Speakers

Hispanicize 2013 Speakers. Please note: This page is being updated weekly, check back often for new speaker announcementsy.

	Amanda Taylor (@ATay5 and @LasGringasBlog) first fell in love with the Latin culture during her freshman year Spanish class when the teacher assigned a Chayanne music video for homework. While she is 100% gringa from a Southern family, Amanda discovered her alma latina through intense Spanish language studies, friendships with Latinos, and travels to Mexico, Nicaragua, and Ecuador. In pursuit of a career in Hispanic marketing, Amanda moved from Tennessee to Miami and that’s where the fun began! In 2012, together with her best friend and fellow gringa, Molly Haas, Amanda co-founded Las Gringas Blog, a Latino entertainment and lifestyle website, as an outlet to express her love for all-things-Latino. La Roja, as she is known on Las Gringas Blog, has interviewed big name artists like Daddy Yankee and Wisin Y Yandel but also enjoys exploring the 305 for up-and-coming talent to feature on the site.
	Vanessa Diaz is the Founder and Publisher of two very successful blogs, The Queen of Swag and Disney Domain. She provides her readers with a fun, entertaining, and relatable experience by sharing the latest on her geeky family, her love of Disney & Star Wars, her favorite products, celebrity interviews, movie reviews, travel destinations, the latest on new technology and more! The Queen of Swag was voted one of the top 25 Product Review Blogs in the country by CircleofMoms.com. She has been featured and has contributed to various blogs and networks all over the internet. She has formed many partnerships and initiated major campaigns with many nationally-known brands and also acts as an ambassador for many brands. Her passion for partnering with brands and bringing a voice to the causes close to her heart keeps her blogging today.
	Ted Rubin is the Chief Social Marketing Officer of Collective Bias a Social Shopper Media Company that drives retail sales through the coordinated creation of social media stories. He is a leading social marketing strategist and in March 2009 started using and evangelizing the term ROR, Return on Relationship™. Many people in the social media world know Ted for his enthusiastic, energetic and undeniably personal connection to people. Ted is the most followed CMO on Twitter according to Social Media Marketing Magazine. ROR is the basis of his philosophy…It’s All About Relationships! His book, Return on Relationship, is due to be officially released before the end of the month. Connect with Ted… http://TedRubin.com or @TedRubin. Ted will be speaking in the session ” ROR and Advocacy”.
	Veronica Villafañe is an Emmy award-winning bilingual multi-media journalist, has worked for Spanish and English-language broadcast, print and online media. An expert on Hispanic media, she is the founder, Editor and Publisher of the highly regarded industry news site Media Moves. The popular website covers Latinos in the media and the issues that affect the industry. In addition to running Media Moves, she is a columnist for Poder Hispanic magazine, a freelance writer and editor and a media consultant. A former national President of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ), she has been actively involved in numerous journalism association boards and has been an advocate for the inclusion of more Latinos in the nation’s newsrooms. Due to her high profile as President of NAHJ, her advocacy and strong push to improve mediacoverage of Hispanics, she was named one of the 100 most influential Hispanics in the U.S. by Hispanic Business magazine.
	Laura I. Gomez (@ laura) is an Entrepreneur and the Founder of Digital Playbook. Also, she has been working in Silicon Valley for over twelve years. After working in SEM and SEO at AKQA, she worked for Google managing YouTube monetization in Asia Pacific and Latin America. She then went on to other startups such as SAY Media and Consorte Hispanic Network. She joined Twitter in 2009, where she was the first international team member @ Twitter. She started as head of localization (international) of Twitter into nearly 50 languages. During his time on Twitter, Laura and her team were instrumental in negotiations and business expansion with organizations like FIFA, Bundesliga, FEMEXFUT and CBF, brands like Burberry, Nike and Coca-Cola and Israeli Embassies in Washington D.C and federal governments of over 20 countries worldwide
	Yoly Mason is a professional Latina blogger, vlogger and brand ambassador living in the Mayor New York area. She is also the Ffounder and editor of the award winning frugal blog Cuponeando.net; a pioneer in its niche. In 2011, she founded Las Blogueras, a support community of Latina bloggers who prefer to communicate in Spanish.Ronny Mason is a 10 year Air Force veteran with 19 years of proven Fortune 500 company performance! Ronny left his corporate positionin May 2012 to join Yoly as the media & marketing director of Las Blogueras Network, LLC. Ronny is an active business consultant and coach for multiple numerous multimillion dollar companies where he has produced growth, revenue and profit results.
	Connie Burke In January 1985, a large group of pop stars descended upon Hollywood to record “We Are the World” for charity. Connie Burke was not among them. Instead, she hung her fresh college degrees, (in Advertising, English and Journalism) in the Technical Center offices of General Motors, where she honed her communications and PR chops. When GM needed to add a voice for their social media efforts, Connie decided it was time to step out of her darkened cubicle and into the light. She has 100 octane blood, collects Coca Cola memorabilia, rides a Harley Davidson 1200 Custom Sportster and both her kids are chefs (one in pastry, one a culinary dude). Although based in Detroit, she is typically in Chicago 3 or more times/month for work, and considers herself a Chi-Troiter.
	Emilio C. Sanchez is the President of LA VOX Media Group, the parent company of VOXXI.com and Saludify.comand serves as Editor-in-Chief of both. His media experience in the U.S. Hispanic and Latin American markets spans more than 20 years. He was the former editor of EFE News Agency with a successful track record in Spain, Brussels, Washington and Miami.He is a frequent guest on U.S., Latin American and Spanish television and radio programs such as Univision’s “Al Punto con Jorge Ramos,” “Andres Oppenheimer Presenta,” CNN en Español and PBS. He also co-authored the book “Arriortúa. Superlópez y la guerra oculta entre General Motors y Volkswagen,” published by Ediciones Temas de Hoy.
	Eric Paz, publicist and TV producer with more than 25 years of experience. Lives in Austin, TX with his family since 2002. A car aficionado that particularly enjoys sport cars. Eric produces directs and hosts Autoshow, which is the only Spanish speaking automotive TV show for the Latino market in the central region of the Unites States with more than 130 episodes aired. He works with major brands like GM, Chrysler, Ford, Lexus, Infiniti, Mazda, Toyota, Scion, Mercedes Benz and many others, making car reviews and captioning real experiences with the latest vehicles in the market
	Cessie Cerrato joins Palace Resorts as the Public Relations Manager, overseeing all 7 of the brand’s properties in Mexico.Cessie has nearly seven years of public relations experience, five of which have been focused on travel and luxury tourism. Cerrato has carried out public relations campaigns which have included crisis communications, external communications, media relations, marketing and cross promotion, journalism and event planning. She has worked with top brands such as government authorities, tourism authorities, luxury travel resorts, and top consumer brands. Cerrato joined Palace after spending nearly five years with Newlink Group, where she lead the agency’s top accounts such as the Cancun Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Mexico Tourism Board (MTB), Visit Panama, Los Cabos, Aeromexico, the States of Jalisco & Quintana Roo, One Bal Harbour Resort & Spa, Expedia Inc., Bacardi, HATUEY, ESPN Deportes and many more. In the journalistic arena, Cerrato was an assistant producer for “Primer Impacto” on Univision and was reporter and producer for the PBS affiliate in Gainesville, WUFT Channel 5.
	Hirania Luzardo is a senior editor/reporter, blogger and columnist for Huffington Post. She has extensive knowledge in television production gained as a producer for Univision Network and Discovery Channel. Additionally, a decade ago she was breaking ground in launching the digital platform for Univision.com. She has worked at the United States headquarters of Televisa Editorial print media. She has been recognized and received several journalist awards for her work in investigative reporting related to immigration, the US-Mexico border, religion and fragmentation of Hispanic families by immigration.
	Hugo Pérez is a Sr. Vice President/Group Account Director at Zócalo Group, Omnicom’s Premier Word-of-Mouth Marketing Firm, where he is a lead strategist and client relationship manager. He also heads up the Hispanic marketing practice. Throughout two decades as a communications professional and storyteller, Hugo’s extensive client-side experience has allowed him to participate, create and lead programs in fast moving consumer goods, telecommunications, health and beauty, pharmaceuticals, education, entertainment, and pet care, among many others. An Emmy-award winner, he has vast experience across print, broadcast and all digital mediums. Most recently, as an independent film producer his short films Grande Drip and Knight to D7 have been official selections and winners at dozens of festivals and have been featured at special screenings at Sundance. His first feature film project is making the rounds in Holllywood.
	Agatha Kubalski is a Senior Account Supervisor at Zócalo Group, where she oversees general market and Hispanic social media and word of mouth programs, driving work that sparks authentic conversations. Her work at the agency for clients like Cricket Wireless, Amway and Supercuts has resulted in recommendations and millions of social media impressions among music tastemakers, Latino influencers, mom bloggers, beauty experts and various other audiences. She has also set up and grown online communities for brands, including general market and Latino audiences, driving culturally relevant content and consumer engagement. Prior to Zocalo Group, Agatha worked at The San Jose Group, an integrated Hispanic market agency, where she developed and executed Hispanic public relations programs for clients like U.S. Cellular, H&R Block, ComEd, the Illinois Bureau of Tourism and the Chicago White Sox.
	Christina Elizabeth Rodríguez is a founder and head of business development at Pícaro Media, a full-service media company committed to creating authentic compelling content for the New Generation Latino. Rodríguez is a Mexican-American journalist by trade in metropolitan Chicago. She graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, College of Media with a master’s degree in journalism and started her writing career at Café Media in 2008. Along with writing, she developed a much needed skill set in digital and social media platforms, encountering the world of marketing and its importance to publications online and offline alike.
	Francisco Cortes is the director of FoxNewsLatino.com. Francisco Cortes is dedicated to keeping the pulse of the Hispanic community. A key player in helping create and launch the ground-breaking English-language news site in 2010, Francisco now leads and mentors a team of experienced journalists through all phases of content creation. He is responsible for growing and expanding key partnerships throughout the Hispanic marketplace; including new business development and talent recruitment. Reaching across all of Fox News’ platforms and Affiliates, FoxNewsLatino.com is now partnering with MundoFox.
	Gaby Natale is the host and co-executive producer of SuperLatina, the three-time EMMY-nominated syndicated TV talk-show. She is also the co-founder and President of AGANARmedia, a content development company specializing in branded digital campaigns and grassroots marketing. AGANARmedia’s clients include Fortune 500 companies such as Ford Motor Co., Unilever, McDonald’s, Direct Energy and MetroPCS. Gaby Natale is one of the few women in the entertainment industry who owns not only the rights to her TV show but also a television studio. This unique situation has allowed her to combine her passion for media and her entrepreneurial spirit. In the digital world, Gaby has developed her own online fan base, with over 10 million views on Youtube (growing at a pace of 500,000 per month) and 20,000 Twitter followers @superlatinashow. You can find more information about Gaby and her company in www.aganarmedia.com
	Loren Medina is the president and founder of Digital Girl Inc. and manager of 2-‐time Grammy nominated band, Locos Por Juana. Digital Girl Inc. (2009) is a publicity and digital marketing company that creates unique and effective marketing campaigns for musical artists, film companies, record labels, and events such as concerts, festivals and tours. The company focuses on generating ideas that persuade, cultivate, and establish a following for their clients. Some of Digital Girl Inc.’s clients include music icons such as Shakira, Maná, Calle 13, Draco, Aventura and companies such as AEG, Epic Records, Sony Music, Angelo Medina Enterprise, among others. Loren Medina has worked in the music industry for over 12 years, 4 of which she worked for Sony Music as a label manager. For the last 4 years she has been focused on growing Digital Girl and positioning the company as the leading digital marketing and publicity company in the industry.
	Lorena Diaz is a tall Latina, to say the least. At 5’10 this actress/ writer/ producer is tough to miss. Lorena has over 12 years of experience in the entertainment industry. She’s a well known actress in Chicago who has worked with iO Chicago and Second City as well as digging her roots into the Latino Theatre scene. She has been nationally recognized for her work as an actor, winning the coveted title of Best Supporting Actress for the Miami New Times “Best Of” issue as well as being a featured performer with the TBS Just for Laughs Festival in 2009, 10 and 11. Latina Magazine featured her work with Dominizuelan (the only female Latina comedy duo in the country), calling it “The future of Latino comedy”.
	Lorraine C. Ladish is Editor-in-Chief of Mamiverse.com, an online publication for Latina Moms. The mother of two young girls, Lorraine is fully bilingual and bicultural. She has authored 15 books of non-fiction on the subject of women’s issues and empowerment. In addition, she has written and published two novels. She has contributed to The Palm Beach Post (La Palma), People en Español, Redbook and Mamiverse in the past, and was the managing editor of VOXXI Mujer, an online news site for English-speaking Hispanics. She is based in Sarasota, FL with her blended family. Lorraine successfully made the transition from print to digital media and is considered and expert in this field.
	Mando Rayo is vp of engagement at Cultural Strategies. Mando’s experience is deep rooted in the community. Rayo offers content and training that focuses on building capacity and creating change with multicultural prospects, specifically the Latino community for nonprofits and for-profits alike. Mando’s alter ego, as Austin’s resident taco ambassador for TacoJournalism.com, brings flavor and fun to his work and has been building the taco community in Austin through reviews, taco insights, taco tours and taco buzz via social media. Rayo has been featured in the New York Times, Chronicle of Philanthropy & NPR’s MarketPlace
	Manny Santos, Director of MultiVu Latino, the Hispanic division for MultiVu – the broadcast and multimedia arm of PRNewswire- is a three-time Emmy Award-winning media professional with over fifteen years of experience in television and video production, as well as marketing, advertising and public relations. Manny provides creative strategic counsel and full client support to interactive marketing and PR initiatives that combine traditional and emerging communication tactics driving brand awareness and higher audience reach for MultiVu Latino clients.
	Mike Foley leads Hispanic marketing for Post Foods in the U.S. and marketing strategy for all Post brands globally. He is responsible for managing the growing Hispanic portfolio of Post Foods cereal brands including the second largest national Hispanic cereal brand, Honey Bunches of Oats, and the fourth largest kid’s national Hispanic cereal brand, Pebbles. Mike and his team have developed and executed a robust strategy that has lead Post to double digit growth. Their efforts have established Post as a well respected brand with consumers and a Hispanic marketing leader with our retail partners.
	Monique Frausto, a communications graduate of Cal Poly Pomona, lives in Los Angeles with her husband and is a full-time blogger. Born and raised in Pomona, California, she discovered blogging as a way to keep her writing fresh. Little did she know it would become her passion. In 2008, she searched the Internet for fellow Latina bloggers and only found a few. That’s when she created Blogs by Latinas, which is now an international directory of over 2000 Latina bloggers. Monique has also founded the fashion and beauty blog CurvesandChaos.com and freelances as a writer.
	Laura Termini (@chicanol) is an actress, broadcaster and businesswoman that has been featured in over 20 soap-operas and plays. She is also a radio personality and producer and her voice has been featured in countless TV and Radio commercials, such as in the US. Spanish language voice in President Obama’s 2008 Presidential Campaign. As the creator of Natural, Orgánica y Latina she shares her expertise in organic lifestyle and holistic nutrition with Latin women. Her audience can relate to her unique style, tips, experiences, interviews and outlook on life. You can find Laura Termini on twitter.
	Paul Rand, President and CEO of Zócalo Group, brings incredible energy, vision and leadership to the Agency. He is the driving force that guides Zócalo’s word of mouth and social media marketing efforts to make clients the most talked about and recommended brands in their category. Paul also serves on the board of the Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org), is the immediate past president and current board member of the Word of Mouth Marketing Association (www.womma.org) and is a leader of the Dean’s Advisory Board for DePaul University’s Graduate School of Business. Prior to launching Zócalo Group, Paul was a Partner, Executive Committee member and the Global Chief Development and Innovation Officer for Ketchum, one of the world’s leading public relations firms. Paul also served as the Director of Ketchum’s Global Technology Practice and Managing Director for its Midwest operations.
	Chris Peña is the Executive Editor of NBCLatino.com; an English-language lifestyle and news digital destination focused on U.S. Hispanics. As Executive Editor, Chris leads all aspects of the business, from P&L to operations, staffing & hiring, editorial direction and oversight of sales and marketing. The site aims to super-serve an under-addressed market: the more than 25 million U.S. Hispanic online news consumers who prefer news and information content in English. In Houston, Chris also worked at three other television stations, including a six-year role in the sports department at the Fox-owned station in the market
	Rene Alegria is the founding CEO of Mamiverse Media, a company dedicated to providing empowering content for online Latina moms and families. A twenty-year veteran of creating content for the Hispanic community, he was also the founding former Publisher of Rayo/HarperCollins, an award-winning publishing imprint centered on giving voice to the Latino experience through books. He has worked with and nurtured some of the most celebrated Hispanic authors/celebs from around the world, including: Univision’s Jorge Ramos, Maria Elena Salinas, and Maria Antonieta Collins, Project Runway’s Nina Garcia; PBS’s Ray Suarez; Grammy Award-Winning artists Gloria Estefan and Celia Cruz; People en Español’s Armando Correa; ABC’s John Quiñones, among many others.
	Rory Lassanske is one of the most active and influential blogueras en Español. She started blogging in 2009. Her award-winning blog, MamaContemporanea.com, is the ultimate resource for modern Latina moms in the U.S and around the world. Rory has worked on many successful campaigns, and is the ambassador for brands such as Pampers, Johnson’s Baby, Que Rica Vida, Vive Mejor, Hunt’s and Terra. She is a current contributor to Blogs de Mamas de TodoBebe, Plaza Familia, Las Blogueras.com, and previously contributed to Ser Padres (Mimo’s blog), and others. Her passion for Social Media has resulted in opportunities to co-host exclusives for site events for various brands. Rory has been featured on Univision, Telemundo, and CNN en Español.
