Director of Entrepreneurship, Executive Director

• Jan 2021 - Present

KIVA US Advisory Board

• Oct 2022 - Present

Providing insight and feedback on programs, making introductions to key leaders in priority markets with the goal of onboarding new hubs and introductions to key entities to support Managed Lending or Kiva US initiatives. Providing insight and feedback on programs, making introductions to key leaders in priority markets with the goal of onboarding new hubs and introductions to key entities to support Managed Lending or Kiva US initiatives.

Communications Director

• Sep 2022 - Present

As the Communications Director, I am promoting entrepreneurship in underserved communities and developing relationships in the local business community while celebrating the accomplishments of BALSA Foundation alumni and promoting their success.

Executive Director

• Sep 2019 - Dec 2022

The (BALSA) Foundation is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization that provides uplifts, supports and mentors first-time entrepreneurs of color in the St. Louis region.➩ Participated in the decision-making process to promote equity, equality, and economic growth through business advancement in the St. Louis region.➩ Implemented strategic, quantifiable objectives to promote diversity, equity, inclusion; created procedures that monitored advancement towards established goals.➩ Advised and mentored entrepreneurs; providing strategies and other resources to guide their business during and after participating in the program.➩ Developed and managed community relationships with key stakeholders to create and advance programs and funding through the vision of equality.

Business Director

• Aug 2016 - Sep 2019

Founded in 2014, The BALSA Foundation is a volunteer-run organization of entrepreneurs, scientists, community leaders, and young professionals. The Foundation aims to make entrepreneurship accessible – and success attainable – to everyone. We believe that helping first-time entrepreneurs start and grow their business is an effective way to promote community, equity, and economic growth in our region. We are passionate about providing opportunities to thrive especially to those in our underserved communities.

Co Host

• Sep 2018 - Present

𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 To create access to education and resources for bilingual Latinx small business owners and professionals, while forming strong partnerships which support and create community. 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 To empower and showcase bilingual Latinx professionals and small business owners by creating a platform in which to share our stories and lessons learned. 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 To create access to education and resources for bilingual Latinx small business owners and professionals, while forming strong partnerships which support and create community. 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 To empower and showcase bilingual Latinx professionals and small business owners by creating a platform in which to share our stories and lessons learned.

Owner

• Mar 2015 - Present

Our mission is simple: to serve you the best Mexican food and drink possible while providing economic opportunities to the community through employment and training, servant leadership, financial and product support and being active members of the region. Our mission is simple: to serve you the best Mexican food and drink possible while providing economic opportunities to the community through employment and training, servant leadership, financial and product support and being active members of the region.

Founder

• Jan 2004 - Present

Charter Member

• 1997 - Present

Member of the North Oakland/Macomb Chapter of Jack and Jill of America. Currently the Foundation Chair and Co-Teen Advisor. Have served in various capacities since the inception of the chapter including: Program Director, Editor, Recording Secretary, Fundraiser Chair, Service Committee Chair, Teen Advisor, Protocol Chair, Mothers' Cluster Chair, Children's Conference Chair, Age Group Chair, Associates Chair, Retreat Chair, Sunshine Chair and Membership Committee. No a part of the Associates Group.

Business Counselor

• Apr 2016 - Jan 2021

Serves as consultant to Hispanic owned businesses; delivered value by providing strategic guidance, advice and support to increase economic power and reach respective communities. ➩ Offers one on one coaching, provides guidance and connections with suggestions to help member businesses start, open their doors, get into brick and mortar with growth. ➩ Analyzes, plans, implements and evaluates strategic projects; supporting business’ growth strategies. ➩ Follows market trends to develop brands and recommend improvements to business’ existing products and services. ➩ Collaborates closely with community agencies and other business development agencies to connect chamber members with technical assistance providers, MWBE certifying bodies or other resources to help business reach specific milestones established. ➩ Provides strategic planning assistance to organizations wanting to service Hispanic owned businesses in Spanish and connecting them to the appropriate resources in the community. ➩ Build, strengthen and sustain relationships with other MWBEs and procurement and diversity officials in the public and private sectors. ➩ Work on a plan to implement workforce development in Puerto Rico and connect St. Louis based companies to available employees, universities and other organizations while helping companies develop a strategic plan to support and welcome new employees to St. Louis.

Business Development Coach

• Feb 2013 - Jan 2021

Leading the SW Detroit Cohort, ProsperUS Detroit is an entrepreneurial training and microlending program for Detroit residents, particularly those who are African-American, Arab-American or Latino. ProsperUS aims to help establish at least 70 new minority-owned businesses in the city. By helping emerging entrepreneurs develop successful businesses, ProsperUS will help strengthen neighborhood economies, create jobs, serve residents with new goods and services, and cultivate community-based leadership. Now in my third year, I am working with two new cohorts, one exclusively in Spanish and the other in English. http://www.swsol.org/prosperus

SWOT City Project Manager

• Mar 2015 - Jan 2019

TechTown’s SWOT City program combines economic development and start-up acceleration strategies to transform historically underserved neighborhoods into vibrant and dense communities. Currently, TechTown works in Detroit’s Brightmoor, East Jefferson, Grandmont Rosedale, Osborn, Southwest, and University District neighborhoods. The SWOT City Program delivers TechTown Detroit small business acceleration services including one-on-one mentoring and full SWOT assessments, neighborhood businesses through partnerships with community and economic development organizations. • Provide small business coaching for brick-and-mortar establishments with a focus in Southwest Detroit. • Work with clients to identify and develop three to six month milestone plans, to help stabilize or accelerate business growth. • Provide guidance and resources to help clients achieve goals. Have successfully helped clients received New Economy Initiative Grants and Motor City Match Awards as well as other awards including Retail Boot Camp Draft Day.

