SAN ANTONIO (April 30, 2021) – The San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (SAHCC) is pleased to welcome its sixth cohort of 35 inspiring leaders to the Latina Leadership Institute (LLI).

Since SAHCC founded LLI in 2015, it has been a valuable resource for Latina leaders looking to serve the community by offering them the tools and resources to pursue elected-office as well as federal, state, and local appointment positions and boards/commissions.

“We are excited to welcome Cohort 6 into the Latina Leadership Institute where all 35 participants will be inspired to pursue their passions and hone in on their leadership skills, said Michelle Martinez, SAHCC leadership chair. “LLI has a strong community of alumna and advocates, and we all look forward to ensuring the Cohort’s journey over the next six months is a success.”

The Latina Leadership Institute was founded by the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in 2015 and is a non-partisan leadership program that has graduated five cohorts with now over 140 alumnae. 

Approximately half of the alumnae are currently serving on at least one new board, commission or committee. Additionally, six women have run for office, including current Bexar County Probate Judge Court 2 Veronica Vasquez and San Antonio City Councilwoman Melissa Havrda.

SAHCC congratulates the following individuals selected to participate in this year’s program:

• Adriana Pecina-Rios, City Education Partners
• Brenda Cervantes Sanchez, Whataburger
• Carolyn Palacios, San Antonio Red Cross
• Chelsea Rangel, Alzheimer's Association, San Antonio & South Texas Chapter
• Christina Perez, Community Family Medicine
• Dr. Lizette Goodloe, NY Life
• Elizabeth Escobedo, San Antonio Water Systems
• Elizabeth Navarro Berrocal, Center for Women and Family Health
• Elma Nieto-Rodriguez — City of San Antonio
• Erika Aránguiz Mourgues, Harlandale ISD
• Estrellita Garcia-Diaz, Jefferson Bank
• Gabriella Ibarra Noriega, AVANCE
• Gloria Ramos-Cortes, University of the Incarnate Word
• Jeanette Gonzalez, San Antonio River Authority
• Keyhla Calderon Lugo, Edgewood Independent School District
• Krizia Landivar, Naman Howell Smith and Lee
• Larissa Martinez, Circle of Arms
• Lilliana Gonzalez, San Antonio Water Systems
• Lily Garcia, Rober Garcia, CPA
• Maria Escamilla, Department of the Navy
• Mary Uribe, Texas House of Representatives – Diego Bernal
• Melissa Ortiz, St. PJ’s Children’s Home
• Nina Sosa, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
• Ofelia Delgado, Delgado Law Firm, PLLC
• Olga Maria Moucoulis, Edgewood ISD
• Olympia Cuellar, City of San Antonio - Economic Development
• Priscilla Hernandez, Bexar County Clerk - Hon. Lucy Adame-Clark
• Rachel Briseño Bruno, RE/MAX Unlimited
• Rebecca L. Garcia, New Your Life Insurance Company
• Rosalee Johnson, Security Service
• Sandra Garcia, The DoSeum
• Sandra Gonzalez-Lamb, St. Philip's College/ Work in Industry Now, Inc.
• Sandy Guevara, Calvetti Ferguson
• Selena Frost, USAA
• Tiffany Galvan, TMG Media, LLC (founder)

For more information about the Latina Leadership Institute, please call 210-225-0462 or visit our program web page.

About the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce:

Founded in 1929, America’s first Hispanic Chamber and San Antonio’s only Five-Star accredited organization by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce continues to be the leader in business assistance, connecting its members to needed resources, providing procurement, marketing and networking opportunities, advocating for legislation affecting small businesses and corporations in the San Antonio metropolitan area, and better training to develop the skills of our local workforce.