	Ruben Navarrette Jr. is a syndicated columnist with The Washington Post Writers Group whose twice-a-week column appears in more than 120 newspapers. He is a CNN contributor who writes a weekly column for CNN.COM. He serves on the USA Today Board of Contributors and writes essays for PODER and LATINO Magazines. He gives speeches on the lecture circuit, moderates panels, and referees political debates. He has worked for the Arizona Republic, Dallas Morning News, and San Diego Union-Tribune. He has offered commentary and analysis on CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, PBS, and the BBC.A graduate of Harvard College and Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, he is the author of “A Darker Shade of Crimson: Odyssey of a Harvard Chicano.” Navarrette lives in the San Diego area with his wife and three children.
	Terrance Gaines has been interested in technology ever since he can remember. He realized his passion for technology of all kinds when he worked at an electronics store selling Audio/Video gear to make some money during college. In 2008, he decided to share his techie background and unique writing skills, and created BrothaTech where he helps people integrate technology into their everyday lives. In addition to his brand, Terrance has also written technology news that empowers the African American community for BlackWeb20 and BlackEnterprise. He currently writes about mobile app news and reviews for PC Magazine’s AppScout.com
	Ulysses John Terrero, a Dominican native and New York raised, has the honor of being the first Latin Dominican Male to earn a “Casting” credit in Hollywood. Mr. Terrero decided to take matters into his own hands and became a gateway for African American & Latinos to get a shot in filmmaking, either in front or behind the camera. Ten years into his casting career Mr. Terrero decided to take on a new challenge to him in the filming industry. He began dabbling with the directing/creative aspect of production, shooting several videos with Artist such as Wisin Y Yandel, Aventura, Enrique Iglesis, Juan Luis Guerra, just to name a few. 2013 is all about WWW.UlyssesTerrero.com ! UTC is his casting portal and UTV is his new Network he is launching, bring you some amazing original content that the Networks don’t understand. UT NATION is the future!!!
	Wendy Mateo is Executive Producer aka “La Capitana” for Pícaro Media, a bicultural content creation company for the New Generation Latino market. Wendy’s background comes from acting and comedy on stage and screen, most notably with Dominizuelan, named “The future of Latino comedy” by Latina Magazine. Wendy has also been a featured performer in the TBS Just for Laughs Festival in 2009, 2010, and 2011. In this face of new media, Pícaro is primed to be the go-to place for authentic and relevant bicultural content.
	Jason Riveiro leads Multicultural Marketing for The Sherwin-Williams Company. With over 3,500 stores, Jason oversees strategy aimed at increasing B2B and B2C transactions in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. Previously, Jason managed LaVERDAD Marketing & Media’s public and media relations department. His responsibilities included the development and implementation of Hispanic outreach strategy for clients like Toyota Motor North American and State Farm Insurance. Through his efforts, clients received coverage in some of the nation’s most important media outlets including CNN Español, Telemundo and EFE America.
	Laura Martínez is a journalist and editor specialized in marketing, media and advertising. She is a contributing editor at Multichannel News, and a New York City correspondent for EMMY Magazine. She is also the founder of MiBlogestuBlog.com, a daily commentary on Hispanic-targeted marketing and media. Born in Mexico City, Ms. Martínez completed her high-school education in Singapore, and has lived and worked as a journalist in Mexico City, Santiago de Chile, Buenos Aires and the United States. Throughout her career, she has been behind the creation and launch of groundbreaking media properties, including Nielsen’s Marketing y Medios magazine, an English-language trade publication devoted to explaining the Hispanic market to a non-Spanish speaking audience of executives and marketers, and the Spanish-language weekly edition of The Wall Street Journal.
	Michael Lynch has been winning over diverse fans with his powerful singing voice for years. Born and raised outside of Chicago, Michael has blended diverse influences to create his own distinct flavor of pop music. His musical journey has led him to solo in a gospel choir, to excite Miami nightclub crowds and even to star on national television. Now, Michael has recently returned to the Chicago area and has joined the Ken Arlen Orchestra as a lead vocalist. He has been writing and performing in Chicago, and is currently working on his debut EP.
	Detective Danny Gomez is a Texan, born and raised. Growing up in Dallas, Detective Gomez pursued a career in law enforcement and received a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Dallas Baptist University. After graduation he entered law enforcement and served 10 years in a major metropolitan area. Throughout his time with law enforcement, Danny also furthered his interests in becoming a private detective. His invaluable work as a law enforcement officer helped him make the decision to work in the private sector. Danny is proud to have spent over 12 years with “Cheaters” as Chief Detective. The continued success of the show has allowed him to reach even higher in his work as a private detective. His work with “Cheaters,” as well as his agency, has made the Gomez Detective Agency the leading agency in this field.
	Rick Najera is an award-winning actor-writer-director-producer with credits in film, television, theater and Broadway. He is undeniably one of the most sought after comedic talents in the industry. Honored twice by Hispanic Business Magazine as ‘*100 Most Influential Latinos in America’,* Najera is also one of the most powerful voices in the Latino world today. As one of the only three Latinos in history to write and star in his own show on Broadway, Najera made his Broadway debut in 2005 with his self-written and created, award-winning sketch comedy show, LATINOLOGUES™. Rick Najera has been recognized and featured in publications such as Hollywood Reporter, Variety, Hispanic Magazine, Latin Style, Latin Heat, Sister Cities, Hispanic Outlook and on television shows such as NBC’s Hispanics Today, Univision’s Aqui y Ahora, Despierta America, Escandalo TV, Primer Impacto, El Gordo y La Flaca, among others.
	Christine Armario is a journalist with The Associated Press in Miami. In 2012, she was named one of the “50 Top Latino Voices to Follow on Twitter” by the Huffington Post. She currently writes about Hispanic affairs. Armario is one of the founders of the South Florida chapter of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and a graduate of Columbia University’s School of Journalism. Follow her on Twitter: @cearmario
	Felecia Hatcher is the author of How to Start a Business on a Ramen Noodle Budget, a social entrepreneur and the Chief Popsicle of Feverish Ice Cream & Gourmet Pops. Before launching Feverish, Felecia worked as a experiential marketing manager for Nintendo, Sony and the WNBA. Hatcher has been honored by the White House as one of the Top 100 Entrepreneurs under 30, Featured on the NBC Today Show, The Cooking Channel, Essence Magazine, Black Enterprise and Grio’s 100 African American’s Making History. Felecia’s social missions included PopPreneurs- teaching kids entrepreneurship through donated ice cream carts to decrease youth unemployment.
	Andy Unanue is a Managing Partner of AUA Private Equity Partners, LLC and is a member of AUA’s Investment Committee. Prior to founding the firm, Mr. Unanue established AU & Associates, LLC, the family office for the Unanue family. Previously, he held various positions with Goya Foods, Inc. between 1991-2004. Mr. Unanue was Goya’s Chief Operating Officer (1999-2004) managing the daily operations of Goya’s U.S. business. Mr. Unanue was involved in strategic planning, new product development, advertising, media, and community relations. One of his greatest successes included expanding Goya’s recognition from primarily Hispanic homes to becoming a household name. The American Advertising Federation has awarded Mr. Unanue the Diversity Achievement Award as ‘Industry Influential.
	Alberto Sardiñasis the host of “Íntimo”, a leading syndicated radio show in the U.S. Hispanic market broadcasted by Univision Radio. Each night, Alberto receives phone calls from listeners looking to share their stories and receive a friendly opinion. Thousands of people listen to him nightly, and watch him as a contributor on network television shows such as “Despierta América” and “Tu Desayuno Alegre”. His career and personal story were featured on Univision’s award-winning journalistic newsmagazine,“Aquí y Ahora” (http://youtu.be/YaDgo7OjiAw). As part of his community work, he is actively involved with non-profit organizations including St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Big Brothers Big Sisters. He is also a Member of the Board of Radio Lollipop USA. Alberto was chosen by Radio Ink magazine as one of its 2012 Rising Stars. Twitter handle: @albertosardinas
	Javier Garcia is a Digital Media executive with more than 15 years of leadership experience developing digital media, mobile, and technology ventures for both, Fortune 500 corporations and early-stage start-ups. For the past 6 years, Javier has focused on U.S. Hispanic and Latin America ventures with Yahoo!. Javier is currently the General Manager of Yahoo! U.S. Hispanic. Under his leadership Yahoo! has revamped the business by expanding the advertising solutions portfolio on Yahoo! en Español; launched new bicultural properties such as Shine Latina; and executed partnership deals with Sony Music Latin to co-produce branded entertainment programs.
	Carlina Rodríguez has been with SAG-AFTRA since 2002 after over 15 years of experience working in various capacities for the Directors Guild of America (DGA) in both New York and Florida. Carlina headed the Southeastern office for the DGA from 1994-2000, where she monitored compliance for all DGA production in the Southeast and Puerto Rico, organizing film directors, production companies and implementing membership services for members in the entire Southeast, including Florida, North Carolina and Puerto Rico. Carlina works out of the SAG-AFTRA Miami Local as Director, Spanish Language Media Industry Relations.
	Suzette Laboyis a Multimedia Reporter for The Associated Press in Miami with extensive experience in breaking news. Since 2004, she has been responsible for producing regional and national video reports for the AP while also contributing to the national print wire. She began her career at the AP as a Broadcast Editor, writing wire copy for radio and television stations in Florida. She also manages the Florida AP Broadcast Board, a group for professional journalists across the state, and coordinates the annual broadcast contest. Suzette has a Bachelor of Science degree in Telecommunication-News with a Minor in Spanish from the University of Florida. Prior to the AP, she worked at WRUF AM 850 and WUFT-TV in Gainesville, Florida.
	Viviana Hurtado is an emerging voice in our national debate on politics, culture, and gender. A veteran journalist, audiences will recognize her from ABC News, Al Jazeera English, Univision, CNN en Espanol, and Fox News Latino, and as a regular guest host on NPR’s Tell Me More with Michel Martin. She also serves as the host of Hispanic Business Today: American Success Stories, nationally syndicated on NBC. Hurtado is the blogger-in-chief of the award-winning website The Wise Latina Club, which she founded to serve as a voice for the modern Hispanic woman, providing commentary and analysis on current events, politics, and pop culture. She is an authority on Latino demographic growth and its impact on politics, business as it relates to this group’s $1 trillion dollar buying power, the social environment of increasingly diverse workplaces, and how to empower women.
	Hiram Enriquez is an experienced leader in the digital media space, combining a solid expertise in editorial and audience products with a strong passion for technology, innovation and digital lifestyles. Hiram is currently the Director of Digital Product Innovation and Business Development for Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN)- The Americas. In this role he leads the planning and execution of the digital media strategy for Viacom properties in Latin America and the US Hispanic market, including Tr3s, MTV, Nickelodeon and Comedy Central. He previously worked as Digital Product Development leader for Univision Interactive Media, and is the former Programming Director for Yahoo! Hispanic Americas, where he oversaw the editorial operations of Yahoo! sites in Spanish.
	Jim Estrada is a nationally recognized expert in marketing communications, public relations, and cultural competence training. He founded Estrada Communications Group, Inc. in San Antonio, TX (1992) and relocated to Austin, TX (1994) when it was contracted to launch the Texas Lottery simultaneously in 15 markets across the state. As a corporate executive he directed national Hispanic Consumer Marketing for Anheuser-Busch, Inc., beer brands in St. Louis, MO; he established corporate relations programs and philanthropic giving in the Southwest for Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc. from Houston, TX; and supervised regional marketing, promotions, and public relations for McDonald’s Corporation in CA, AZ, and NV from San Diego, CA. In the public sector he oversaw public relations and citizen involvement programs for the San Diego County Council of Governments.
	Michele Ruiz is a bi-lingual entrepreneur whose passions are entrepreneurship, empowerment, and technology. Her motto is: Empowering Entrepreneurs to Empower Themselves! Through her personal brand “Michele Ruiz ~ My Life as a Latina Entrepreneur” she educates, inspires and empowers entrepreneurs. Via her website at www.MicheleRuiz.com she shares her experiences with her thousands of followers by blogging, vlogging, content messaging and public speaking. Considered an “Influencer”, she also represents Fortune 1000 companies as a brand ambassador wanting to harness the power of her influence. Michele is also President and Chief Strategist at Ruiz Strategies - Transformational Messaging Strategies to Persuade, Motivate and Influence Leveraging New Media and Technology. Today it’s all about “Influencer Marketing”. Twitter Handle: @MicheleRuiz01
	Blanca Valdez is one of the greatest finder of talent in United States. Finding the voices, the faces, the actors and the perfect combination of histrionics for soap operas, films, radio and television commercials or to enliven a show has been the work of Blanca Valdez for almost 20 years. Her company, Blanca Valdez Casting, is located in the heart of Hollywood and on countless occasions her research has been the first step toward realizing the dreams of success of many actors who today are enjoying the benefits of fame and recognition. “When I see the road I’ve traveled, I feel very proud because I’ve helped a bit to open up the Hispanic market for many people who come here knocking on my door. When people come to do their auditions, for me it’s important that they feel the warmth of a place that respects and values their talent,” Valdez emphasized. EFE
	Monica Vila is “Chief Technology Mom” and co-founder of The Online Mom, the market leader in providing online and off-line tools to make consumers smarter and more comfortable with the technology that touches their family. The Online Mom is a website, an online newsletter, a forum for discussion, a network of certified experts and a 500,000-strong twitter community devoted to promoting a healthy understanding and appreciation for the positive role technology can play in a family’s life. For The Online Mom Media – Monica utilizes her 15+ years of consumer tech marketing experience (Ziff Davis Media) and along with her team, work with brands to design and execute measurable campaigns to connect with consumers and build strong, loyal and social customer communities.
	Diana Beas, an alumna of the University of Southern California, brings years of industry experience in working in the areas of film & TV studio, music publishing, music licensing, publicity and A&R, where she especially credits her time at Lionsgate. In her current role as Head of Latin & World Music for Secret Road Music Services, she’s been charged with starting Secret Road’s first-ever Latin/Multi-Cultural division. Her efforts lie in placing Latin/World music in film, TV, and advertising, as well as creating promotional opportunities for her Latin artists. Diana is frequently invited as a guest speaker for a number of music and entertainment industry programs.
	Anna Lee is a Dallas, Texas native. She attended Texas A&M University and after graduating, she took a position at Bobby Goldstein Productions, the production company behind the long-running reality television series Cheaters. Anna is currently the Executive Vice President of Marketing and Development for Bobby Goldstein Productions. She handles development for new reality shows and is an expert in branding, marketing and social media. She also heads the Talent Management division for the company. Cheaters is currently in its 13^th anniversary season with new host, Clark Gable III, grandson of the legendary Clark Gable. The show will be returning for its 14^th season in the fall of 2013.
	Annie Vazquez is a Miami Fashion Blogger who has been featured on the TODAY Show, Elle Magazine, Nylon Magazine, Paper, The New York Times, Vanidades, Cosmo Espanol, Life.com, Refinery 29 and more. She has been hired by countless national brands like Coach, TJ Maxx, L*Space, Victoria Secret, Ann Taylor Loft to do blog campaigns and ads. Vazquez, a regular at New York Fashion Week, has also contributed her fashion reports to IMG’s Mercedes Benz Fashion Week site, NBC, The Miami Herald, AOL, Stylist, Ocean Drive, The New Times , WSVN and Miami.com. She was one of 2 bloggers to be invited to an exclusive dinner with Christian Louboutin and has co hosted events with glossies like Marie Claire. Known for being a pioneer in Miami’s Fashion Blogging community, Vazquez created the first Fashion Blogger’s Night Out in Miami and she co created the first ever-networking event called Fashion Blogger’s Do It Better. She also was asked by Google to form a network for bloggers called Miami Fashion Blogger’s Official Google Plus page.
	Dr. Sarita Arteaga is a graduate from New York University’s Washington Square University College with a B.A. degree in Biology. After attending the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine, she received a D.M.D. degree and then completed a General Practice Residency at Bronx Municipal/Albert Einstein Hospital in the Bronx, New York. Dr. Arteaga attained a Mastership from the Academy of General Dentistry, and is a member of numerous dental associations, including the Hispanic Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, National Dental Association, and American Dental Education Association. Sarita is the Past-President for the Hispanic Dental Association and currently serves as the Chair of the H.D.A. Foundation. She is a faculty advisor for the Student National Dental Association/Hispanic Student Dental Association at the University of Connecticut School Dental Medicine.
	Manuel Solis is responsible for expanding the company’s multicultural initiatives through the development of new marketing strategies, programs and resources to further drive business growth and support eyecare professionals in better serving their culturally diverse patients. He is currently based at Transitions’ global headquarters in Pinellas Park, Fla. Solis joined Transitions in 2005, and most recently held the position of regional sales manager for Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. Prior to joining Transitions, Solis gained marketing experience at Coopervision, Inc. and at Essilor in the U.S. and Mexico. Solis holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the Monterey Institute for Technology and Education and a master’s degree in international management from Thunderbird, The American Graduate School of International Management.
	María Cristina Marrero has been the Editor-in-Chief of Siempre Mujer, the leading Spanish-language lifestyle magazine for women in the U.S., since 2008. María Cristina is a nationally-recognized lifestyle expert frequently quoted in Hispanic media on topics of concern to women. She also contributes on a weekly basis with CNN en Español’s Showbiz as their New York correspondent. María Cristina started her career as reporter for Caras Puerto Rico and a fashion and beauty editor for Vanidades (both Televisa titles). In 2007 she became Ser Padres’ Executive Editor, the premiere parenting magazine. She is a proud Board Member of the Casa de Esperanza a national domestic violence awareness organization that is also Siempre Mujer’s charity partner.
	Nuria Net is the Features Managing Editor for Fusion, the ABC/Univision Joint Venture. A writer, editor, online entrepreneur and music lover, for the past decade she has dedicated herself to promoting Latin culture in the US through the web, radio, print and events production.She has worked as an Assistant Editor at Latina Magazine, a Writer/Producer at MTV Radio, and as a freelancer for publications such as Billboard, The NY Daily News, and AOL. In 2006, she co-founded Remezcla.com, an online guide to local Latino culture in 5 cities in the US, and a pioneering English-language medium that covers trendy Latino art, film, music, and lifestyle. As Editor-in-Chief, Nuria managed all editorial content as well as curated and produced events. For her innovative work at Remezcla, Nuria was named one of ‘30 Under 30 People in Music and Entertainment’ by Billboard Magazine.