Member

• Apr 2014 - Jan 2019

Reaching the Unbanked and Underserved Across America The Alliance for Economic Inclusion (AEI) is the FDIC's national initiative to establish broad-based coalitions of financial institutions, community-based organizations and other partners in several markets across the country to bring all unbanked and underserved populations into the financial mainstream. The focus is on expanding basic retail financial services for underserved populations, including savings accounts, affordable remittance products, small-dollar loan programs, targeted financial education programs, alternative delivery channels and other asset-building programs. The FDIC continues to expand its AEI efforts to increase measurable results in the areas of new bank accounts, small-dollar loan products, remittance products, and delivery of financial education to more underserved consumers. For example, during calendar year 2011, over 494 banks and organizations joined AEI nationwide, bringing the total number of AEI members nationwide to 1,613. More than 404,591 new bank accounts have been opened; more than 270,476 consumers have been provided financial education. Twenty-four banks are in the process of offering or developing small-dollar loans, and seventeen AEI banks are providing deposit accounts consistent with the FDIC Model Safe Account Template through the AEI.

Podcast Host

• Feb 2018 - Nov 2018

DMETOO is a podcast made for YOU. Follow along as we share our stories and experiences to help you navigate the workplace and all aspects of running your own business through the anectodas and experiencias of Junior, Gabriela and Hector. We hope to make you laugh but also make you think about the way you look at yourself as a Latino professional or entrepreneur and that the information that we share with you will take you and your business efforts to the next level. ¿Que dijo?!? DmeToo es un podcast hecho para ti. Síguenos mientras compartimos nuestras historias y experiencias para ayudarte a navegar por el lugar de trabajo y todos los aspectos relacionados con la gestión de tu propio negocio a través de las experiencias y anécdotas de Junior, Gabriela y Hector. Esperamos hacerte reír pero también hacerte pensar en la forma en que te ves a ti mismo como un profesional o empresario latino y que la información que compartimos contigo te lleve a ti y a los esfuerzos de tu empresa al siguiente nivel. go to www.dmetoo.com/episodios

Member, Fund Development Committee

• Feb 2015 - May 2017

Working with fund development staff for events and funding outreach to ensure we keep the needs of girls in the forefront through programming, support, mentorship, education and camp experiences! Once a Girl Scout, always a Girl Scout. Working with fund development staff for events and funding outreach to ensure we keep the needs of girls in the forefront through programming, support, mentorship, education and camp experiences! Once a Girl Scout, always a Girl Scout.

Founding Board Member

• Nov 2015 - Apr 2016

Founding board member of SW SOUP, the first bilingual SOUP to be held in Detroit! Detroit SOUP is a micro-granting dinner celebrating and supporting creative projects in Detroit. For a donation $5 attendees receive soup, salad, bread and a vote and hear from four presentations ranging from art, urban agriculture, social justice, social entrepreneurs, education, technology and more. Each presenter has four minutes to share their idea and answer four questions from the audience. At the event, attendees eat, talk, share resources, enjoy art and vote on the project they think benefits the city the most. At the end of the night, we count the ballots and the winner goes home with all of the money raised to carry out their project. Winners come back to a future SOUP dinner to report their project’s progress.

Financial Coach, Center For Working Families

• Apr 2014 - Apr 2016

Budget, Banking, Credit Score and so much more. As a Financial Coach, I help clients establish budgets, talk to them about the best way to start saving, learn about the banking system and help them understand and improve credit scores. Finance has many paths and I also encourage clients to evaluate their skills and possibly start a business; take advantage of tax credits; buy a home or pay off back taxes; pay off debt and leave a legacy for their families. Each week I host a workshop for PATH participants to discuss the factors that led to their current situation and offer financial tips on how to get through the tough times. I also pass on resources that may be beneficial and help participants understand that they can change their situation right now, one step at a time.

Policy Committee Community Representative

• Oct 2013 - Aug 2015

Administrative Director

• May 2013 - Dec 2013

Strong administrative and moral leader with passion for the education of urban students to meet rigorous academic, career and life challenges. Key strategist in the creation, development and execution of infrastructure decisions and partnerships to ensure the school success including transportation, technology, food services, messaging, marketing, social media, permits and inspections and the recruitment and hiring of key positions. Decisive, data-driven manager who assesses the full impact of every executive action on students’ educational opportunities and the community impact. Experienced negotiator and consensus-builder who understands the needs of the families in the community, politics and operating norms, and applies common sense to navigate conflict and achieve success.

