SAHCC Announces 2024 Co-Chairs for Latina Leadership Institute Class 9

The San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the 2024 Co-Chair selections for Latina Leadership Institute Class 9: Erica “Nikki” Martinez and Annelise Gonzalez.

Erica "Nikki" Martinez, PhD, LMSW

Adjunct Professor at Dominican University & Fellow at Trinity School Design Network


For over 20 years, Nikki has served in the non-profit sector. Her experience includes working with individuals experiencing homelessness, children, mental health, development, event planning and grant writing. She is a proud Latina Leadership Institute alumna of Cohort 4 and gives back to her community by serving on multiple boards and committees. Erica is a fellow for the Trinity School Design Network, which is preparing her to lead Lighthouse Public Schools in school redesign efforts.

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    Erica Martinez comes to us after serving 20 years in the nonprofit world. Her experience includes working with individuals experiencing homelessness, children, mental health, development, event planning and grant writing. 


    She is currently working on her PhD degree in Social Work with an emphasis on Hispanic populations. In 2021, Erica was awarded the PhD Student of the Year from the Worden School of Social Service at Our Lady of the Lake University.


    In her most recent role she served as the Director of Housing for a local agency where she led a large team and managed a $2 million budget. During her tenure, she led the efforts for a full program redesign which resulted in a 75% reduction in returns to homelessness. 


    Upon her arrival to Lighthouse, Erica initiated the first internship program at Lighthouse Public Schools and serves as a Field Instructor to undergraduate and graduate social work students. In her inaugural year as a Field Instructor, Erica was awarded the C.J. Collins Field Instructor of the Year Award. 


    She is a proud Latina Leadership Institute alumna of Cohort 4 and gives back to her community by serving on multiple boards and committees. Erica is a fellow for the Trinity School Design Network, which is preparing her to lead Lighthouse Public Schools in our school redesign efforts. 


    In her personal time, Erica enjoys exploring the world with her husband and three amazing sons, who are students of Lighthouse Public Schools. 


    Erica’s view on leadership and impact can be summed up in the following quote:

    "I’m not saying I’m gonna change the world, but I guarantee that I will spark the brain that will change the world" - 2Pac

Annelise Gonzalez

Senior VP of Operations, San Antonio Board of REALTORS®

Annelise is the Vice President of Member Engagement for the San Antonio Board of REALTORS® (SABOR). Prior to joining SABOR, Annelise previously worked for both U.S. Congressman Lamar Smith and U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison. She was appointed to the Nueces River Authority Board by Governor Gregg Abbot in 2019. She previously sat on the steering committee for the Latina Leadership Institute, held a board membership for the Latina Power Network, and currently sits on the Diversity Committee for the Texas REALTORS®. 

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    Annelise V. Gonzalez was born and raised in Laredo, TX. She moved to San Antonio, TX in 1999 and graduated from University of Texas at San Antonio with both a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a Master’s in Public Administration. 


    She is the Vice President of Member Engagement for the San Antonio Board of REALTORS® (SABOR), a position she has held since 2017. Prior to joining SABOR, Annelise previously worked for both U.S. Congressman Lamar Smith and U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison. She was appointed to the Nueces River Authority Board by Governor Gregg Abbot in 2019, in which she is serving a six year term. 


    She previously sat on the steering committee for the Latina Leadership Institute, held a board membership for the Latina Power Network, and currently sits on the Diversity Committee for the Texas REALTORS®. 


    Annelise is married to Cesar Gonzalez and has two children, Audrey (13) and Christian (9). 

About the Hispanic Leadership Development Foundation:

The mission of the Hispanic Leadership Development Foundation 501(c)3 is to remove barriers of past discrimination in the San Antonio workforce and fill a void in the San Antonio community by providing a number of accessible and affordable activities, which are designed to target small, minority and women owned businesses and minority youth, who require education and support to become leaders in the San Antonio community. The Foundation also educates participants on policy issues affecting the civic and economic well-being of the community and create a larger pool of knowledgeable, skilled and active leaders.


Structure of the 501(c)3 organization: The Hispanic Leadership Development Foundation is structured under the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. All leadership and educational programs are run through the foundation.