	Ronny Mason is a 10 year Air Force veteran with 19 years of proven Fortune 500 company performance! Ronny left his corporate position in May 2012 to join Yoly Mason as the media & marketing director of Las Blogueras Network, LLC. Ronny is an active business consultant and coach for numerous multimillion dollar companies where he has produced growth, revenue and profit results.
	Jewel Figueras is the Head Chick in Charge at JewelsFablife.com. She is one of the most influential bloggers in South Florida, working with brands like Disney, General Motors, Bloomingdale’s, Ritz Carlton Hotels, and MAC Cosmetics. A native of Washington, DC, she now lives with her family in Miramar, FL.
	Borja Perez was named Senior Vice President, Digital and Social Media for Telemundo Media in April 2012. Perez is responsible for the evolution of the digital programming team from a website portal-focus into a content creation unit for multiple digital platforms. Building off the success of the 2011 launch of Social@Telemundo, a new strategic social media unit focused on delivering fans across Facebook and Twitter interactive experiences tied to TV programming, Perez looks for new ways to blend social activity into Telemundo Media’s television programming across all genres, including novelas, news, sports and reality. Additionally, he is responsible for expanding the existing collaboration with Telemundo Studios to increase transmedia storytelling for the network’s original primetime productions. He reports directly to Peter Blacker, Executive Vice President, Digital Media & Emerging Business. In 2012, Perez was recognized by Multichannel News as one of the “Top 10 Social Media Mavens.” Also in 2012, Perez oversaw the launch of “Secreteando,” Telemundo’s first-ever “social media novela” offering fans an unprecedented opportunity to become active participants on the storyline through YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+ and Instagram.
	Robert Hernandez, aka WebJournalist, has made a name for himself as a journalist of the Web, not just on the Web. His primary focus is exploring and developing the intersection of technology and journalism – to empower people, inform reporting and storytelling, engage community, improve distribution and, whenever possible, enhance revenue. He is an Assistant Professor of Professional Practice at USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, but he’s not an academic… he’s more of a “hackademic” and specializes in “MacGyvering” Web journalism solutions. He has worked for seattletimes.com, SFGate.com, eXaminer.com, La Prensa Gráfica, among others. Hernandez is also the co-founder of #wjchat and creator of Learn Code for Journalism with Me project. He is currently serving on the Online News Association board and a lifetime member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.
	Maya Anjelica Murillo is a blogger and musician from Phoenix, AZ who has a built a career singing love songs, thanks to the Internet. She launched her site, Maya in the Moment, at age 16 as a place to share her life experiences as a geeky-but-creative Latina teen. Last year she had her first love which resulted in her first heartbreak. She vlogged about the experience and used music as a way to heal by launching the series “Love Songs for a Year” on YouTube, which landed her national televised press. Earlier this year, she launched a $5 custom love song service on Fiverr.com. After completing more than 200+ orders, her business has now expanded to include custom business jingles and live performances. Her blog also includes crafts, fashion, comedy and DIY.
	Luciana Villalba is an emerging film/music/TV journalist, currently one of the Co-Founders and writers for the reviews website TheYoungFolks.com. Born in Colombia and raised in Miami, in 2010, Luciana came up with the idea of a website written for young people, by young people with the help of her partner and Co-Founder of the site Gabrielle Bondi. Fast-forward to the present: over 15 writers and contributors write from movies, to music, TV, books and more, offering young people a chance to get their voices heard about the things they love, TheYoungFolks.com hopes to keep growing and becoming the main website for young people to find the best in entertainment. Luciana was also a vital part of the very first Colombian Film Festival in NYC March 2013, managing the festival’s press and social media, the event turned out to be a success at Tribeca Cinemas with all 15 long features, 10 short films and 3 documentaries completely sold out.
	Kathy Cano-Murillo is an author, artist and founder of the award-winning site, CraftyChica.com. A former syndicated newspaper columnist for The Arizona Republic, she has authored nine books including *Crafty Chica’s Art de la Soul, Crafty Chica’s Guide to Artful Sewing* and the novels, *Waking Up in the Land of Glitter* and Miss Scarlet’s School of Patternless Sewing. Her handmade work has been sold in Bloomingdale’s, Target and hundreds of boutiques around the country. Her Crafty Chica product line is sold at a high profile endcap in Michaels stores every fall. She can be seen as a guest on shows on HGTV, DIY Network Lifetime and others and has been profiled in The New York Times, USA Today and NPR. Kathy’s mission is to share positivity through creativity.
	Ingrid Rojas is a Colombian multimedia journalist with a master’s degree from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism. She has worked on “Bill Moyers Journal”, “Brooklyn Review”, various History Channel documentaries and CNN Heroes. She’s currently a Multimedia Producer at Fusion, the new joint venture of ABC News and Univision.
	Christine Dávila is a film festival programmer, festival strategist, script consultant and blogger. A first generation Mexican-American she was born and raised in Chicago and is living the life in LA. She joined Sundance Institute in 2007 and is currently a Programming Associate for the Sundance Film Festival, as well as a screener for the Screenwriters Lab and Documentary Feature Program. Davila has also been an Associate Programmer for The San Francisco International Film Festival, Los Angeles Film Festival, and Morelia Film Festival. She is a Programmer at San Antonio’s CinéFestival, the longest running Chicano film festival, and a Programming Correspondent for Ambulante, the traveling documentary film festival in Mexico founded by Diego Luna and Gael Garcia Bernal. Specializing in Latino cinema; she writes on her blog http://chicanafromchicago.com, where she tracks and covers emerging talent, trends and festivals within the US Latino independent filmmaking community.
	Frederick J. Goodall is a writer, a speaker, and a father. In 2008, he started the popular fatherhood blog, Mocha Dad to chronicle his life as a dad and to counter the negative stereotypes regarding fatherhood. He wanted to give readers a first-hand account of a dad who is intimately involved in his children’s lives. Now he uses the blog to not only capture his experiences, but also to help motivate other men to be more actively engaged and involved with their children, families, and communities. His articles and essays have been published in numerous magazines, newspapers, and journals such as The Houston Chronicle, Essence, Emerge, Insights, and Folio Weekly. In addition, Goodall is a regular contributor to the websites Your Teen Mag, Mamiverse, and Babble. Goodall also travels the country speaking on the topics of fatherhood, social media, content creation, and blogging. Born in Houston, TX, Goodall graduated from Howard University in Washington, D.C. He has been married to his college sweetheart for over 15 years and has three children.
	Charles Garcia founded and led the fastest growing Hispanic-owned business in the U.S. with sixty offices in seven counties and $2 billion in assets, before selling it in 2006. He has worked for four Presidents, both Republican and Democrat. He grew up in the Republic of Panama, graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy, and was a highly decorated military officer. He is a Columbia Law School graduate, a former White House Fellow, and a bestselling author of two leadership books. Hispanic Business and Latino Leaders magazine recognized Charles as one of the “100 most influential Hispanics in the United States” and Univision Network selected him for their series “Orgullo Hispano,” a feature that spotlights Hispanics who have made “an exceptional impact on the culture and life of American society.” The book Hispanics in the USA: Making History picked him as one of 14 Hispanic role models for the nation. Charles is in the Top 50 most connected individuals worldwide on LinkedIn and in the top 1% of Twitter users. He writes regularly on his “authentic leadership” blog, as well as for CNN.com, Huffington Post, and Fox News Latino.
	Beatriz Acevedo is a Founding Partner and President of MiTu Network & HIP Entertainment Group. She brings to the companies over 20 years of entertainment industry experience, having created, developed and produced over 1,000 half-hours of original, primetime programming in English, Spanish and Portuguese. Her productions which have earned her three Emmy awards, have covered a broad range of formats including; Latin lifestyle series focusing on food, fashion, finance and home design, travel docu-mentaries, music and sports specials, entertainment magazines, reality docu-dramas, scripted comedies and dramatic sci-fi thrillers. This programming has aired on an impressive list of U.S. and international networks including; Food Network, MTV, USA Networks, Discovery Channel, Nickelodeon, Travel Channel, E!, Fox Sports, Televisa, TV Azteca, among many others. Beatriz is a proud and passionate Mexican native, as well as a modern mom, who juggles her two kids in addition to her two companies.
	Jenina Nuñez works at McDonald’s USA as Manager of External Communications, leading public relations strategy and execution for the brand’s beverages and desserts category as well as the Hispanic consumer market and MONOPOLY Game at McDonald’s Prior to joining McDonald’s, Jenina worked at agencies such as Edelman, GolinHarris and Zócalo Group, which specializes in social media and word-of-mouth marketing. Jenina also has a background in multicultural public relations through her time at Edelman and Flowers Communications Group, developing programs for Hispanic and African American audiences for brands such as Sears Holdings and General Mills. A New York native, Jenina earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut and her Master of Arts from the University of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois. When not working, Jenina can be found blogging, tweeting, catching a Yankees game, reading or watching crime dramas on television.
	Leslie L. Krensky began her career in 1982 with Screen Actors Guild (SAG) as an Administrative Assistant and was promoted to Claims Representative in 1983, Executive Administrator in 1985, and Assistant Florida Executive Director in 1998. From 2002 – 2012, she served in the dual positions of SAG’s Florida Executive Director and South Region Director. She also served as SAG’s Nashville Executive Director from 2003 to 2012. Since the merger of Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) in 2012, Krensky has assumed the position of South Region Director, Contracts and Operations, based out of SAG-AFTRA’s Miami Local Office. Krensky also currently serves as a member of the SAG-AFTRA University Steering Committee and is actively involved in training Staff across the country. A Florida native, Krensky graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Miami. She is a member of American Mensa and the National Association of Female Executives.
	Pablo Schneider is President of Corporate Creations International, Inc., a leading provider of registered agent and corporate compliance services with over 7,000 clients nationwide. He also serves as Chairman of the Renaissance Dinners. Mr. Schneider is a Contributing Editor to national media outlets with a combined readership and viewership of 4 million people, including FOX News Latino, PODER Magazine, LATINO Magazine, and Latino Leaders Magazine. He created the annual Board Edition of Latino Leaders and has served as its Special Editor since 2008. He serves on the Thunderbird Global Council and has been serving on non-profit, private, and governmental boards for the past 20 years. He has taken several executive education programs at NACD; Improving Board Performance at Harvard; the HACR Board Leadership Program at Harvard; and Global E-Commerce and Global Strategy at Thunderbird.
	Beto Perez is the creative genius behind the Zumba® program, the fitness formula that has revolutionized the way millions of people think about exercise. Beto began as a fitness instructor in his home city of Cali, Colombia, and upon arriving to teach class one day realized he had left his traditional aerobics music at home. In a moment of spontaneity, he unpacked his personal salsa and merengue tapes from his backpack, popped them into the sound system and taught his first Zumba® class. In 2001, his innovative style caught the attention of two entrepreneurs in 2001: Alberto Perlman and Alberto Aghion. Instinctively seeing enormous business potential. The three of them have since turned Zumba Fitness into a global movement as the largest branded dance-fitness program in the world, with 14 million weekly class participants in 140,000 locations across 180+ countries.
	Adam Schlachter graduated with an M.F.A. in Film Directing from the American Film Institute, completed a Professional Advanced Certificate in Screenwriting from the University of California, Los Angeles, and earned a B.F.A. in Film Production from Florida State University. His AFI thesis film, “My Backyard Was A Mountain”, qualified for the Academy Awards, was the recipient of the Imagen Award, won prestigious grants from Kodak and Panavision, and screened at over one hundred and seventy-five international film festivals. A finalist in Esquire Magazine for his adaptation, “Father Figure”, Adam completed two other shorts, “The Stain On The Sidewalk” and “The Perfect Shot”, and two promos, “We Are All Latino” and “Sue Wong: Beauty, Magic, Transformation”. A member of the Writers Guild of America, Adam was selected for the CBS Directing Initiative and the NBC-Universal Showcase. His two feature films include “The 7” and “Hollywood Whores”.
	Armando Azarloza brings over 20 years of experience in public relations, marketing and advertising. As president of The Axis Agency, a part of the Interpublic Group of Companies, Armando leads our teams in providing clients with the best insights into the U.S. multicultural markets. An expert in integrated marketing, his campaigns are defined by diverse insights, innovation and creativity. Whether launching a new product, managing a company’s reputation or brand building among Hispanics and African Americans his efforts produce compelling experiences that are consistent with lifestyle, tell a story and drive unique relevant influences. Armando has been instrumental in helping shape and develop the proper cultural strategy for many respected brands. They include U.S. Army, Azteca America, Univision, Televisa, Nintendo, Absolut Vodka, Waste Management, Clorox, Kohl’s, U.S. Treasury. Catholic Healthcare West and the Los Angeles Police Department. His teams have been recipients of more than 20 national marketing awards on behalf of clients. Fluent in Spanish, Armando studied political science at UCLA and lives in Los Angeles with his wife Elizabeth and their three daughters.
	Lynn Ponder is a Social Media MultiCultural Marketing Specialist. Her passion for social media drives her to find the most creative and forward-thinking uses of today’s social platforms to promote and connect consumers with brands that add value to their life. Lynn is the founder of social media digital interactive platform Web City Girls which develops original social content, social media experiential marketing experiences for brands like The Ford Motor Company, Telcel AMERICA, Net10 Wireless, COVERGIRL and Pantene among others. Past experience includes owner of a successful international production company, Peliculas Ponder. A visionary entrepreneurial Executive Producer, who produced TV commercials for Hispanic advertising agencies in the US and Latin America. Lynn has worked with such high-profile multinational brands as Coca-Cola, Procter & Gamble, McDonald’s, Kellogg’s, Pepsi and knows what it takes to connect marketers with consumers Lynn has the passion and creativity for social advertising, marketing and social media programs that keep client’s campaigns fresh and relevant.
	Pili Montilla is a TV host, actress, producer, blogger & social media expert, Pili Montilla, has made a name for herself as the “go to” host in the bilingual entertainment world. Her curiosity to explore the deeper side of people has earned her the opportunity to interview everyone from Sandra Bullock and Jenni Rivera to Calle 13, Ricky Martin and Gwen Steffani. She’s also become known as the queen of social media locking deals with Heineken and Pepsi (@pilimontilla). Currently in development, Pili created and is producing and hosting the music show ‘Té Para Tres’ where she spends several days with up and coming musicians as they share their struggles and triumphs in search of making their dream come true: for the world to hear their story and spread their music. Through her interviewing skills and connection with the artist Pili will give her audience an inside, intimate look at the lives of these talented musicians. @teparatresTV
	Diego Prusky is the President and founder of InPulse Digital Marketing (Previously InStyle! DM), a leading multicultural agency working for the most influential companies in the entertainment and music industry including Universal Music Latin Entertainment, Warner Music, EMI Music, E! Latino Entertainment, and Sony Music Latin. After working with diverse clients, Diego discovered an unfulfilled niche catering to clients who yearned for a change from traditional communication strategies. The fact that he is a Uruguayan living in the US since 2002 and part of the Latino community places Diego in direct contact with a sequence of transformative changes in U.S. society even before these changes were reported and measured. His ability for putting together comprehensive digital solutions and multicultural market analysis has taken Diego to present in renowned conferences and workshops at Midem, Billboard Latin, BMI, and multiple events in Chile, Colombia, France, Mexico, USA, and Uruguay.
	Michelle Herrera Mulligan is the editor of Cosmopolitan for Latinas, the premiere women’s lifestyle publication targeted at English-speaking Latina women. Prior to Cosmopolitan for Latinas, Herrera Mulligan served as managing editor of LasFabulosas.com, a syndicated website which celebrates Latina success, as well as an editor for Latina magazine. In 2007, Herrera Mulligan edited Juicy Mangos, the first-ever literary collection of Latina erotica in English, which Pulitzer Prize-winning author Oscar Hijuelos called, “a collection of stories that offer the reader some real insights on what being a feeling and thinking Latina in today’s world is all about.” In September 2012, Atria Books published Herrera Mulligan’s essay, “Anarchy Chicks,” as part of the anthology Count on Me: Las Comadres’ Tales of Sisterhoods and Fierce Friendships.
	Andrew Quarrie is the founder of Jurnid, the world’s first online social news marketplace for journalists, jschoolers and news lovers. Jurnid facilitates easy content publishing without a high technological learning curve – nothing to setup or install. Journalism students can interact with mentors, develop a career path and build their professional brand – all on Jurnid. News readers also have a place to let their voices be heard by participating directly with the stories and causes affecting their world.
	Blanca Stella Mejia is the founder of Vizred.com, an agency focused on delivering online digital solutions with expertise in website development, location based marketing, social media consulting and reputation management. Blanca has been blogging for five years and is also the founder of MiCaminar.com, which means My Walk. This bilingual blog won the award of Best Inspirational Blogger by Latism. ‪She was also selected to attend a Top Latina Blogger Retreat in Washington DC in 2012. Currently she is a Community Manager for Socl, Microsoft’s creative research project by FUSE labs. Blanca is the Co-Director of the South Florida Chapter for Latism and ‪on the board of Social Media Club South Florida and was one of the speakers at the first Ignite Miami.
	Jaime Gabaldoni is Terra USA’s Auto Senior Editor. Gabaldoni manages different online platforms maintaining direct contact with users, defines the site’s strategy and oversees the editorial team. He travels worldwide representing Terra at product model launches and covering Auto Shows. Prior to joining Terra.com, Jaime was General Manager and Chief Editor for AutoMundo Productions, Inc. He joined AutoMundo Productions in 2004 and managed the production of their TV shows, website, magazine, and ad sales. He established relationships with manufacturers and advertising agencies and coordinated the company’s participation in industry events and Auto Shows, including negotiation of individual sponsorship agreements. During his time at AutoMundo, he traveled to South America spending seven months establishing a regional office. He was also fully responsible for the advertising and production of a one hour show for ESPN International under the title “Peru Presenta: The Road of the Incas.” Very early in his career, Jaime was a Motor Sports Department Manager for Peugeot in Lima, Peru, where he became a test driver for the Motorsports Division.