Board Member

• Dec 2012 - Oct 2013

Working on the Budget committee of the advisory board for Macomb County Community Services Agency. MCAAB members are representatives from the public, consumer and private sectors Working on the Budget committee of the advisory board for Macomb County Community Services Agency. MCAAB members are representatives from the public, consumer and private sectors

Hispanic Initiative Coordinator

• 2010 - 2013

Led the Hispanic initiative for the Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan by developing, managing and implementing the infrastructure to support outreach to the Hispanic community and a culture that better serves Hispanic families through Spanish materials, resources and support. Our overarching mission is to engage bilingual parents and adults to help foster the growth of the Hispanic girl participation. Developing relationships and collaborations with community partners has been key in fostering the growth of a membership base that reflects the demographics of the communities we serve. • Developed a relevant communication strategy for girls and parents (print, email, web-based, outside billboards, signage, presentations and marketing collateral). • Coached, mentored and supported volunteers to ensure the delivery of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience is prevalent in all troop activities, while assisting in the implementation of evaluating the Girl Scout Leadership Experience and troop experience of girls, parents and adult volunteers. • Recruited, trained and supported adult volunteers and girl members through responsive high-quality customer service; relevant cultural program offerings that were tied to the national program • Promoted Girl Scouting in the community to enhance the understanding and appreciation of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience through series and events in collaboration with other non-profit and for-profit businesses • Ensured that diversity and pluralism were embraced and incorporated into the work of the council through collaborations to support Fund Development to increase grants; strengthen staff understanding of the importance of outreach and building community partnership and collaborations to better serve girls and adults

Member

• 2006 - 2013

Love the links and have met some great ladies on the course. Most inspiring work has happened as part of the Golf for the Cause Committee that we have hosted for the last 4 years in hopes of finding a cure for this disease that has affected so many of our loved ones. Great times and lots of creativity as part of the Invitational Committee! Oh and I can't forgot the Ladie's league committee....2012 Club Championship, 2011 and 2010 Invitational Champs, 2009 Club Championship...good times! Love the links and have met some great ladies on the course. Most inspiring work has happened as part of the Golf for the Cause Committee that we have hosted for the last 4 years in hopes of finding a cure for this disease that has affected so many of our loved ones. Great times and lots of creativity as part of the Invitational Committee! Oh and I can't forgot the Ladie's league committee....2012 Club Championship, 2011 and 2010 Invitational Champs, 2009 Club Championship...good times!

Partnership Chair

• Apr 2010 - Jun 2012

Program Director

• Aug 2009 - Aug 2011

Responsible for the development and hosting of cultural, educational, social and recreational Chapter events.

Pillars of Succes Program Co-Chair

• Aug 2009 - Aug 2011

Co-Chair the implementation and coordination of the Pillars of Success Program at Pontiac Middle School in Pontiac Michigan in collaboration with the Excel Program in an effort to encourage and motivate the students to become empowered and excel in life. A series of Life and Educational Skills workshops were developed to promote self-responsibility and motivate students to maintain positive relationships and respect for others.

Member PTSA

• 2007 - 2010

Involved in the planning of parent activities to support staff and students at Adams High School and Chair of the Senior All Night Party. Involved in the planning of parent activities to support staff and students at Adams High School and Chair of the Senior All Night Party.

Volunteer/PTSA member

• 2007 - 2009

Involved in coordination of the parents to support students and chair of the 8th grade graduation party. Involved in coordination of the parents to support students and chair of the 8th grade graduation party.

Retreat Chair

• 2006 - 2008

Developed and coordinated program and speakers for the Pure Fashion Retreat. Developed and coordinated program and speakers for the Pure Fashion Retreat.

Neighborhood Service Unit Director

• Oct 1997 - Jun 2007

Coordinated the Neighborhood programming, fundraising, meeting, camping and partnerships for over 350 girls and mothers and almost 100 leaders throughout 6 elementary, middle and high school. Trained leaders and led monthly neighborhood meetings. Coordinated the Neighborhood programming, fundraising, meeting, camping and partnerships for over 350 girls and mothers and almost 100 leaders throughout 6 elementary, middle and high school. Trained leaders and led monthly neighborhood meetings.

Bilingual Educator

• Aug 2000 - Oct 2002

Helped Spanish speakers learn the importance of self examination and yearly exams for the prevention of breast and cervical cancer. Proactively addressed cultural gaps by designing and deliverng specific talks to women in an informal setting and effectively balanced individual medical needs to appropriaterly assist women get the medical care they needed. Monitored individual needs and personally transported and interpreted during doctor's visits to ensure doctor and patient could understand each other and that patient was comfortable with treatment.

Spanish Teacher

• Oct 2001 - Jun 2002

Taught Spanish 1 and 2 to High School students and shared with them a deeper understanding of latino culture through experiences, activities and speakers. Taught Spanish 1 and 2 to High School students and shared with them a deeper understanding of latino culture through experiences, activities and speakers.