winner for Latin History for Morons and recipient of multiple Emmy, ALMA, Obie, and Drama Desk honors, Leguizamo is one of the most influential advocates for Latino representation in the arts. He continues to champion data, visibility, and equity for the Latino community. Leguizamo lives in New York City with his wife and two children.
We honor him for his unwavering commitment to elevating Latino voices and ensuring our stories are seen, valued, and told.
Luna Lauren Vélez, Rosa Arredondo & Rebecca Jimenez
We honored the extraordinary lead Latina cast of John Leguizamo’s off-Broadway play The Other Americans, for bringing to life a story that highlights the strength, resilience, and brilliance of our community. Their work reflects the enduring spirit of Latinos throughout history and ensures our stories are told with authenticity, dignity, and heart.
Luna Lauren Vélez is an acclaimed actress making her Arena Stage debut under the direction of Ruben Santiago-Hudson. Her theater credits include Broadway’s Into the Woods, Picasso at the Lapin Agile at The Old Globe, and Water by the Spoonful at the Mark Taper Forum. On television, she has starred in New York Undercover, HBO’s Oz, Amazon’s American Rust, and Showtime’s Emmy Award–winning Dexter, earning multiple ALMA Awards. Her film work includes Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, The First Purge, Shaft, and I Like It Like That, for which she received an Independent Spirit Award nomination.
Rosa Arredondo is a New York–born, multi-hyphenate artist who originated the role of Norma in John Leguizamo’s The Other Americans. Her screen work includes So Help Me Todd, Roswell, New Mexico, Ava DuVernay’s When They See Us, Mare of Easttown, and recurring roles on Ordinary Joe, Quantico, and Gone. On stage, she has appeared in the Broadway revival of A Streetcar Named Desire and Danny and the Deep Blue Sea, earning a Best Actress nomination. She wrote and starred in the one-woman show I Walked Across the Ocean Floor, later adapted into a feature film, and has appeared in Still Alice, winner of an Academy Award, as well as Baby Girl. Her work centers on elevating voices and stories too often left unheard.
Rebecca Jimenez is a Miami-born actor and writer with a BFA in Acting from SUNY Purchase and musical theater training from the New World School of the Arts. Her stage credits include The Other Americans and The Comedy of Errors at The Public Theater, Our Dear Dead Drug Lord at WP Theater/Second Stage, Indian Princesses at La Jolla Playhouse, and The Other Americans at Arena Stage. She stars in the short film The Spanish Lesson, featured at major festivals nationwide, and continues to develop new work with institutions such as New York Theatre Workshop, Playwrights Horizons, Playwrights Realm, and Roundabout Theatre Company.
The Latina Legacy Dinner was sponsored by Wells Fargo.
24th LDC Convening: The 2nd Latina Initiative Event.
The LDC convening provided attendees with specific data, tools, and strategies to effectively engage U.S. Latino audiences, one of the fastest-growing and most profitable markets in the country. Our 2nd Latina Initiative event continued the conversation on how U.S. Latinas are pillars of the new mainstream economy. This event celebrated the increasing visibility, impact, and leadership of Latinas across all sectors, shaping a new narrative defined by resilience, success, and empowerment.
2025 LDC U.S. Latinas Overview™ Report Presentation by Ana Valdez (President & CEO, LDC) and Fernanda Cortes (Influencer & Content Creator), showcasing the economic strength and growing influence of Latinas.
Exclusive Screening of “Lilly” – a powerful film starring Academy Award nominee Patricia Clarkson, highlighting Lilly Ledbetter’s historic fight for workplace equality.
Shaping the Narrative” Panel moderated by Diana Luna (NALIP), featuring Liliana Pérez (LA Chargers), Laura Salinas (Women In Film), and Nora Vargas (Former County Supervisor, San Diego). They discussed pathways for Latinas to shift perceptions, dismantle stereotypes, and create new narratives of resilience and success.
23rd LDC Convening: The Latina Paradigm Shift.
The first convening fully focused on highlighting the pivotal role and profound impact of Latina leaders on the new mainstream economy, celebrating the launch of the LDC Latina Initiative.
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 (EVP, Public Affairs and External Engagement, 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.
The 23rd LDC Convening was sponsored by Wells Fargo.
Honoring Trailblazing Latinas.
At 2024 Latina Legacy Dinner, the 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.
The Latina Legacy Dinner was sponsored by Wells Fargo.
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.