	Rafael Urbina-Quintero is the chairman and CEO of Batanga Media. – the largest independent digital media company serving the U.S. Hispanic and Latin American markets, reaching an audience of over one hundred seventy million online users every month. Since August 1999, Rafael has been the driving force behind the company’s strategic planning, business and product development as well as revenue generation. In his capacity as chairman and CEO, Urbina-Quintero successfully completed a series of acquisitions and successfully negotiated multiple rounds of funding for the company. The result has been tremendous and continuous company growth within the Hispanic online market. In 2009, he led the launch of Batanga Network, a groundbreaking Hispanic-focused ad network, and in 2011 expanded the company into Mexico and Latin America with the acquisition and integration of two leading Latin American media companies.Overseeing companies in Europe, Latin America and the U.S., Rafael has extensive entrepreneurial and media experience with a focus on content, licensing and distribution as well as technology applied to media on a global scale
	Eileen Campos is a New York City Public School teacher in Brooklyn by day and a freelance writer, Community Manager to Mamiverse, wife, and mother of two boys by night. A contributor for Latina Bloggers Connect and heavily involved in social media. Eileen is the founder of mommyteaches.com, where she shares her love of blogging about her pride in teaching, parenting, and the blessings and trials that life have to offer. She graduated from NYU with honors with a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education. A children’s book collector from a young age, Eileen loves cooking all types of food, reading and being arts &crafts with her boys. Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY from a Puerto Rican mother and an American father. Eileen is married to her high school sweetheart for 10 years. Follow Eileen on Twitter@EileenCCampos.
	Denisse Icaza is a freelance writer and social media consultant. Born and raised in Guayaquil, Ecuador, Denisse is also completely bilingual and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management from Florida Atlantic University. She is the founder and editor of the blog Ahorros para Mamá, one of the pioneers of its kind that offers Spanish-speaking moms new ways to save time and money while not having to sacrifice quality and their favorite brand names. Denisse has been featured on TV shows and on various online publications for her blog and social media involvement. She has also been invited to speak at blogging and social media conferences. Living in a home where Spanish is the main language spoken, she has a firsthand account of what it means to be a Spanish-speaking Latina mom living in the US. She currently lives in South Florida with her husband and three young children, who are also being raised fully bilingual and bicultural.
	Jeremy Ray Valdez has had nearly forty television and film roles in the last decade. Valdez, recipient of the 2010 Imagen Award for Best Supporting Actor in La Mission, opposite Benjamin Bratt, just completed four feature film projects of which will be premiering in 2013. In addition, he’s taking his skills behind the scenes having just produced on his first feature, “Dreamer” and has several other projects in development.  Valdez who was born in New Mexico and attended school in Arizona, came to Los Angeles and began working almost immediately. His first bookings were national commercials for brands such as Coca Cola, McDonalds, Six Flags, Verizon and Toys R Us. Jeremy studied at the Musician’s Institute and currently plays guitar for various artists in and around Los Angeles. He is also an active charity volunteer, Valdez is involved with Autism Speaks, The National Hispanic Foundation For The Arts, GLADD and was picked by Michelle Obama to take part with her in her Read Across America campaign.
	Russell A. Bennettis Vice President of Latino Health Solutions at UnitedHealthcare (UHC) in Cypress, California. He is leading efforts to enhance the company’s resources to serve and grow the Hispanic/Latino membership. UnitedHealthcare now serves over 2.2 million Hispanic members with employer-sponsored plans. Bennett lived in Mexico for 30 years, and is fully bilingual and bicultural. He served as the founding executive director of the United States-Mexico Border Health Commission, U.S. Section. Prior to that, he was the director of international and multicultural services for Sharp HealthCare in San Diego, the largest nonprofit health care provider along the U.S. Mexico border.
	Laura Fuentes is the Founder/CEO of MOMables, the first meal-planning service for healthy and fresh school lunches. Her friends call her a “lunch aficionado” because she constantly looks at delicious food and wonders how she can make it quicker, healthier and conveniently packaged for lunch. Laura works with brands to develop healthy recipes kids will actually eat. She also has her own column called The School Lunch Project over at the Huffington Post and writes for numerous parenting sites. Laura was born in Spain and raised on Tapas; she currently resides in what she calls “Southern Suburbia” along with her husband and 3 children. On her personal blog, SuperGlueMom, she tells the stories of a working mom intertwined with great family friendly recipes.
	Manuel E. Machado is the CEO/Co-Chairman of MGSCOMM, an integrated marketing communications agency. Under his leadership, MGSCOMM is one of the fastest-growing marketing communications agencies in the country, ranked among the top 25 Ad Agencies in the “2012 Advertising Age Top 50 U.S. Hispanic Agencies”, as well as named among the top 100 in the “2012 Hispanic Business 500 Largest US Hispanic-Owned Companies”. MGSCOMM, with headquarters in Miami, Florida and offices in New York City and Mexico City, services international and national clients in a variety of industries including automotive, consumer packaged goods, financial, food & beverage, healthcare and tourism.
	Nadia Jones is a veteran blogger and social media strategist at the award winning full service ad agency, On Ideas. Nadia started blogging almost seven years ago at her first blog, Mamalaw.com. MamaLaw quickly became an award winning parenting and lifestyle blog about “three mothers that happen to be lawyers too.” Affectionately known as “Justice Jonesie” in the blogosphere, Nadia currently writes for her personal blog, Justice Jonesie.com, CafeMom, Rusty & Rosy, Let’s Play and Time To Play Magazine. Nadia has been featured by Southern Living Magazine, American Bar Association’s Top 100 Law Blawgs, Miami Herald’s “The Work/Life Balancing Act” as top work/life balancing blog, and was named as one of the top People of Color Impacting the Social Web by social media guru, Wayne Sutton. Nadia was recently named a top Latina blogger by LATISM and invited to Washington D.C. for a special White House Retreat for top Latina bloggers in the U.S.
	Nydia J. Sahagún,with a career spanning more than 13 years, currently leads the multicultural marketing efforts at Fortune 50 Corporation, Target. As senior manager, multicultural brand marketing, Nydia oversees the development of Target’s strategy to grow share and affinity with multicultural guests. In her previous role as multicultural marketing director at Sears Holding Corporation, Nydia shaped the go-to-market approach for the company’s Sears and Kmart brands. Nydia’s leadership role with company, in partnership with channel partners and the corporation’s business units, helped drive US Hispanic sales growth, as well as successful new product/program launches in both the Hispanic and African-American markets, including Sears and Kmart’s first Spanish-language websites, Steve Harvey and Casa Cristina celebrity partnerships, the ground-breaking Latina Smart platform and Madres y Comadres – the first brand-produced US Hispanic web-novela.Nydia received her MBA from Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University and her bachelor’s degree from Columbia College in Marketing Communication.
	Genevieve Jenkins is a graduate of Florida International University, as well as the Miami Ad School. She holds several industry awards and has been published in various international advertising and design publications. If you don’t find Genevieve downloading a new app most likely you will catch her discussing superheros, watching movie trailers, or redecorating. Her interest in everything new, from pop culture to technology to food, music and fashion has always led her creative explorations. It’s key to her keen ability to make client messaging relevant and resonant to the latest trends. She developed an impressive track record at Fleishman-Hillard where she brought a 360-degree perspective to integrated marketing, social business, digital communications, production and project management. At Alma, Genevieve is leading an agency-wide emphasis on digital that is transforming client solutions. She also sings in the car, enjoys dancing, and eats peanut butter right out of the jar. One of a kind, which is why she’s perfect for an agency with soul. Twitter handle @genevievevarela
	Sonia Nazario has spent more than 20 years reporting and writing about social issues, most recently as a projects reporter for the Los Angeles Times. Her stories have tackled some of this country’s most intractable issues: hunger, drug addiction, immigration. She has won numerous national journalism and book awards. In 2003, her story of a Honduran boy’s struggle to find his mother in the U.S., entitled “Enrique’s Journey,” won more than a dozen awards, among them the Pulitzer Prize for feature writing, the George Polk Award for International Reporting, the Grand Prize of the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award, and the National Assn. of Hispanic Journalists Guillermo Martinez-Marquez Award for Overall Excellence. Nazario is a graduate of Williams College and has a master’s degree in Latin American studies from the University of California, Berkeley. In 2010, Nazario received an honorary doctorate from Mount St. Mary’s College.

	Ana L. Flores has over 15 years of experience as a content creator and television producer, with a specialty in the U.S. Hispanic industry. After becoming a mom, she co-founded SpanglishBaby, the go-to online community for parents raising bilingual and bicultural kids, which was chosen as a Must Read Mom’s Blog by Parenting Magazine, as well as Babble’s Top 100 Mom Blogs of 2011 and 2012 and Babble’s list of Top 50 Twitter Moms of 2011. Her most recent honors include being named one of “6 Bloggers to Watch” by USA Today’s Hispanic Living. Ana is now also a regular blogger on Babble Voices. In December of 2010, Ana appeared on the cover of Hispanic Business Magazine as “The New Face of Social Media,” just one month after launching Latina Bloggers Connect, her boutique social media agency where she creates strategic digital campaigns connecting brands and social causes with bloggers. Ana has currently coauthored the book Bilingual is Better, published by Bilingual Readers. She is also a passionate contributor and advocate of the Moms Clean Air Force and a UN Foundation Shot@Life Social Fellow.
	Enrique Márquez started his career as a journalist, working for more than 5 years as a TV reporter, covering vast social issues throughout Mexico, the stories and his passion for understanding and connecting with people, made him win 2 National Journalism Awards. T In 2007 he moved to Lapiz in Chicago to lead the Hispanic Business for P&G. After a brief period at Latinworks, in Austin Tx; in 2010, he went back to Lapiz, where he had created one of the biggest and most successful strategy teams in the US Hispanic market. His work has been recognized with more than 50 international creative and advertising effectiveness awards including 2 Cannes Lions. Enrique has been interviewed and quoted on in many prestigious magazines like Forbes, CNBC and all the mayor Marketing publications in the US.
	Adrian Carrasquillo is the social media manager and an editor/producer for NBC Latino, an English-language news site from NBC News that’s elevating the conversation around Latino news in the U.S. As the architect for its social media platforms, including strategy, daily execution and advising the editorial team, he has helped make the NBC Latino Facebook page the most engaging in the U.S. Latino news space. Before coming to NBC, he crafted the social media strategy for Fox News Latino, forging relationships and leveraging a network of Latino influencers to gain the site an audience beyond that of the parent brand.
	Fernando Espuelas is the host and managing editor of the national, bi-lingual radio talkshow Fernando Espuelas, broadcast daily on the Univision America Network, and online at univision.com. Focused on politics and current events, Espuelas has interviewed such leading political figures as President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, Senate Leader Harry Reid, Governor Jeb Bush, Speaker Newt Gingrich, Chair of the Democratic Party Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, the Chairman of the Republican Party Reince Priebus, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and many other senior national political and cultural figures.
	Sonia Diaz is an Account Manager at Balsera Communications where she works the cross disciplinary function of public relations, public affairs, advocacy, social media strategies, media buying and TV and radio spot production. As part of the firm’s communication’s team. Her clients includeUnited Health Group (United Health Foundation and United Health Care), DDM Brands, and the National Hispanic Landscape Alliance, among others. Throughout her career, Sonia has had the privilege of working with a broad array of clients from various industries including technology, consumer brands and corporate communications. Sonia Diaz has a Bachelor of Arts in Modern Languages, as well as a Minor in Mass Communications from Texas State University. She is fluent in Spanish and English. You can follow Sonia on Twitter @SoniaVDiaz or contact her through email sonia@balseracommunications.com
	Anjanette Delgado is the Lead Digital Creative of Telemundo Station Group’s Digital Unit. Anjanette handles all dedicated portals, mobile apps and social media platforms for ten of the group’s local stations, including New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, Houston, Dallas, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Tucson, Denver, and the Bay Area. In addition, she manages all editorial, creative, and technical operations, and has oversight over sales and the growth of the unit. She reports directly to Manuel Abud, President, Telemundo Station Group. Her expertise in mass communications includes programming for Television, Radio, Publishing, and Grassroots Multimedia Campaign. She is an Emmy-award winning producer and the author of award winning novels, and has taught writers and journalists on behalf of the United Nations, the Florida Literary Arts Center, part of the Miami Book Fair, and for Telemundo’s own telenovela bootcamp, Taller Telemundo. During her career, she has also written, produced, or taught for CNN, NBC, NPR, Vogue, HBO, Grupo Prisa, Santillana, Simon & Schuster, and MGM, among others
	Jesse Aguirre is the Founder and CEO of Rocket Mass Networks a premier media company of online display; video and mobile advertising focused on US Hispanics and Latin American markets. Jesse has over 15 years of extensive entrepreneurial and media experience in interactive marketing, sales, strategic planning, business and product development as well as revenue generation. Prior to Rocket Mass Networks, Jesse co-Founded Ad Operations Interactive providing online advertising services to fortune 500 companies. He was also the Ad Operations Director for Real Media in NYC and later Starmedia in Miami FL where he was in charge of the execution and optimization of all online campaigns. Later, he transition to national and regional sales roles for Batanga and News Corporation where he was responsible for developing the US Hispanic market strategy by building new business and introducing online products to national agencies and direct advertisers.
	José Piñero has been with Microsoft Corp. for 15 years and currently serves as the Senior Director Entertainment Services for Xbox. In his role, José works closely with various entertainment partners including Netflix, Hulu, ESPN and Facebook to deliver rich, interactive and social entertainment experiences to consumers via Xbox LIVE. He most recently spearheaded the development of Zona Latina, a comprehensive destination for Latinos in the U.S. to access their favorite Latino-oriented content on Xbox from some of their favorite providers, among them Univision and Telemundo. Prior to his current role José led initiatives for the Microsoft TV, video and music group. From 2005 to June 2009, Piñero led the diversity and multicultural marketing strategy for Microsoft Corporation. During José’s tenure, Microsoft significantly increased its efforts to connect with diverse groups and market products and services to diverse audiences in the United States. In the two years prior, José led Field Marketing Strategy for the Microsoft Business Solutions Group. He managed the team that developed and delivered global marketing campaigns for Microsoft in the business applications space, and directed the interaction with the Business Solutions subsidiaries around the world.
	Dania Santana, aka MamiCool, is the founder and chief writer of the blog La Familia Cool. She was born and raised in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, where she earned degrees in social communications and journalism and began her career as a reporter for DR’s most prominent newspapers. She is a communications professional with more than 15 years’ experience and the founder and CEO of Cool Communications, LLC a bilingual content creation and translation company that works with clients nationwide helping them reach Hispanics in their own language. Dania is a writer, translator and copyeditor with a versatile and well-rounded background that includes journalism, social media, blogging, editing, proofreading, marketing and advertising within and for the U.S. Hispanic market. Her expertise in the international use of the Spanish language sets her apart in a business where bilingualism is often taken for granted. You can connect with her on Twitter: @DaniaSantana1 \| @LaFamiliaCool @CoolCommsLLC \| Dania currently lives in Raleigh, North Carolina with her husband (PapiCool) and two toddlers (AbiCool and TitoCool).
	Yadira Ambert is the “Diosa Mayor” of El Club de las Diosas. Blogging for over two years to Latinas in the US, Latin America and Europe in their native tongue, she has inspired Latinas to get a better education, brought awareness of health issues, followed fashion trends and shared family moments within the Hispanic community. Her blog’s main topics include Latina culture, career development, education, technology, fashion/beauty and family. She has over 10 years experience in Public Relations and Marketing. El Club de las Diosas, has been featured in The Huffington Post Voces, Tu Voz en Tu Vida and is currently a writer contributor for Telemundo’s Hola Ciudad. She has also collaborated with brands such as Chevy of South Florida, P&G, McDonald’s, Macy’s, Ford, Microsoft, and is a brand ambassador for Britax, Neutrogena and Aveeno. One of her biggest accomplishment as a blogger was to be part of a panel of Latina Influential Bloggers during the Niche Mommy Conference sharing her experience on the topic of Leveraging Brand Relationships for Conference Sponsorship and Other Paid Opportunities as a Multi-Cultural Blogger. Yadira currently lives in Florida with her husband and child.
	Julio Ricardo Varela (@julito77) is the founder of LatinoRebels.com, a premiere independent media company that in less than two years has become a “must read” news source for any journalist committed to covering the U.S. Latino world and how the media portrayals of U.S. Latinos are changing. The Rebels’ stories have been featured in countless national and global media outlets, including The New York Times, Forbes, Le Monde, Yahoo! News, HuffPost, MSNBC.com, CNN, NBC, CBS, ABC, U.S. News, Deadspsin, Univision News, Mun2, and The Atlantic. He is a weekly contributor to NBC Latino. Julio has also represented the Rebels on Face the Nation, Univision, and NPR. A 1990 graduate of Harvard College and a native of Puerto Rico (and The Bronx), Julio started his career as a contributing reporter for The Boston Globe, before becoming Vice President of Reading/Language Arts for Houghton Mifflin Company in Boston. He still roots for the Knicks, but stopped rooting for the Yankees when Nomar Garciaparra started playing at Fenway.
	Mila Ferrer is the founder of Jaime, mi dulce guerrero, a Spanish blog that provides education, support and empowerment for persons with type 1 diabetes and their families, after her youngest son, Jaime, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. The blog has become the reference point for thousands of Hispanic families around the globe where readers have learned that education, perseverance, good nutrition and physical activity help manage this chronic condition and prevent future complications. A member of Diabetes Advocates (DA), a collective of individuals and organizations that offer expertise, resources, and support to those touched by diabetes. Leads a Spanish social media initiative for the Diabetes Advocates, to help connect social media resources for this underserved part of our community. Mila is a contributor for Federación de Diabéticos Españoles digital magazine En3D in Spain, and currently is developing a diabetes educational and support program for the hispanic community, in partnership with a hospital in Florida.
