Empathy In Action With Megan Hogan The Latino Majority podcast

28:09

Fernando De Leon counts himself as one of the luckiest guys in the world. The Mexican American billionaire grew up in Brownsville, Texas, and Matamoros, Mexico, graduated cum laude from Harvard, and began his career as an analyst at Goldman Sachs before launching Leon Capital Group. The humble real estate company in Texas has grown into a powerhouse with businesses across financial services, healthcare, and real estate. Along the way, De Leon hit billionaire status and receiving a self-made score of 10 from Forbes—putting him in the ranks with twenty other people with the same score, including Oprah. De Leon is deeply committed to giving back through his family foundation, which focuses on tackling poverty in South Texas and northern Mexico, and through the De Leon Scholars Program, which invests in the next generation of changemakers across the state to Texas. In a special live taping of The Latino Majority podcast held at The Alumni Society’s Leadership Summit in Chicago, De Leon shares his story of resilience and success from humble beginnings to becoming one of the few Mexican American billionaires.…

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David “Big Papi" Ortiz’s New Game: Philanthropy, Rum, and Redefining Success 34:11

9 weeks ago34:11

34:11

Everyone knows famed Boston Red Sox player David Ortiz as Big Papi. He made a name for himself in the batter’s box as a designated hitter, winning seven Silver Slugger awards, joining the 500 Home Run Club, and helping the Red Sox break its 86-year World Series drought—and win two more World Series before his retirement in 2016. But his work didn’t end when he stepped off the field for the final time. Big Papi transformed into a philanthropist and entrepreneur, drawing on his dedication for family, community, and the Dominican Republic. His foundation, the David Ortiz Children’s Fund, helps provide critical pediatric services to children in New England and the Dominican Republic. And his latest entrepreneurial venture, Ozama Rum, is crafted entirely in his home country, from sugar cane to bottle. It all comes down to dedication, hard work, and proving people wrong.…

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The Alumni Society’s Ricardo Anzaldua Is a Coalition Builder 37:30

11 weeks ago37:30

37:30

If anyone knows the power behind convening Latinos to make an impact, it’s Ricardo Anzaldua. His impulse to organize and bring Latinos together began early while growing up in New Mexico and South Texas. In high school as the Chicano movement gained traction, he became a strong advocate for Mexican American civil rights and a community organizer. He took that passion to elite institutions like his alma mater, Brown University where he advocated for diversifying student admissions and increased support for students of color. While earning his law degree at Harvard, he helped lead an all-Latino summit of students from all Ivy League schools to discuss breaking barriers for future generations. For many, it became a semblance of home—a space to share stories, pride, and culture-bending experiences with peers from far-flung corners of the country. Decades later, inspired by those energizing student gatherings, Ricardo cofounded The Alumni Society in 2015 to once again bring together like-minded Latinos this time to show corporations the thousands of successful, ambitious Latino leaders poised to make a difference at the highest level in corporate America. The Alumni Society’s tenth anniversary is on the horizon, and the work is far from over. Ricardo sees more opportunities than ever to empower the Latino community at all levels and become a force of change.…

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Nationwide’s JJ Perez Believes in the Power of Education 43:54

14 weeks ago43:54

43:54

We are shaped by those who came before us and, in turn, we help shape the lives of those who come after us. Nationwide’s Juan José (JJ) Pérez knows this all too well. He grew up watching his father attend law school at night while working two jobs, making sacrifices while Perez and his siblings were young to not only better provide for their family in the long term but also be an example of what they could achieve. Those lessons continue to resonate with Perez today, both as president for Nationwide Financial’s Corporate Solutions and as a mentor for Latino youth in the Columbus community. He’s a fierce advocate for educational opportunity and empowering young Latinos to view education as a tool for leadership and advancement. Education changed the trajectory of his father’s life, and Perez knows it will be a catalyst for the Latino community in Ohio and beyond.…

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Alex López Negrete Advocates for Reflective Marketing 41:47