	Bohemian Babushka is a public speaker,actress and storyteller, this “human shot of espresso”, is a 1st Generation Cuban American mother of 3, grandmother of 4 ,who through Cuban culture based humor celebrates the common thread between peoples and the dreams within us all. A Vieja Viajera who enjoys life’s adventures and it’s locuras, she’s 50 and always nifty while sashaying in heels and soliloquizing in Spanglish. BB basks in being bilingual- blabbing and bailando all the way! Please join her dance via her blog Babushka’s Baile and Feibu page, also as @BBabushka on Tweety, Pinterest and Instagram
	Bill Gato is the president and founder of Gato Advertising, a Miami marketing agency specializing in small and medium-sized businesses. He is an experienced advertising, marketing, sales, publishing and media expert. Prior to launching Gato Advertising, Bill was president and co-founder of Hispanic Digital Network (HDN), the nation’s largest Internet advertising and hosting network of U.S. Hispanic newspapers, magazines, radio stations and portals. He was responsible for growing HDN’s national online advertising revenues, guiding its strategic vision and establishing its digital advertising operations. He co-developed and managed digital ad campaigns for brands such as Microsoft, Nissan, Verizon Wireless, GM, Nestle and others. PR Newswire acquired HDN and its sister companies, Hispanic PR Wire and LatinClips, in 2008. Before HDN, Bill worked for eight years as a Creative Director at Spanish Broadcasting System (SBS), one of the leading national radio networks. Bill conceived, wrote and supervised production of radio ads for local, regional and national advertisers seeking to reach the booming U.S. Hispanic radio listener in South Florida.
	Deborah Deras, Latina Brand Ambassador, TV Host, and front runner in North America’s Next Great Speaker is the CEO of Synergy Unlimited LLC a professional training company providing leadership and peak performance workshops. She is the author of Confessions of an Adrenaline Addict: How to achieve more with less effort. Her mission in life is to provide Latino Leaders with the success strategies to achieve their mission without compromising their health, relationships or integrity to better serve their communities.
	Victor Zaborsky has been with MilkPEP since October of 1996. In his role as Director of Marketing he leads consumer marketing efforts for the National Milk Mustache “got milk?” campaign. He has extensive experience in strategic planning, communication, multicultural marketing, social media, digital and content marketing. Victor directs national advertising, public relations, consumer and retail promotions as well as the development of strategic partnerships.
	Mari Santana, recently named one of the “25 Most Powerful Women in the United States by “People en Español” magazine is an award- winning professional in communications, marketing, journalism and public relations. For more than 15 years, Mari has helped to develop, plan and execute successful PR campaigns for Disney Destinations and currently serves as Public Relations Manager for this division of the Disney Company, handling general market, US Hispanic and Puerto Rico. Mari’s professional experience also includes, establishing and developing relationships with top media across the US, as well as producing news media events of global impact across multiple platforms, from printed and audiovisual media to social networks, entertainment news, broadcast news and Internet. A former news anchor (Telemundo and WPIX, New York), TV reporter and producer, her work as a journalist inspired her to pursue her passion of empowering others through workshops and speaking engagements.
	Jorge Consuegra is a global business and marketing professional with nearly 25 years of experience working with Fortune 500 companies and marquee brands. At Fearless, Jorge focuses on the multi-cultural segment, specifically by working with clients to capture growth associated with the growing U.S. Hispanic market. Before joining Fearless, Jorge was Chief Marketing Officer for Forbes Media responsible both for marketing its flagship *Forbes* magazine and the *forbes.com*website. Jorge also spent several years with Yahoo!, Inc., in global leadership roles including Vice President of International Marketing; General Manager of Yahoo! En Espanol; General Manager of the Yahoo! FIFA partnership; and Director of Marketing, Yahoo! Latin America. Born in Havana, Cuba, Jorge earned a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Tufts University, and a M.B.A from Harvard.
	Natalie Boden is President and Founder of BodenPR, a Miami-based Hispanic PR & Social Media agency. With a deep understanding of the U.S Hispanic market, BodenPR has developed and rolled out campaigns for companies such as Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Club Med, FedEx and HSBC. Featured in Vanidades, Latina, El Nuevo Herald and Doral Lifestyle Magazine, Natalie Boden has succeeded in growing BodenPR into one of fastest growing Hispanic PR & Social Media agencies. Ms. Boden is a part of Count Me In For Women’s Economic Independence and sits on the Latina Advisory Board of Girls Inc., the premier advocate for girls in the U.S. Miss. Boden holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature from Florida International University, studied Modern European Studies at the University of London and received a Degree in French Language from La Sorbonne, Paris. Born and raised in Honduras, she is fluent in English, Spanish and French and lives with her husband and two children in Miami, FL. For more please visit: www.bodenpr.tumblr.com or www.bodenpr.com Follow Natalie: @natalieboden or BodenPR @bodenpr
	Adriano Roig is currently the lead producer for Telemundo’s Ritmo Deportivo, an extreme sports and lifestyle show hosted by Leti Coo and Karim Mendiburu. The show content features the latest videogames, cars and bikini models. Adriano has worked in the television industry for over a decade serving as editor and field producer for 4 Summer Olympics and World Cup Qualifying soccer matches among other sports properties. Adriano graduated from the University of Miami with a Bachelor of Science in Film Directing. He’s also a technology aficionado and is at the vanguard of the latest trends.
	Aurelia Flores studies, speaks, trains and writes on the topic of Latinas and wealth, at her website ExpansiveWealthCreation.com (a sister site to PowerfulLatinas.com). She has been a longtime advocate of Latinas supporting each other, using her power to connect, empower and inspire Latinas through PowerfulLatinas.com, a site that uses the internet and social networking to address questions of Latinas and leadership. A former single teen mother and domestic violence survivor, Aurelia graduated from Stanford Law School and was a Fulbright scholar. She is currently Senior Counsel for a Fortune 500 company. She has won several awards for her work and is regularly featured on TV, radio and in print. Aurelia is also a contributing writer to several national publications.
	Midy Apontewas appointed as the founding Executive Director of the American Latino Heritage Fund of the National Park Foundation in the Fall of 2011. Since then, Midy has spearheaded the Fund’s strategic direction and overseen management of programs and development during the initial phase to establish the Fund’s national presence. As a bicultural and bilingual communications and business strategist, Midy is a seasoned tactician in conceptualizing multi-faceted programs entailing advocacy, organizational and coalition-building efforts for private and public sector entities. Midy also founded The Sánchez Ricardo Agency, a Hisanic Communications and Digital Media Consultancy in Washington, D.C., which combined high-level strategic communications with bottom-up social media strategies to raise awareness, spark genuine interest and generate engaged action from target audiences. A first generation Cuban American, Midy is a frequent contributor to online, radio and cable media. She is also a Fellow in the National Hispana Leadership Institute’s 2011 Executive Leadership Program and a member of several membership organizations, including the National Association of Hispanic Journalists..
	Stephen Chavez is a seasoned expert in Hispanic marketing and communications. Chavez has created award-winning public relations campaigns on behalf of major U.S. brands, non-profits and government agencies, including Kellogg’s, Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Verizon, and Beam Global to name a few. Prior to opening his independent consultancy, Stephen served as Vice President for Ketchum, one of world’s largest public relations agencies. While at Ketchum, Stephen was appointed National Director, Ketchum Latino and served as a member of Ketchum’s prestigious Global Media Network. Stephen has held senior level positions at the following PR and marketing agencies: Orcí Advertising, VPE Public Relations, and the MSLGROUP. Before entering the field of PR, Stephen worked as a general assignment reporter for The Los Angeles Times and The Morning Calldaily newspapers.
	Cristy Clavijo-Kish is an award-winning marketing, media and communications practitioner with more than 15 years experience and specialization in Hispanic and multicultural community initiatives. She is founder and co-publisher of Los Tweens & Teens, a bilingual community resource site engaging multicultural parents and kids from ages 7-12. She also is manager, partner and co-founder of Latina Mom Bloggers and Hispanicize digital. Cristy led PR Newswire’s Multicultural Markets division as senior vice president, a role she was appointed to following the 2008 PR Newswire acquisition of Hispanic PR Wire, Latin Clips and Hispanic Digital Network – all companies she co-founded and spearheaded. Prior to her entrepreneurial ventures, Cristy led the Hispanic Markets Practice at global Public Relations firm Porter Novelli working on the Proctor & Gamble business among other major clients.
	Katherine Doble is co-founder and publisher of Los Tweens and Teens, a bilingual resource engaging Latino and multicultural parents of children age 7-12. Through advice from experts, discussions from parents and product reviews, Katherine and partner Cristy Clavjo-Kish provide parents with important information for raising this age segment. The women were recently honored by Ford Latino with the title of “Mujeres Legendarias”. Katherine is also the president and creative leader of Miami-based, boutique media and communications firm Siren Marketing. Prior to branching out on her own, Katherine led the communications and fund-raising teams at two non-profits specializing in education and immigration causes. A strong believer in community involvement, she currently volunteers her time mentoring young women, planning fund-raising events and serving on the board of local organizations.
	Matt Wallaert is a behavioral scientist and serial entrepreneur who works at the intersection of technology and human behavior. After two successful exits, he joined Microsoft’s Bing to focus on adapting technologies to work naturally with existing paradigms of behavior to aid in both decision making and task completion, and to broaden how search removes obstacles and enables people to take action on their ideas, questions, and desires. A proponent of dual process theory, Wallaert is a passionate advocate for a methodological approach to behavior change using technology. In his spare time, he advises startups and creates socially-focused side projects like GetRaised.com, a free service that helps women ask for, and get, pay raises.
	Solomon Romano has spearheaded the Hispanic marketing program for Delta Dental Insurance Company since 2007. His role encompasses the strategy development and execution of marketing programs targeted to the growing U.S. Hispanic market. Delta Dental Insurance Company is part of one of the country’s largest dental benefits systems, which provides coverage to over 56 million Americans. Prior to joining Delta Dental, Solomon worked for Health Net of California, where he marketed the company’s Hispanic focused products. Solomon’s marketing career began at UnitedHealthcare over 13 years ago, and he remained with the company for more than 6 years. Solomon Romano is a graduate of the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business.
	Rolando Nichols has 15 years of experience in Broadcast Media as a journalist, news executive and sports anchor/reporter. Rolando is currently the network news anchor for MundoFox based in Los Angeles hosting the 5:30pm Network Newscast Monday-Friday. From 2009 through 2011 he was the voice in Spanish for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on ESPN Deportes Radio and has also worked for Fox Deportes as their play-by-play announcer for Major League Baseball Games during the regular and post-season. Before becoming a Major League Broadcaster he spent 12 years working for Univision Network as a newscaster in Phoenix and Los Angeles. As a journalist, in 2005 Rolando received the highest recognition in broadcast media, the prestigious Peabody Award for a special series titled “15% of the population in the United States,” an in-depth look at the past, present and future of the Hispanic community in the U.S. Rolando is originally from Sonora, Mexico and is the founder of CENTRO NET Productions, a cutting-edge media production company located in the Los Angeles area.Mr. Nichols holds a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism from The Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University.
	Laura “Laurita” Tellado was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico and has lived in Orlando, Florida since the age of three. Tellado is now a writer and health blogger. She graduated from the University of Central Florida with a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies. She’s passionate about raising awareness about Spina Bifida, and quality of life issues, particularly through her blog, Holdin’ Out for a Hero. She also blogs bilingually at Espresso con Leche, about cultural topics, food, and her duality as a Latina and an American. Laurita directs the Latinos in Social Media (LATISM) Central Florida chapter, and won the “Best Latina Health Blogger” Award at the LATISM 2011 Awards. She serves on the board of the Spina Bifida Association of Central Florida, and is a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. Follow her on Twitter: @Laurita86 and @EspressoYLeche. You can also “like” her blogs on Facebook: Holdin’ Out for a Hero page and Espresso con Leche page.
	Teresa Correa is head of the Red Shoe Movement’s Ambassador program. She is also founder of La Femme Latina, an online magazine, community and resource that provides a forum for Latinas, and those with strong cultural affinities, to connect. Follow her on Twitter: mailto:https://twitter.com/LaFemmeLatina1.
	Denisse Montalvan is Chief Inspired Visionaire, founder of The Orphaned Earring, a charity blog dedicated to bringing arts and crafts as well as year-round festivities to four orphanages in Latin America. By collecting orphaned earrings and unwanted jewelry, she re-purposes the materials and creates bracelets to sell. One-hundred percent of the proceeds benefit not only the orphanages but their surrounding communities. She has an entrepreneur spirit, uses social media to promote social good and encourages others to be positive and succeed through education. Denisse is also passionate about being a full time PR professional at iNSPIRE, working on Sprint and Boost Mobile accounts.
	Debbie Bookstaber is the President of Element Associates, where she leads online marketing, affiliate marketing, search (SEO), blogger outreach, social media and strategic initiatives for clients such as the Ad Council, ASTRA (American Specialty Toy Retailing Association), Plan Toys, Udi’s Gluten Free Foods, and Villeroy & Boch. In 2012, Debbie was recognized as one of the “Top 25 Parent Bloggers Who Are Changing the World” by Babble.com. In 2013, Debbie was recognized as a “Best of the Net” Blogger by Working Mother Magazine. Debbie has over a dozen years of marketing experience and has managed online marketing programs responsible for several hundred million dollars in annual sales. Debbie has advised PR firms and Fortune 500 companies on blogger relations and effective social media strategies, and she serves as the Director of Social Media for Child’s Play Communications in New York, NY. Follow her on Twitter: @buzzmommy.
	Mike Valdés-Fauli is currently President of The Jeffrey Group. Based in Miami, he runs the largest independent Hispanic marketing agency in the country, with such clients as American Airlines, Airbus, Amazon, Diageo, Facebook, Fox Hispanic Media, Miami Marlins, TD Bank, T-Mobile and UnitedHealth Group, among others. Previously, Mike was an Account Director at Conexión PR, helping to open the boutique agency’s Miami office and run the GE and Ford Motor Company accounts. Other prior work experiences include serving as a Publicist for the Latino division of Universal Pictures in Los Angeles, and working on political campaigns with Fleishman-Hillard in Washington D.C. He currently serves as Co-Chairman of Hispanicize, the country’s largest Hispanic marketing event. Mike is also an accomplished writer whose work has been featured in AdWeek, CNN, PR Week, The Miami Herald, Miami Today, Minorities in Business, Hispanic Target and the New Times. He has sat on the Board of the Wolfsonian-FIU, is a member of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce Downtown Livability Task Force, the Beacon Council and CEAL, a Latin American leadership council. A graduate of Tulane University, Mike was recently named one of PR Week magazine’s 40 Under 40. He lives in Miami with his wife and son.
	Maria Cardona is a Principal at the Dewey Square Group (DSG) and Latinovations, a seasoned Democratic Strategist, and CNN/CNN en Español Political Contributor. She is a public affairs and communications professional with more than 18 years’ experience in the political, government, public relations, campaign, community and coalition building arenas. Cardona heads DSG’s Public Affairs Practice, combining public policy, communications, coalition building, constituency outreach, government relations, traditional and new media at this premier national public affairs firm. She was previously a frequent political commentator on MSNBC, Fox, Univision and Telemundo, appearing as a public policy expert and providing political analysis on all manner of national issues. During the 2008 Democratic primary election, Cardona was senior adviser and spokesperson to Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign and served on the campaign’s Hispanic outreach team. During the 2008 general election, Cardona was a key surrogate for the Obama for America campaign. Previously, Cardona was a senior vice president for the New Democrat Network, and before that, the communications director for the Democratic National Committee. During the Clinton administration, Cardona served as a spokesperson at the U.S. Departments of Justice and Commerce.
	Juan Alanis is a South Texas based writer living in Houston who owns and operates the blog JuanofWords.com. A ‘writer by nature’, his professional writing experience includes work for such publications as the Houston Chronicle, the San Antonio Express News, the Texas Travel Guide, La Prensa Gráfica of El Salvador, Rumbo Newspapers and La Voz de Houston, as well as television production work with Spanish-language network, Univision. Most recently, Juan was nominated for The Innovator Revolucionario Award by The Social Revolución at SXSWi. He was awarded First place in Features and Third place in News writing by the Texas Associated Press Managing Editors for his work with Spanish-language publication La Voz de Houston. “Human stories are universal, regardless of the race, color or ethnicity of the author or the characters. A good story transcends all of that and is relatable because it is a story about the human experience. My goal has always been to achieve that in my writing,” he says.
	Juanjo Duran leads the content strategy on the partnerships team for YouTube in the US Hispanic market. Duran is responsible for developing attracting and consolidating Spanish and English content appealing to the Latino segment for Google’s video platform. Prior to his current position Duran spent eight years developing new areas of revenues in the US for the Mexican multimedia conglomerate Televisa, part of his last responsibilities there included leading the New Business development team and later overseeing the company’s Digital team in the US and Latam, before that, Duran managed the US Commercial Initiatives for Satmex the Mexican Satellite operator and parent company of US content distributor AlternaTV.
	Jorge Bravo is the founder of Hispanic Kitchen. He created Hispanic Kitchen to provide Latin food lovers with a central source of authentic Hispanic recipes that reflect the diversity of Latinos in America. Prior to becoming an entrepreneur and launching Hispanic Kitchen in 2009, he attended the Chapman Graduate School of Business at Florida International University, where he earned an MBA. Before returning to his alma mater for his master’s, he worked for more than 15 years as an editor in print and online for organizations including The Miami Herald and Terra Networks, parent of Terra.com. He has also worked as a contributing editor for Poder magazine and Hispanic magazine, and as an editorial consultant for the University of Miami, Siboney USA and others. He is a native of Miami. You can find Hispanic Kitchen on… The Web: http://www.hispanickitchen.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/HispanicKitchen.HK Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/HispanicKitchen/Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/HispanicKitchen
	Yolanda Rodriguez is the Manager of State Operations, working in the South Florida (Miramar) state office, since 2012. As Manager of State Operations, Ms. Rodriguez leads a team of nearly 200 AARP Florida volunteers and staff members across the state. The team plays a key role in AARP’s advocacy and service efforts, connecting the Association directly to the 2.7 million AARP members in Florida. Prior to joining AARP Florida’s staff, Yolanda served on the Executive Council from 2008-2012. She has been a leader in the field of aging since 1982. Yolanda comes to AARP from her role as city manager of Margate, a city of more than 53,000 residents in Broward County. Before being named city manager, she spent three years as Margate’s assistant city manager. Yolanda is a lifelong Florida resident and native Spanish speaker. She received her Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Sciences in Economics from the University of Florida. Yolanda was honored as a Hispanic Woman of Distinction of South Florida in August of 2012 and will be inducted into the 2013 class of 100 Outstanding Women of Broward County.
	Raquel “Rocky” Egusquiza is Vice President of Multicultural Markets at AARP. She is responsible for the development and execution of AARP’s multicultural strategy, raising awareness and engagement of diverse communities. She spearheads organization-wide planning and execution of AARP’s work to promote positive social change within the Hispanic community and deliver value to all AARP members. Rocky is also responsible for the development and execution of a strategy relating to growing the Association’s multicultural membership. From prioritizing audiences and identifying channels of communications, she works across the organization with various business units ensuring that our multicultural work is embedded across the organization and that AARP delivers on our value proposition for the Hispanic audience. She currently serves on the Boards of Directors of the National Latino Children’s Institute and the Smithsonian Latino Center.
	Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez is the executive vice president of Multicultural Markets & Engagement at AARP. Lorraine has a distinguished career in nonprofit, government and corporate sectors that extends more than 30 years. She was New York’s Secretary of State, the first Hispanic to serve in that role. Lorraine also served as vice president of Government and Public Affairs at Cablevision Systems Corporation. Additionally, her work in the nonprofit sector has gained her national recognition. Lorraine was president of the Hispanic Federation, a nonprofit network of 90 Latino health and human service agencies, aiding more than 2 million Latinos annually. A graduate of Hunter College, Lorraine also earned a master’s degree from New York University’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service. She is a Toll Fellow; and she earned certificates from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and from Columbia University’s School of Non-Profit Management.
	Gabriel Reyes is a leading Hollywood public relations and Hispanic marketing expert who is founder and president of Reyes Entertainment, an award-winning, full-service public relations and marketing agency specializing in digital PR, marketing and events. Reyes Entertainment offers its clients almost fifteen years of experience delivering high impact results for a wide variety of media and entertainment clients including ABC, CBS, PBS, FOX, Columbia Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures, among many others. During this time, Reyes Entertainment has built a sterling reputation by delivering excellent results and customer service for an always impressive client roster, which includes Coca-Cola’s The Adelante Movement, The New York International Latino Film Festival (NYILFF), WWE, PBS Primetime, The Hispanic Scholarship Fund, Disney-ABC Television Group, Latina Magazine, the L.A. Intl. Latino Film Festival and Fox Home Entertainment, among many others. Gabriel Reyes and the Reyes Entertainment team brings added value to its clients through their extensive network of high level contacts in the worlds of media, journalism, television, film, entertainment, business, government, education, nonprofits and Latino community organizations. Twitter handle @GabrielReyesEnt
	Mauricio Samayoa is an MBA PR type who has evolved into a full blown Social Business type out of a genuine passion for all things ‘social’ – i.e. Social Media and Social Business Design. His career blends together practical knowledge in making business decisions based on hard numbers, business strategy creation, and first-hand experience in building and scaling the participation of high-profile brands on the social web. His career in the communications consulting business started at Newlink Group in the early 2000s. Before rejoining Newlink Group as Head of Newlink Social in 2011, Mauricio spent 3 years in London earning real-world, on-the-ground experience in bridging the gap between Social Media strategy and Social Media execution for global brands such as 20th Century Fox, The Macallan Whisky, and Jameson Irish Wiskey, as part of the team at Social Media agency http://wearesocial.net. Twitter: @msamayoa Linkedin: /in/mauriciosamayoa
	Juan Carlos Alanis(@regiomexmn) has been working in hispanic media since 1998 for Latino Communications Network a multimedia company based in Minneapolis MN helping people reaching their potential in the Latino market of the Twin Cities. He also oversees production of their print and web products and coordinates clients campaigns that include radio and events. A technology enthusiast and videogame fanatic, Juan Carlos founded two blogs, TECHnotas.com (@tech_notas) and LatinoGamers.com (@latino_gamers) two years ago. In his blogs Juan Carlos shares his passions for tech, gaming, product reviews and internet news, topics mostly deserted in Spanish media. His content is now syndicated in several Hispanic news networks reaching more than 30 cities in the US with a potential of more than 3 million readers who received updates on the newest trends in fields as video games, mobile communications, internet, gadgets, video, audio and a lot more.
	Bel Hernandez is an award-winning journalist and CEO of Latin Heat Media, a multi-platform media and entertainment company; and publisher of Latin Heat Magazine, the first, and only, entertainment trade publication focused on Latinos in Hollywood founded in1992. Currently she is executive producer and host of *HOLA! LA* the first English-language TV talk show a Latina POV hosted by four professional, opinionated Latinas currently airing on KCAL9 and KCBS2 (www. http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/category/hola-la/). In November of 2012 she added author to her long list of accomplishments as one of eight authors of the anthology 8 Ways to Say I Love My Life published by Arte Publico. Through her work, Ms. Hernandez fulfills the Latin Heat Media mission of creating content by Latinos and about Latinos for universal audiences. She is married to actor Enrique Castillo and has three grown children.
	Enrique Santos “Mr. E” is host of the syndicated “Enrique Santos Show,” live from Univision Radio’s Miami affiliate, WRTO-FM MIX 98.3 (6-10AM Monday thru Friday) simulcast/distributed on WVIV-FM Maxima 103.1/93.5 Chicago, WXNY-FM X96.3 New York, KQMR-FM La Kalle 100.3 Phoenix, KAMA-FM Tu Musica 104.9 Houston, KESS-FM Maxima 99.1 Dallas, KGSX-FM La Kalle 95.1 San Antonio, KKRG-FM La Kalle 101.3 Albuquerque, KRGT-FM La Kalle 99.3 Las Vegas, KLLE-FM KLLE 107.9 Fresno, KVVF-FM Latino Mix 105.7 San Francisco and KLVE-FM K-LOV 107.5 Los Angeles. Born to Cuban parents in Chicago, Illinois, Santos gravitates fluidly between the Hispanic and mainstream American radio landscapes. His bilingual broadcasts are a crossover hit combining humor, social satire, and political commentary to bridge the cultural and generational divide of a diverse cosmopolitan audience. Santos has built an enthusiastic following with a comedic repertoire consisting of phone pranks, interviews and a trademark form of fresh and unique interaction amongst celebrities.
	Ed Arenas, has been in the film business for over 20 years. In 1988 he left the world of professional consulting at Deloitte Touche after four years as a CPA and Small Business Consultant. He immediately became immersed in every aspect of the film industry creatively as well as “hands on”. After working as a production assistant, production coordinator, earning a “best boy” crew member credit, he then became personal assistant to director Russell Mulcahy (Highlander). It was during that period where he got involved with the casting process. Ed has had the privilege of working with directors such as Oliver Stone (Any Given Sunday), Darren Arronofsky (The Fountain), Michael Bay (Bad Boys II), Jerry Bruckheimer/Gore Verbinski (Pirates of the Caribbean, Confessions of a Shopahollic), Steven Soderbergh (Che), Luc Besson/Louis Letelier (Transporter 2), David Mamet (The Spanish Prisoner), David Frankel (Devil Wears Prada), John Badham (Drop Zone), Alison Anders (Things Behind the Sun), Robert Townsend (Playin for Love) to name a few. Ed Arenas shares his time between Miami, New York and Los Angeles. Ed has enjoyed growth in helping build projects using his time earned relationships. Recently he has been working to quickly build package and help produce cost effective quality films using private equity which have quick turnaround in distribution.
	Diego Joaquín López is the Co-Writer and Co-Director of the film BLAZE YOU OUT, premiering at Hispanicize 2013. Mr. López, along with long time friend and fellow filmmaker Mateo Frazier, revealed a realistic and uncompromising look at a ruthless underworld that has not been seen before. The unique and empowering, BLAZE YOU OUT, was produced by the visionary independent producer Alicia J. Keys of AJK Films and is to be distributed domestically by LIONSGATE/GRINDSTONE Entertainment Group in July 2013. Mr. López has been acting professionally since 2005, is a member of the Screen Actors Guild and has acted in several feature films including Mc G’s “Terminator: Salvation” and “Love Ranch” directed by Taylor Hackford starring Helen Mirren and Joe Pesci. Other credited titles include, “Spinners,” “American Dream,” “Living Hell (Organism),” and “Urban Justice” along side of Steven Seagal. Mr. López is extremely thankful to all cast, crew and most importantly, familia.
	Mateo Frazier, a true child of the Southwest spent his early youth in the mountains of Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico in what people there affectionately call the “northern tip of Aztlán”. After High School, he left Colorado to pursue undergraduate studies at the University of Nevada Las Vegas where he earned an interdisciplinary B.A. in Social Science and Fine Arts. He then returned to Northern New Mexico and began working with various community development and youth arts organizations until taking a job as a Firefighter in the fall of 2005, a career which he laments having left to pursue his lifelong passion for film, art, and music. In 2012 Mateo co-wrote and co-directed the feature thriller, BLAZE YOU OUT with long time creative partner Diego Joaquin Lopez, Produced by Alicia J. Keyes. BLAZE YOU OUT will be released by Lionsgate/Grindstone in July of 2013. Mateo and Diego are currently gearing up for their second feature THE HEART DEALER (2014), and Mateo plans to Direct his first solo feature CHOLO LOVE in the spring of 2014 as well.
	Gustavo Razetti has more than 20 years of experience in integrated marketing communications in US and Latin America. He is a Change agent with experience of transforming agencies into digital at the core shops.. Razetti was a Former Chief Strategy & Engagement Officer at Grupo Gallegos and President of GlobalHue NY. Also, Razetti Worked for Euro RSCG as CEO of its Latino (NY), Argentina and Puerto Rico offices. Considered a Digital pioneer, he founded WhyNet, one the leading digital shops in Argentina. Razetti also is a public speaker on Latino marketing and social media, a columnist at ClickZ.com. the Co-author of “Latinosphere: Marketing with Latinos in the age of digital” ebook and has received many awards including Effies, Cannes.
	Angela Sustaita-Ruiz is an award-winning, public relations professional with more than 15 years of experience in Hispanic PR and marketing. In 2011 she was named PR Professional of the Year by the Hispanic Public Relations Association (HPRA), for her work in advancing the industry as co-publisher of the Hispanic PR Blog and as an co-founder/organizer and partner of Hispanicize Event, the annual event for Latino trendsetters and newsmakers in social media, marketing, entertainment and innovation. A longtime Hispanic public relations and marketing consultant, Angela has directed national marketing initiatives for: The American Heart Association’s Go Red Por Tu Corazón, Unilever, Burger King and AstraZeneca. Prior to launching her own businesses, Angela worked in Edelman Multicultural’s New York and Austin offices, where she played an integral role in directing national Hispanic campaigns for Fortune 500 companies including Unilever, Kraft Foods, Hershey’s, and Starbuck’s. Angela leverages her expertise to provide strategic counsel and develop comprehensive communications programs that tap into the power of blogger engagement and social media. A native Texan of Mexican descent, she holds a B.A. in Latina American Studies from Baylor University. Angela resides in Miami with her husband and four children.
	Ivette Rodriguez is the President and Founder of AEM, an Entertainment Marketing and PR firm. She was a Marketing and PR executive in the Record and Film Studio business for Arista Records, Columbia Tri Star and LIVE Entertainment. AEM has worked on Oscar nominated favorites Amores Perros, Y Tu Mamá También, Frida, Babel, Before Night Falls, The Motorcycle Diaries, Crash, Maria Full of Grace, and many more. On the Major Film Studio side, AEM has worked with Paramount, Disney, Lions Gate, Dreamworks, Sony, Warner Bros., and Fox.
	Felix Limardo, has been producing and directing film, television commercials, music videos and theatrical projects for over twenty years. His award winning work is known throughout the US film industry for its strong vision that has delivered the message for top Fortune 500 companies in both Hispanic and general markets. A partial list of his commercial clients and credits include: Coca Cola, Budweiser, Kodak, Pepsi Cola, AT&T, McDonalds, and Proctor and Gamble. He also has worked as a director for dozens of the world’s most prominent advertising agencies including: Young & Rubicam, BBDO, Casanova Pendrill, Grey Advertising, Siboney, Dentsu, Castor Hispanic Advertising, and Uniworld. Mr. Limardo has had the pleasure to work with major stars such as: Danny Glover, Ricardo Montalban, Salma Hayek, Edward James Olmos, Symba Smith, Bella Thorn, Christa B. Allen, Kevin Kilner and Christopher Titus.
	Mark Adair-Rios Recurred on Off The Map, CSI: Miami, Jericho, MDs, The Evidence, and others. As well as multiple Guest Star appearnces including TnT’s Graceland (pilot), Castle, Three Rivers, Cold Case, Las Vegas, NCIS, ER, JAG, and numerous others (see Resume). In the last 22 years, Mark Adair-Rios’ discreet African-American, Dominican, Creek Indian Nation and Scotch-Irish Danish (can you say multi-ethnic?) descent have garnered him a diversity roles that range from gang member to techno geek, psychotic killer to neurotic cop, and Latino convicts to LA transvestites. Is Currently a Series Regular on TVOne’s Love That Girl. In feature film, Mark can be seen in the upcoming Indy Blaze You Out, the Real St Nick, Balls To The Wall, and other big budget films such as Along Came Polly, Bruce Almighty Stigmata, Courage Under Fire, Dr. Doolittle, Fool’s Rush In, Speed 2, Crocodile Dundee In LA. …And then some.
	Sergio Machado is a Venezuelan Journalist and is currently the Manager of Digital Strategy at Deportes Telemundo. In this role, he is responsible for overseeing Deprotes Telemundo’s social media strategy. He has a very strong social media presence, having worked in Digital Media since he migrated to the United States in 2000, and has extensive experience covering live events on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Machado remains very active on social media, with close to 4,000 Twitter followers, and led a team that gathered more than 110,000 Social Media fans and around 200,000 Unique Users around the London Olympic Games over the course of only only four weeks. He has also worked as a Community Manager for brands and advertisers related to the Sports Industry.
	Christopher Harris is the founder, editor and publisher of EPLTalk.com, the number one Premier League soccer blog in the world. An Internet entrepreneur with over 16 years of digital marketing experience public relations and journalism, Harris founded EPL Talk in 2005, and quickly grew the site to accrue more than 500,000 unique visitors per month. Under Harris, EPL Talk has achieved several milestones in its history, including interviewing world soccer celebrities such as John Terry, Martin Tyler, Steve McClaren and Gerard Houllier Prior to EPL Talk, Harris was a freelance journalist who wrote for South Florida’s Sun-Sentinel, The Palm Beach Post, Palm Beach Illustrated as well as Matchday Magazine. Born in Wales, Harris has been a passionate soccer fan since attending his first professional match in 1979 for his favorite team, Swansea City Harris is married with four children, and resides in South Florida.
	Michelle Kaufman has been a sportswriter for 26 years. She covers international sports and championship sporting events for the Miami Herald. She has covered 12 Olympics, five World Cups, numerous Wimbledons, French Opens, US Opens, NCAA Final Fours, Super Bowls, World Series, and NBA Finals. Her assignments have taken her to South Africa, Australia, Japan, Korea, China, Cuba, Argentina, Norway, Greece, Italy, France, England, Germany, and Spain. Kaufman has won numerous awards for her writing and her reporting. These include: National Headliner Award (2^nd place, 2007 and 3^rd place, 1999), Associated Press Sports Editors (3rd place 2008, 4th place, 1987 and 5th place 1994, Top 10 2000 and 2001), Michigan AP awards (1st place, 1994), Florida Sports Writers Assn (2nd place 1988, 3rd place 1998) She began her journalism career at the St. Petersburg Press, covering the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during a time when few women covered the NFL. She then moved to the Detroit Free Press, working there for seven years before returning home to the Miami Herald. She is a Miami native of Cuban descent and graduated from the University of Miami in 1987 with a double major in Journalism and English. She is married to Pulitzer Prize-winning humorist Dave Barry, and they have a 13-year-old daughter, Sophie, who loves to write, draw and play soccer.
	Mario Fraticelli currently serves as managing editor for ESPNDeportes.com. In this role, Fraticelli is responsible for the editorial content, style, voice and operation of ESPN Deportes’ site. Managing a team of writers and editors, Fraticelli oversees the overall strategy for the site while leading the effort to produce, program and monitor original content across fully integrated platforms. In addition to his editorial responsibilities, Fraticelli currently oversees and maintains ESPN Deportes’ brand social media pages (Twitter, Facebook and Google+). He also manages the overall communications plan and hashtag strategy to drive tune-in through these sites and hosts direct conversations with fans during key sports events. Fraticelli’s leadership strategy has been noted and commended- his team was awarded the Best Sports Latin Social TV Award for its social media coverage of Pacquiao vs. Marquez IV on ESPNDeportes.com. Fraticelli joined ESPN as a deputy editor of the US Bureau for ESPNDeportes.com in 2008, where he defined online editorial tone and content programming strategy for ESPNDeportes.com’s US Hispanic homepage. Working with a team of senior content executives and programming teams in Miami, Bristol, NY and Argentina, Fraticelli was able to maintain and grow strategic relationships in the fields of Editorial, Marketing, Ad Sales and Promotions while leading the editorial integration between ESPNdeportes.com and ESPN.com.
	Graham Winick has served as the Film and Event Production Manager for the City of Miami Beach, FL, where he recruits and oversees all feature film, television, photography and special event productions held within the city. Notable projects have included Magic City, Burn Notice, Pain and Gain, Art Basel Miami Beach, South Beach Wine & Food, and Super Bowls XLI and XLIV. Winick is the Past President of Film Florida, the state’s non-profit marketing and legislative support association, having served as President for three years and as Vice President for two. During his term as President, Winick helped lead the collective initiative to engineer the state’s first entertainment industry tax credit, a $242 Million program which was made law in June, 2010 and is poised to attract over $1 Billion in new entertainment spending to Florida over the next five years. Previously, Winick was the Director of Development for Outlaw Productions in Los Angeles, where he helped usher several features into production, including Breach, The Santa Clause 2, and Training Day. Winick is a graduate of New York University’s Tisch Film and Television program.