16 weeks ago41:47

41:47

Forty years ago, Alex López Negrete saw an opportunity to represent the Hispanic market and provide strategic direction to some of the biggest names in corporate America. The Houston-based Lopez Negrete Communications, cofounded with his wife Cathy, is now the largest independently owned and operated Hispanic advertising firm in the country. López Negrete has been recognized over the years for his leadership in the space. Most recently, he was inducted into the American Advertising Federation Advertising Hall of Fame Class of 2025. His work is far from over. Latinos are the fastest-growing segment with undeniable economic power. Yet there is still a need to educate corporate America on how to reach the community. López Negrete, ever optimistic, looks toward growth. Reaching Latinos is not about checking a box. Marketers seek growth, and López Negrete knows the Latino community is opportunity they need to fully embrace.…

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Bonus Episode: VIDA’s Felida Villarreal Propels the Rio Grande Valley Toward Success 33:07

18 weeks ago33:07

33:07

Felida Villarreal understands firsthand the cultural and familial expectations of the Rio Grande Valley residents. The powerhouse nonprofit leader grew up in the region, earned her degrees at the local university, and continues to empower residents to achieve their own success right in the valley through VIDA and its training programs. Villarreal stepped into the president and CEO role before the age of thirty and has made significant strides for an already strong regional nonprofit in the past three years. She’s grown VIDA’s budget, staff, and program participants. She secured federal funding in partnership with other local organizations to address the nursing labor shortage. And she’s not slowing down. Villarreal found her own success and purpose in the Rio Grande Valley, and through VIDA, she’s creating paths for others to do the same.…

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Acclaimed Author Marie Arana Changes Perceptions, One Story at a Time 35:59

20 weeks ago35:59

35:59

From the very beginning, words have been important to Marie Arana. The Peruvian American’s childhood was filled with music and literature, which formed her passion for storytelling and books as she navigated growing up in a bicultural household. Having an American mother, Arana learned to provide a counter narrative to Peruvian perceptions of Americans. Her love of books and writing grew into a literary career: books editor for the Washington Post , the inaugural literary director of the Library of Congress, literary director for the National Book Festival, and champion for editors and writers alike. And today, her counter narrative is focused on sharing the history and stories of who Latinos are through books like Silver, Sword, and Stone , and the recently released LatinoLand. Arana knows that to reach the hearts and minds of all audiences, all you need is a good story.…

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Javiera Balmaceda Pascal Proves Latino Stories Are for All Audiences 29:20

22 weeks ago29:20

29:20

Growing up in the ’80s with two working parents, Javiera Balmaceda Pascal often found herself at the movie theater with her younger brother Pedro Pascal. The siblings, raised in Texas and California by parents who had fled Chile, found comfort in the stories they saw on the screen. Where her brother chose to step in front of the camera, Balmaceda pursued shaping narratives instead—with a focus on Latin American storytelling. For the past two decades, the Chilean native has helped major production companies like HBO Latin America and now Amazon Prime develop successful series and films for Hispanic and international audiences. With each project she produces— News of a Kidnapping , Oscar-nominated Argentina, 1985 , or the upcoming House of the Spirits —Balmaceda shows that there is a desire from all audiences for Latino storytelling.…

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Carla Vernón Transforms Brands—and Herself 42:29

24 weeks ago42:29

42:29

Carla Vernón imagines a future that isn’t here yet. Her power of imagination has been her guide since childhood, allowing her to see beyond the information available to make decisions with both her head and her heart. The Princeton alum built her brand and leadership expertise at General Mills for almost twenty-two years, brought her vision to Amazon—and then became one of the first Afro-Latina CEOs of a US publicly traded company when she joined the Honest Company in 2023. She saw an opportunity to turnaround the personal care brand while transforming into the leader she was always meant to be. Vernón has stepped into her own not only as an executive but also an Afro-Latina leader. She’s unfolded her wings to fully be herself among her fellow Latinos, particularly on the board for the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino. She imagines a museum that inspires us to move forward and welcomes the rich complexities of what it means to be Latino.…

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Ileana Musa Invests in Latino Financial Empowerment 30:13