	Emma Sokoloff-Rubin is a reporter for GothamSchools, a non-profit news site that covers public schools in NYC. Her work has also appeared in The Atlantic Online, The Nation, Ms. Magazine, Reuters, Americas Quarterly, and the Huffington Post. She was awarded Yale’s John Hersey prize in journalism for a body of work reflecting “engagement with moral and social issues, responsible reportage, and craftsmanship.” She is the co-author of Sustaining Activism: a Brazilian Women’s Movement and a Father-Daughter Collaboration. www.emma.sokoloff-rubin.com.
	Jorge Ortega has over 25 years experience working with major multinational companies, NGOs and government institutions, developing and managing strategic communications programs across the Americas. Most recently, and for nearly six years, he served as president of The Jeffrey Group, an integrated communications agency focused on the U.S. Hispanic market and Latin America. He has worked with major clients across industry sectors including: Abbott, Coca-Cola, Dell, Diageo, Kodak, FedEx, Ford Motor Company, Gatorade, Johnson & Johnson, Motorola, Pfizer, Procter & Gamble, S.C. Johnson, and Unilever; as well as with non-profit organizations such as the University of Miami, James L. and John S. Knight Foundation, U.S. Air Force Academy Association of Graduates, and the Governments of Mexico and Panama. Jorge serves on the advisory board of the Florida State University Center for Hispanic Marketing Communications and on the board of directors of the IKF/Wonderfund a non-profit he co-founded which provides life saving medical care for children. He is also on the board of National Holdings, a publicly-traded brokerage firm.
	Sandra Smester is vice president of Programming and Programming Operations for Univision Networks at Univision Communications Inc., the leading media company serving Hispanic America. Ms. Smester is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day scheduling and strategic positioning of all on-air content for Univision. Her duties also include programming administration and various other key programming specials such the network’s New Year’s Eve Special, El Grito de Mexico and much more. Ms. Smester first joined Univision Network in 1996 and quickly assumed several positions of greater responsibilities within the programming and promotions department. She received her bachelor’s degree in communications from Florida International University.
	Lamar Tyler, CEO of full-service new media firm Tyler New Media, wears many hats, not the least of which is being a husband and father of four. Using his motto “The Gatekeepers Are Gone,” Lamar, along with his wife Ronnie, has successfully leveraged social media to move the couple’s website Black and Married with Kids to become the largest independent, African American marriage and parenting site on the web. Relying on Lamar’s social media expertise, the site has grown in the last five years from a small personal blog to an international brand with over 160,000 Facebook fans. As a filmmaker Lamar directed and produced four documentaries which deal with the challenges and triumphs of marriage in the black community and have been screened to sell-out crowds nationwide. Among the recognition received for his work, Black and Married with Kids was named one of 2010’s Must Read Blogs by Parenting Magazine, voted one of Babble’s Top Mom Blogs for two years in a row, and the couple was named one of Ebony Magazine’s Power 100 in 2011 and 2012.
	Lissette Hoyo is a passionate thought leader with over 25 years experience helping clients succeed in both the U.S. multicultural and Hispanic markets. Prior to being named President of Accentmarketing in 2010, Hoyo led the agency’s largest client teams as Director of the Client Services and Strategic Communications groups. Her diverse category experience includes consumer packaged goods (P&G, Unilever), automotive (Chevy), healthcare (Kaiser Permanente, American Heart Association), military (US Navy), spirits (Bacardi USA) and telecomm (Nextel, Sprint, Alltel Wireless). Lissete Currently sits on the 4A’s (American Association of Advertising Agencies) Southern Region Board of Directors and is Vice Chair of the 4A’s Florida Council Board of Governors. Hoyo was recognized earlier this year by The Commonwealth Institute as leading one of Florida’s “Top Women-Led Businesses 2012″.
	Pilar Portela is the Media Relations Supervisor and LatinoWire Media Representative at Business Wire, a Berkshire Hathaway Company. She is responsible for developing, maintaining, and expanding relationships with the Southeastern and Multicultural media, especially US Hispanic media. Pilar is a graduate from New York University’s School of Journalism and from Florida Atlantic University where she earned an MBA. She is also a founding board member and At-Large Officer of the National Association of Hispanic Association’s South Florida Chapter. You can find out more information on Pilar on her LinkedIn Profile: Pilar Portela.
	Valentina Parada has been with Ondamax Films since 2009. She initially managed the festivals relationships for the company and is now in charge of Sales & Acquisitions. Within her time with Ondamax Films she represented the company in various festivals and markets around the world and reached international distribution agreements with studios, independent distributors and television networks including Universal, Warner, MGM, HBO, Netflix, Hulu, Turner, etc. Ondamax Films is an International production and distribution services company. With a track record of over 300 projects including feature films, commercials, TV shows and digital content, Ondamax Films has an established reputation within the advertising, tv and cinema industries. Through collaborations with renowned filmmakers as well as a new generation of talents, we offer a balance between creative thinking; production & financing expertise and distribution solutions. From independent films to high profile commercials with celebrities like Penelope Cruz or George Clooney, we adapt ourselves to any new story. Our advertising portfolio includes films for brands such as L’Oreal, Coca-Cola, Garnier, Gucci, Mercedes, Jaguar, Omega, Ford or Canon and our content has been distinguished with over 500 selections and 125 awards in festivals like Sundance, Cannes, Toronto, Berlin and Venice.
	Solange Rivero began her career as a producer and host of television in 1983 on “Nosotros Venezuela”, broadcast by Venezuelan Television in Caracas, Venezuela. Over there she had a great opportunity to work with Isa Dobles (World-wide reputable journalist, Political analyst and television producer), whom has earned respect in the television scope. In 1990 began working as an independent producer. During this time she produced video clips with numerous artists and is introduced into the entertainment industry and began her career as a manager. Solange has successfully introduced her artists in the Latin American market, Venezuela, Argentina, Colombia, Mexico and many others; all have developed important projects in the Latin American telenovela industry with professionals represented by Aisha Enterprises, Inc. Some of these soap operas are: “La hija del jardinero “and” Belinda “,” Vuélveme a Querer “written by Mariela Romero, transmitted in Mexico – TV Azteca, with a total workforce represented by Solange (Aisha Enterprises, Inc.).
	Adriana Barraza was born March 5, 1956 in Toluca, Mexico. In 2000, she appeared in Alejandro González Iñárritu‘s critically acclaimed Amores Perros. Despite this success, she was virtually unrecognizable to mainstream audiences when cast as Amelia in Iñárritu’s award-winning film Babel. Barraza’s performance earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Actress Adriana Barraza is popular star of Spanish television. Barraza is also a reputed acting coach and director in her native Mexico. In 2000, she appeared in Alejandro González Iárritu’s critically acclaimed Amores Perros. Despite this success, she was virtually unrecognizable to mainstream audiences when cast as Amelia in Iárritu’s award-winning film Babel. Barraza’s tough, complex performance as an illegal immigrant nanny forced to take care of two American children in the desert earned her several accolades, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Actress Adriana Barraza played Amelia in the award-winning film Babel. Her performance earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
	George Torres is a cultural curator & community builder that manages and produces branded projects that appeal to the Latino / Hispanic segment. These projects include web properties, live events, social media campaigns, internet radio production, content development and new media consulting services. George’s creative vision is the blueprint for Sofrito Media Group and it’s growing portfolio of new media products and services. He has over 15 years of experience developing branded projects that appeal to the English dominant Latino / Hispanic segment. These include the online blog Sofrito For Your Soul, Radio Capicu as well as Capicu Poetry & Cultural Showcase, a partnership that develops and produces live cultural events.Read his story… http://bit.ly/OytqCH
	Soledad O’Brien is an American broadcast journalist that has received various awards for her role as an anchor and investigative reporter on CNN. Among her many accomplishments, Soledad developed a variety of documentaries for CNN that look into the various ethnic groups that shape American culture, including Latino in America, a thoughtful snapshot of the many ways that Latinos are contributing to American society and the struggles they face.
	Carlos Ponce is a Puerto Rican actor, singer, composer and television personality. Ponce began his acting career by participating in Spanish language soap operas for Televisa and Telemundo.
	Nicolás López is a Chilean film director, screenwriter, producer and actor. He is well-known for directing Aftershock, Promedio Rojo and Santos.
	Luis Sosa is the CEO and founder of DDM Brands based in Miami, FL. He is a die-hard entrepreneur and expert in the mobile communications industry with a long track record of successful enterprises. At DDM, Sosa carries out his vision of bringing high quality, cost efficient mobile products to all levels of consumers in Latin America and enabling more people in the region to have access to cutting edge mobile technology. While DDM is a relatively new manufacturer of mobile products for Latin America, Sosa’s revolutionary vision has already changed the way the industry operates in the region. Sosa launched DDM Brands in 2011 to fulfill his vision of creating products that focus on delivering mobile devices to the masses in Latin America, while providing them with access to the latest technology and same high quality products as other cell phone manufacturers — but at a fraction of the cost. His experience in the region has given him a keen knowledge of each market, which he has leveraged to create unique products that fit the needs of individual consumers in each country. Sosa spends his time between Miami, FL., China and Latin America.
	Lancio (Lance) Antonio Rios grew up on the west side of Cleveland, Ohio. Lance’s long-time interest in Latino cultures and communities spiked when he accepted an internship in the South Bronx in New York City. After witnessing the diversity of the Latino culture in the area, he realized that he was in the midst of a growing and diverse community of people who shared my commonalities and were seeking an outlet that connected them. Through finessing his skillset in Hispanic sales and marketing at MTV tr3s, VME, and VEVO.com he decided to take his concept and company, Being Latino, to another level. Since launching Being Latino in May of 2009, Lance has experienced tremendous exponential growth with support from Latinos who care about discussing history, culture, entertainment and social issues. Since its conception, Being Latino has organically harnessed over 74,000 fans with an additional 170+ Latino-based fan pages on Facebook, a following on Twitter, and YouTube with a total reach of over 200,000 people, nationally with a $0.00 budget. Additionally, since launching, Lance has become a partner and shareholder of Hispanicize, LLC and Latina Mom Bloggers, LLC, two leading companies if the Latino social media space.With the success of Being Latino in the digital space, Lance will be launching a new company with several partners, dedicated entirely to social media video production and distribution called DigiBunch.
	TarynP is a livewire mom entrepreneur who uses her mastery of human engagement to help people succeed in achieving their goals. She’s been an avid social media pioneer since 1992 when she developed her first online community and offline mailing list. She has run successful brick + mortar businesses, won citywide awards for customer service excellence, helped conceptualize an international franchise concept and has spoken at business and tech industry events such as Blogworld, BlogHer, Blogalicious and Tory Johnson’s Spark and Hustle. As a Realtor, she uses her jedi search skills and social media savvy to stand out in a crowded industry and has impacted thousands of business owners through her conference speaking, training events and her own networking events. You can connect with her at @TarynP /
	Tom Musca first captured attention as the producer and writer of Stand and Deliver. The popular Warner Bros. film starred Edward James Olmos, who earned a Best Actor Oscar nomination. Stand and Deliver nabbed six Independent Spirit Awards, including Best Picture and Best Screenplay. The film was preserved as a cultural, artistic and historical treasure in the U.S. Library of Congress. Recently, he scripted with Jay Abramowitz One Mile North, a post 9/11drama about a NYC restaurant that fed Ground Zero recovery workers. His comedy, Beverly Hills Barrio, is currently under option with Musca attached to direct and he was hired to write the horror film, The Bell, for Casa Grande Interactive Communications.The Samuel Goldwyn Co. produced Mr. Musca’s screenplay of Tortilla Soup, the third highest selling Latino-themed DVD in history. Musca’s Disney Channel screenplay Gotta Kick It Up! starred two time Emmy winner America Ferrera. Musca produced and wrote Hollywood Pictures’ Money For Nothing which featured John Cusack, James Gandolfini, Benicio del Toro, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Debi Mazar and Michael Madsen. Musca made his feature film directorial debut with Race on HBO, his satire of a Los Angeles City Council election.
	Jose Villa is the founder and President of Sensis, a cross-cultural advertising agency with digital at its core. Jose founded Sensis as a Web development firm in 1998 and one of the first agencies focusing on the Hispanic digital market. He has since grown Sensis into a unique full-service ad agency – that takes a digitally-infused cross-cultural approach to the general market. Sensis clients include the U.S. Army, AARP, Cinelatino, and United Healthcare. Jose is an expert on cross-cultural marketing and advertising and considered a thought leader in Hispanic advertising. His thought provoking analyses of the Hispanic market are published regularly on MediaPost, AdAge, and his blog ThinkMulticultural.com. Jose is also a regular speaker at advertising conferences like SXSW, Hispanic Retail 360, and ad:tech, sharing his “in the trenches” experience reaching and engaging the ever-changing U.S. Hispanic market. Jose has an Economics degree from Harvard University and an MBA in Marketing from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
	Stephanie Camargo is an Account Director for The Axis Agency office in Miami and serves as a client lead on several major accounts including General Motors. She collaborates with account teams across the agency to develop outside-the-box initiatives that generate social chatter, while connecting to current culture. In addition, Stephanie bolsters the team with stellar media relations and is responsible for creating and supporting effective communications programs for the agency’s clients. In her role, she is responsible for increasing awareness of her client’s brands amongst key influencers via grassroots initiatives, social media strategies and both traditional and non-traditional media outreach. Stephanie, who is also an award-winning blogger, began her public relations career in Miami with Burson-Marsteller, a global PR firm, where she was responsible for implementing communications strategies and media outreach efforts for clients in the technology, consumer goods, entertainment, healthcare and government sectors. She also developed and executed pan-regional strategic communications plans for multinational firms doing business in Latin America.
	Sergio Domeyko (@sergiodomeyko & @SVLatino) is an Entrepreneur at heart with a supportive personality for new businesses and crazy ideas. This kind of spirit has taken him to work from the banking industry in Corporate America to a family owned business back in Chile ( 8 years) in the agricultural and timber industry then back to the USA. Along these travels he has picked up a wide range of experiences ranging from a foreign owned small business in the timber industry to Real Time location based mobile strategy, social media strategy & management to business financing and Healthcare Consulting. He has a strong desire to achieve and drive success in new businesses! He is a graduate of the University of San Francisco, and currently is Director of Social Media Marketing for Silicon Valley Latino & Managing Member of DGN Consulting Group, LLC, Board Member & VP of Social Media for CHispPA, & past board member of Greater San Jose Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
	Sebastian Aroca is an entrepreneur and a customer centric Hispanic Market Consultant. He co-founded Hispanic Market Advisors, company that provides Website translation and Spanish SEO/SEM services, and has over 10 years of professional experience managing regional customer programs and client acquisition strategies in the areas of sales and digital marketing, primarily for the U.S. Hispanic and Latin American & Caribbean markets. Aroca is a contributor writer at BusinessWeek’s Business Exchange in the topic Hispanic Marketing and at MediaPost Publications (Engage:Hispanics), among others. To contact Sebastian Aroca, please visit his Google Profile or go to LinkedIn and send him a message
	Piedad Palacios is a bi-coastal entertainment executive, producer and consultant. She recently completed “Single in South Beach”, an independent feature film shot in Miami, and has several film and tv projects in development. She served as Vice Chair and Chair of the Miami Dade Film & Ent. Advisory Board for six years. She has produced/directed videos for Art Wynwood Fair. She also worked as VP/Executive Producer for an Artmiamitv an Internet media platform where she produced numerous videos. She has worked on projects with Patrick Crowley (Bourne Ultimatum), Bill Badalato (About Schmidt), Tom Musca (Stand and Deliver). Palacios relocated to Miami from LA as Special Projects Representative to set up office for the MPAA, Latin American office. She was Director of Development at Paloma Production, a Jerry Perenchio company, where she reviewed over eight hundred scripts. She was Co-Executive Producer of “Bela Donna”, directed by academy nom, Fabio Barreto, starring Natasha Henstridge. She was in charge of the Latino American Program at the Sundance Institute,where she organized a Creative Writers Workshop for the Nobel Prize author Gabriel Garcia Márquez. She has been consultant to several film festival and juror for the Sunlight Production Fund Award given by IFP in Miami; Bogota International Film Festival, Santa Barbara Int. Film Festival. She was also juror for the AFI Finishing Funds Award; Board Member of the national Hispanic Media Coalition. She holds a BA in Dramatic Arts with honors from UC Santa Barbara and attended UCLA film school. Her photographs have been published in the New York Times and she was a recipient a W.E. DuBois poetry award.
	Martin Llorens is one of the Hispanic community’s most renowned fashion and beauty experts with more than 15 years of experience in empowering Latinos with the tools they need to dress for success, improve their self-esteem and project their best image for any occasion—be it social or professional.Martinis the official fashion and image advisor on Univision’s top rated national morning program, “Despierta America, “ where he presents weekly fashion and beauty segments. In September 2010 Martin joined Utilisima, a unit of Fox International Channels and the only 24-hour, 100% original, Spanish-language lifestyle network, as the host of ” Hola Martin : Estilo de Vida.” He made his debut as an author with Discover Your Style: Your Guide to Dressing Better(Random House Mondadori, 2009).
	Flor de Maria Rivera is a TV personality, journalist, stylist, entrepreneur, brand ambassador and fashion blogger. In 2009, Rivera launched a very successful fashion blog, www.flordemariafashion.com, the first bilingual personal style blog in the United States. Since the launch of her blog, she has appeared in multiple media outlets including, NBC, Univision, Telefutura and El Observador to name a few. Rivera has dedicated 12 years of her career to the world of television, radio, print, and public relations. She has worked as a sports anchor, reporter, producer, commentator and writer for different media outlets, including Telemundo and Univision. Presently, you can see her hosting fashion segments for Univision and Telefutura, writing a fashion column for Mamas Latinas, working with different brands and helping television personalities, professional athletes and various other professionals look their best through both general wardrobe planning and selecting specific attire for special events.