36 weeks ago30:13

30:13

Wealth is more than just finances. It’s about securing a legacy. Building a rich and fulfilling life. And Ileana Musa wants to make sure Latinos have every opportunity to build their wealth. She knows firsthand the challenges that come with building wealth. Musa was raised by a single mother, who brought her and her siblings over from Cuba at a young age. She saw her mother in action as an entrepreneur to take care of her family and build a brighter future. Through her work as head of sales at Morgan Stanley Private Bank and in the wealth management space, Musa focuses on the Latino community to provide financial empowerment. This mission culminates in The Latino Wealth Journey study, conducted in collaboration with the Morgan Stanley Institute for Inclusion, Hispanic Executive , and Semilla Multicultural. The report provides rich insights into the Latino financial journey and how they can build multigenerational wealth sooner rather than later. For Musa, it’s an exciting catalyst to move beyond achieving stability and secure financial independence and future for generations. Not tomorrow. Today.…

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Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham Pursues a Brighter Future 37:08

43 weeks ago37:08

37:08

Being a political trailblazer is in Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s DNA. Her grandfather Eugene D. Lujan was one of the first Hispanic justices of the New Mexico Supreme Court. In 2019, she made history as the first Democratic Latina elected governor in the United States. Lujan Grisham’s successes for New Mexicans—investing in high-quality education from early childhood through college, reaching historic economic growth, setting ambitious climate goals—come from the relationships she’s built during her forty-year career. She is honest about the challenges that lie ahead and the conversations that need to happen. For Lujan Grisham, to be a leader is to represent your community. She sees her responsibility, her legacy, to uplift the next generation of Latinos and Latinas. To have our elected officials better represent America. It’s a challenging path, but it’s one worth pursuing.…

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Monica Gil Lives Out Family Values to Create a Brighter Future 45:37

47 weeks ago45:37

45:37

Grit. Perseverance. Love. Those family values have been and will always be part of Monica Gil, who grew up the youngest of twelve children. She watched her parents and older siblings navigate systems and unspoken rules of the game, trailblazing a path for her to advance. Throughout her career at Nielsen and now at NBCUniversal Telemundo, Gil has always figured out how to reach back to bring Latinos along with her. To remove that “hassle factor” for Latinos and Latinas, and to remove barriers for future generations to get into spaces where they are few and far between. She’s launched women’s leadership programs, going beyond just doing one-on-ones. There’s also the Telemundo Academy, which serves students interested in pursuing careers in the media industry. Providing exposure to leadership and corporate opportunities is an important piece of the puzzle to Gil. It allows our community, our familia, to celebrate the wins and the defining moments together.…

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Dolores Huerta Fights the Good Fight 29:34

1 year ago29:34

29:34

Advocacy is at the heart of everything Dolores Huerta does. It was the influence of her mother’s community activism and her initial time as a teacher that spurred her lifelong journey as a community organizer. She met César Chavez while serving in the Stockton Community Service Organization, and the pair went on to launch the United Farm Workers union in 1962. That was only the beginning for Huerta. She became the most visible spokesperson for the union, securing seemingly impossible feats that allowed California farm workers to wield economic power. She challenged gender discrimination within the farm workers’ movement and campaigned in the early 2000s to encourage Latinas to run for office. At 94, Huerta continues her life’s work as president and founder of the Dolores Huerta Foundation. She’s advocating for women’s rights and the Equal Rights Amendment. She’s encouraging young Latinos to make their voices heard at the ballot box. Because for Dolores Huerta, Latinos are the future.…

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How Avocados Shape American Identity with Alvaro Luque 51:27

1 year ago51:27

51:27

For Alvaro Luque, marketing strategies that promote avocados and celebrate the rich heritage of the Latino community will always be the way to go. With a career marked by groundbreaking initiatives, including AFM's historic Super Bowl advertising campaigns, Alvaro has solidified his reputation as a trailblazer in the marketing world. His dedication to authenticity and cultural resonance has propelled AFM to unprecedented success. He’s also sparked meaningful conversations about diversity, inclusion, and representation. Alvaro shares insights into the complexities of bicultural identity, the evolving landscape of marketing to a multicultural nation and the transformative power of storytelling – something we especially champion here at The Latino Majority. Through his experiences and wisdom, get inspired to embrace your own cultural heritage and contribute to a more inclusive society.…

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The Story of Latinos in America: Must-Listen Moments from Our Show 1:59

1 year ago1:59