	Mercedes Sanchez is a multimedia journalist, style expert, TV personality, professional blogger and freelance writer based in New York City. She launched BeChicMag.com in 2006. Mercedes contributes as an on-air style expert with tips on the latest fashion and beauty trends, commentary on breaking celebrity news, and the red carpet’s best and worst dressed. Mercedes regularly shares her expertise on CBS, Univision and Telemundo and is often quoted in multiple news outlets such as The Huffington Post, Cosmo for Latinas, People en Espanol, NBC Latino, El Diario/La Prensa among others
	Eliana Murillo is the Head of Multicultural Marketing at Google, Inc. She focuses on cross-product strategy to engage multicultural users and business owners. She founded the US Hispanic Business Development team at Google and has spearheaded programs that aim to support Latino entrepreneurship and education. Her previous roles included diversity business development, global sales HR, and regional Latin American HR. Prior to joining Google, Eliana worked at Target Corporation in the food merchandising division, where she focused on internal buying strategies and supply chain optimization. Eliana currently serves as the Chief Marketing Officer of Tequila Alquimia, her family’s USDA certified 100% organic tequila company. Eliana is a graduate of Harvard University, where she studied Sociology of Economics. She also studied International Business at the University of Nicosia in Cyprus. She is originally from Oxnard, California.
	Etienne Hernández-Medina is president and CEO of H+M Communications (H+M), one of the leading boutique marketing consultancies in the country with 30+ full-time team members in five cities in the U.S. and affiliates in 20 countries throughout Latin America. He is a seasoned consumer and entertainment marketing professional with more than two decades of experience in high-level strategic marketing and positioning, media planning and buying, creative advertising and content development, media relations and publicity, community relations, social media and digital communications, research and competitive intelligence, crisis management, experiential and WOM marketing, and corporate communications. In addition to serving as Chief Creative Officer for the agency’s in-house content development and syndication practice Studio 20/42, as managing partner of H+M, he leads the firms day-to-day operations and oversees national integrated marketing campaigns on behalf of Universal Pictures, Universal Studios Home Entertainment, Alcon Entertainment, RADiUS/The Weinstein Company, F. Gaviña & Sons, Don Francisco’s Coffee, Café La Llave, John Watlings Rum and Distillery, Hallmark Movie Channel, Shine America, Comedy Central, Paramount Home Entertainment, and Comcast Corporation. Recent successes include theatrical marketing campaigns on behalf of Fox Searchlight’s Under the Same Moon/Bajo La Misma Luna and Universal Pictures’ Les Miserables, The Lorax, Despicable Me, Bridesmaids, and Fast & Furious; marketing publicity and digital marketing campaigns for 20^th Television’s American Idol and Simon Fuller/XIX Entertainment’s Q’Viva: The Chosen; and the launch of Xfinity Latino on behalf of Comcast Corporation. Based in Los Angeles, originally from Cuba, he is fluent in Spanish and English (with a working knowledge of Portuguese) and is an alumnus of the University of Miami. Etienne has a five-year-old daughter, Ruby Jane, whom he considers his greatest accomplishment yet.
	@JoseResendez, Account Executive at Omnicom’s @Fleishman Hillard International Communications public relations firm. Jose focuses on the US Hispanic market via the firm’s @FHHispania division. His main client is Procter & Gamble (P&G), working on industry leading brands including COVERGIRL, Pantene, Clairol, Tide, Gain, Head & Shoulders, and Downy. Jose leads their digital, social media, community management, and blogger relations programs/campaigns.
	Fabian Castro is Vice President of Multicultural Marketing at Universal Pictures. In this role, Fabian works to enrich outreach efforts to the U.S. Hispanic audience for titles across the Universal slate. He works directly with the publicity, field, promotions, media, digital, creative, research and partnerships divisions to customize existing and develop new strategies, marketing and outreach efforts for Hispanic moviegoing audiences. He has successfully developed unique culturally relevant tactics for movies as diverse as FAST FIVE (FAST & FURIOUS 5), TOWER HEIST, DR. SEUSS’ THE LORAX, TED, SAVAGES and MAMA. Prior to joining Universal, Fabian served as Director of Brand Development for Hearst’s Food Network Magazine. Previously, Fabian spent eight years working for various Time Warner publications, including People en Español as their Director, Strategic Marketing & Promotions, and Entertainment Weekly, as Director, Entertainment Partnerships. He also served as the chair of Hola@Time Inc., the Hispanic Affinity Group for Time Inc. Fabian holds a B.S. in Economics from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
	COURTNEY VELASQUEZ \| VP – COMMUNITY RELATIONS. Courtney is located in Bentonville, Ark., and has 10 years of retail management. She loves blogging and runs several different blogs like DetroitMommies.com, MiamiMommies.com, and DiscoveringArkansas.com
	Sonia Velásquez is a host and producer characterized by a constructive approach through the mass media, a sustainable social view and ‘green’ focus. Known as “Philanthropic Journalist”, name that honors its humanistic personality, Sonia Velasquez is one of the most recognized and respected TV presenters in the Hispanic market, not only in the US but also in Latin America and the Caribbean. She is the official international Host of Extreme Makeover Home Edition Latin America, and the guardian of the family wishes in the “dream factory” which is this TV show. Sonia has presented hundreds of entrepreneurs and leaders to the Latin world, deepening in solidarity stories. One of the most prominent cases was Patricia Perez, the first seropositive woman nominated to the Nobel Peace Prize. Since then was established a relationship that continues up to this day and has led them to appoint Sonia as the communicator of More Peace Less AIDS Foundation and ICW Global, certified by the UN and UN Women. Faithful to her ideals, Sonia Velasquez says it is no coincidence be working on Extreme Makeover Home Edition Latin America: “The work of my life is driven to relieve others in need with practical actions like building a house or a new space but most important by caring for their issues”. The credibility of her presence, a 15 years career, a genuine contact with the public, her smile and determination are personality strengths. In the exercise of her work as a producer she is a link between people on the ground, social causes, brands and institutions.
	Alicia J. Keyes began AJK FILMS to develop story-driven feature films that on face value target specific audience groups, but that also have crossover potential due to their universal storylines and strong marketing hooks. Keyes works with established and up-and-coming filmmakers with unique voices and passionate ideas. Keyes just completed Blaze You Out, a film co-directed by Mateo Frazier and Diego Joaquin Lopez and starring veteran actors: Elizabeth Pena, Raoul Trujillo and Mark Adair Rios alongside Q’orianka Kilcher, Jeremy Ray Valdez, and newcomers Veronica Diaz Carranza, Melissa Cordero and Jeremiah Bitsui. For her next project, she’s partnering with Fernando Meirelles (City of God, Constant Gardener) and Marina Fuentes on a romantic comedy, The 3%, that will be helmed by Brazilian director, Nando Olival (Maids). Keyes’ slate of films is influenced by her previous experience as an acquisition’s executive at The Walt Disney Company, where she was the Executive Director of Worldwide Acquisitions and Co-productions (1999-2003). During that time, Keyes was responsible for the acquisition of theatrical motion pictures for distribution on behalf the studio. This included select and all international rights for films under the Buena Vista International banner and domestic and remake rights under the Buena Vista Motion Pictures Banner (Touchstone/Hollywood/Disney).
	Susie Albin-Najera is the creator and editor of The Mexico Report, a magazine style blog promoting a positive news and philanthropic efforts in Mexico. She is also Marketing Manager for Mexico for one of the largest travel companies in the U.S. In 2012 she authored her first book, The Real Heroes of Mexico and is currently working on her second one
	Andoni Biurrarena is the current head of Sports at Yahoo en Español at the Editorial Director for ESPN Deportes La Revista. In these roles he is responsible for the editorial content style, voice, and operation of Yahoo en Español’s sports page as well as ESPN Deportes La Revista. Biurrarena joined ESPN Deportes La Revista in 2006 as the Editorial Director, where he has been responsible for the oversight, marketing and editorial strategies of ESPN La Revista, as well as GW Publishing. Other responsibilities include the management of social media and public relations and promotional strategies for the magazine. Biurrarena has over 17 years of experience in Hispanic broadcast and magazine journalism. He began his career in the United States as a correspondent for Hispania Magazíne then Editorial Televisa and CBS Telenoticias before shifting to production as Assisting Managing Editor for Univision Sports. Biurrarena received his Bachelors in Journalism and Communication from the University of Navarra in Spain, and is fluent in English, Spanish, and French. He lives in Miami.
	As a Group Business Director at Alma DDB, Ana is responsible for overseeing a team of advertising professionals dedicated to developing and bringing Hispanic communication campaigns for major consumer brands to market. With 25 years of experience, Ana started her career in Advertising, working on General Market accounts at Tinsley Advertising before moving to pursue her true passion: marketing to Hispanics, as Managing Director at Publicis/Bromley, Miami. A proven leader, senior strategist and passionate brand advocate, Ana has a Masters in Business Administration from Florida International University and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Saint Thomas University with a B.A. in Communications.
	Sebastian Martinez-Christensen is also known as El Gurú de las Diagonales – NFL Guru- and is followed by the thousands, not only in the U.S. but also Latin America. He has been a writer foe ESPNDeportes.com since 2003, and his column is amongst the most popular on the website. He also serves as a TV reporter for ESPN Deportes, where he covers American team sports for Latin America. Soccer remains on his radar, however, thanks to his Argentinian heritage. He started working with ESPN Deportes Radio in 2008, and his impact has been felt since. Currently, he co-anchors Zona ESPN, a multi-sports show that injects variety into a predominant soccer schedule and also hosts El Último Pase, the only NFL show on ESPN Deportes Radio. He also hosts a weekly NFL analysis segment from ESPN Deportes’ Miami offices. He has covered the last five Super Bowls, three NBA finals, Copa Libertadores, Tennis Masters and Golf Majors for our multimedia platforms, as well as the local South Floria teams all year round. Sebastian Martinez-Christensen defines versatility and is one of our most complete and well-rounded journalists.
	Gerard Muskus is Head of U.S. Hispanic Marketing for Rosetta Stone, the world’s leading provider of technology-based language-learning solutions. With more than 15 years of Hispanic and general market experience, Gerard has made his mark in advertising, corporate marketing and branding in the consumer products, communications and education industries. Before joining Rosetta Stone in 2011, he worked at AOL, iBiquity Digital and various agencies managing accounts for BellSouth, BMW and IBM. In his current capacity, Gerard spearheads all Hispanic business initiatives at Rosetta Stone. He expanded the company’s U.S. Hispanic program from a standalone Spanish-language TV ad to a comprehensive multimedia marketing initiative incorporating broadcast, print, online and social media. The marketing strategies Gerard developed are credited with increasing Rosetta Stone’s product sales 6X while improving media efficiencies by 165%. Born and raised in Venezuela, Gerard received his first college degree in advertising at the Institute of New Professions in Caracas—all the while working in marketing for various local and national firms. He moved to the U.S. in 1992 to pursue his dream of learning English and attending an American university. He graduated from La Salle University in Philadelphia, where he earned both a B.A. and an M.B.A in marketing.
	Juan Manuel Rótulo recently joined the People en Español family as executive editor of Peopleenespanol.com. He was born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and came to the United States with his family as a teenager, after spending a couple of years living in Mexico City. Although his background is in print journalism -he started out as a writer for El Nuevo Herald in Miami and spent several years as editor at Televisa Publishing- he also made his experience in the online world from early on, working as a writer for Univision.com and later leading teams as senior editor at Terra and MSN Latino. His job has led him to interview all kinds of celebrities, from John Leguizamo and Mark Wahlberg to Café Tacuba and Celia Cruz. Juan is a drummer and a Twitter addict, and loves old cars, fútbol and punk rock.
	Myrah Duque, former Coldwell Banker Realtor, graduate of Miami-Dade College, owner of Duque Transport In., is a multi-tasking, passionate blogger and businesswoman who is putting her skills to work for her readers! She has a passion for coupons and has started the journey to make a radical life change by beating the system, providing and feeding her family by paying less, LOTS LESS! How is she doing that? Remember the passion for coupons? Those magical little pieces of paper? They have enabled this Frugal blogger and exceptional businesswoman to have it all! Mamacita as Myrah is frequently referred to, shares her passion/obsession by teaching money saving tips in not one but TWO languages: English andEspañol! For her loyal English speaking followers she does this over at Coupon Mamacita and for her Spanish speaking seguidores she dedicates time to them at Mamacita La Cuponera!
	Calixto Chinchilla has made powerful and impactful progress for Latinos in the film industry. He is the Founder and Executive Director of the New York International Latino Film Festival. Founded in 1999, the festival realizes his dream to host an international festival that features domestic and international films by and/or about Latinos. Attracting over 100,000 attendees since its inception and garnering the attention of Hollywood and media from across the globe, the festival has quickly grown as the largest urban Latino film festival in the U.S. He has been featured in Entrepreneur Magazine, NY Times, Hollywood Reporter; as well as a speaker at Columbia University, The City College of New York’s Graduate Center, The Center For Communications and New York University’s Tisch School of The Arts…to name a few. Calixto received a photography scholarship and studied marketing at New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology.Calixto Chinchilla has made powerful and impactful progress for Latinos in the film industry. Founded in 1999, the festival realizes his dream to host an international festival that features domestic and international films by and/or about Latinos. Attracting over 100,000 attendees since its inception and garnering the attention of Hollywood and media from across the globe, the festival has quickly grown as the largest urban Latino film festival in the U.S. He has been featured in Entrepreneur Magazine, NY Times, Hollywood Reporter; as well as a speaker at Columbia University, The City College of New York’s Graduate Center, The Center For Communications and New York University’s Tisch School of The Arts…to name a few. Calixto received a photography scholarship and studied marketing at New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology.
	Jaime Gamboa is managing director, U.S. Hispanic and Latin America, at Create Advertising. A marketing and advertising executive with 15 years experience building brands in the media and communications industry, Jaime¹s expertise spans creative direction, content creation and production. Over the years he has spearheaded the conceptualization, development and execution of dozens of multiplatform consumer engagement campaigns across digital, mobile, TV, print and radio. During his tenure at Create, Jaime has led his team as creative director and executive producer on campaigns for more than 30 film and television projects on behalf of Universal Pictures, Warner Bros, Film District, Disney, Fox Broadcasting, ABC Television, Mundo Fox, Canana Films, Pantelion/Lionsgate. He previously spearheaded the launches of People en Español and Tu Ciudad, LLC. Jaime resides in Los Angeles and holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in International Business from San Diego State University. He is the proud father of two daughters, Sabrina and Natalia, ages 13 and 2, respectively.
	Cristina Ramirez is a jack of all trades and master of none. Her current iteration is that she is a wife to a loving husband, mother of two young boys, cycling advocate, author, preschool teacher, and back-of-the-pack triathlete. Previous iterations include: single & semi insane, social entrepreneur, investment banker, high tech marketing exec, tennis and volleyball player, drinker and pack-a-day smoker. Three years ago she could barely run around the block, and today she is training for triathlons and working towards IronMan Florida in November 2013.
	As founder, and President, of Ellen Jacoby Casting International, a casting office with separate film, television, commercial and Hispanic divisions, Ellen has employed over 230,000 Florida actors, dancers, performers through the years. There isn’t a movie-goer around the world whose image of South Beach isn’t the bikini-clad women, roller skaters and pretty people of “The Birdcage”, or the zany-ness of Jim Carrey’s “Ace Ventura” as he makes his way around South Florida, or the unusual charisma of “There’s Something About Mary” as it became an instant cult “classic”. . . or the vision of a space shuttle launch in “Contact” at Cape Canaveral. . .or Harrier jets taking off from the 7 mile bridge in the Keys in “True Lies.” And all of these were Ellen Jacoby-cast feature films. Having worked with a who’s who of Hollywood directors, including: Steven Soderbergh, Joel Schumacher, Sidney Pollack, The Farrelly Bros., Bob Zemekis, Ron Howard, Mike Nicols, Michael Bay, Randa Haines, Tom Shadyac, Martin Scorsese, Tim Burton, Garry Marshall, John Landis, James Cameron, Joe Roth, Mira Nair and Tony Scott, Ellen Jacoby is one name that Hollywood keeps at the tip of its tongues, and at the top of its address book. With her committed 24/7 schedule, Ellen finds time to lecture; teach and coach acting courses and devote her time to various local charities.
	Mónica Talán is executive vice president of Corporate Communications and Public Relations at Univision Communications, Inc., the leading media company serving Hispanic America. In this position, she is responsible for overseeing corporate and internal communications as well as programming public relations leading teams in New York and Miami. Ms. Talán is also a part of the steering committee for Univision’s Women’s Leadership Council, an employee resource group organized to help advance women at Univision and prepare the next generation of women leaders. Since joining Univision in 2008, she has been instrumental in helping drive coverage of Univision to enhance the Company’s visibility in the media landscape. She created the Corporate Communications department and has since effectively transformed the Company’s relations with key media, stakeholders and influencers. Her strategic approach and distinct experience in media relations have helped further elevate the Univision brand. Ms. Talán is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, where she was recognized as College of Communications Outstanding Alumnus 2012-2013. She has been involved in several industry organizations and previously served as Vice President of the Board for the Hispanic Public Relations Association’s New York Chapter.
	Will Freyre is República’s Senior Director of Digital Innovation. With more than 17 years experience as a working creative professional, Will has been responsible for designing and directing award-winning campaigns for top brands such as Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, SC Johnson, Wachovia, Gallo Wineries, M&M/Mars, and many others. Will’s prior experience includes working as an Sr. Art Director at Zubi Advertising, co-founding the agency’s Digital Division and helping evolve it into their Integrated Marketing Division. Seasoned in providing premium creative for a variety of media, Will has also taught graphic and web design courses for Florida International University’s Studio of Digital Arts program (the SODA). Additionally, Will is an active community leader, and serves on the marketing and social media committees of the non-profit

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