Issuu

The Highlights

The 9th Annual Board Leaders Convening took place at the InterContinental Hotel in downtown Miami -- the first time in the state of Florida.

This was the largest gathering of Latino business leaders to date with over 400 Members, CEOs, diversity allies, corporate partners including; Fortune 1000 companies, private equity, and search firms.

The agenda featured dynamic panels, peer exchanges, trending corporate governance discussions presented by some of the nation’s leading business leaders, and our annual Corporate Visionary Awards reception and dinner.

FEATURED SPEAKERS

View full speakers list

Jimenez Williams Former President & CEO, PG&E Director, Siemens Energy AG

Inc. Director,

José R. Mas CEO, MasTec, Inc. Director, Helmerich & Payne

CONVENING BY THE NUMBERS

FIRESIDE CHAT WITH BILL FORD: DRIVING INNOVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY AT FORD MOTOR COMPANY

LATINA LEADERSHIP AT THE TOP: NAVIGATING FORTUNE 500 COMPANIES

Founder & Managing Partner, Medina Ventures

420 SPEAKERS SESSIONS

MEMBERS AND PARTNERS IN ATTENDANCE - THE LARGEST CONVENING TO DATE!

Former President & CEO, AutoNation; Director, Celsius Holdings; Old Dominion Freight Line; Tyson Foods

A CONVERSATION WITH MANNY MEDINA: SOUTH FLORIDA’S TECH VISIONARY

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE WORLD’S LARGEST SPANISH-LANGUAGE MEDIA GIANT?

“The work LCDA is leading, the story we’re telling, and the mission we’re driving is resonating with corporate America and boardrooms across the US.”

Accelerating Latino Representation on Corporate Boards, Ozzie Gromada Meza, President & CEO, Latino Corporate Directors Association (LCDA)

William Clay Ford, Jr. Executive Chair, Ford Motor Company

Cheryl Scully Miller

Priscilla Almodovar President & CEO, Fannie Mae Director, Realty Income

Daniel Alegre CEO, TelevisaUnivision,

FEMSA

Geisha

Manny Medina

Relive The Moments

Unforgettable Moments at the Convening Opening Reception and Corporate Visionary Awards Afterparty

Step into lively snapshots from the Convening Opening Reception and Corporate Visionary Awards Afterparty capturing the infectious energy of LCDA Members and Partners at the iconic InterContinental Miami. Full Gallery available through January 31, 2025.

The Corporate Visionary Awards recognize forward-looking companies dedicated to advancing Latino representation on their corporate boards. The awardees are distinguished by having at least two US Latinos serving on their boards, demonstrating a commitment to diversity and inclusion. This year’s awards were emceed by award-winning journalist Maria Elena Salinas.

Our 2024 Corporate Visionary Awards were presented to:

The Inaugural 2024 Pioneer Award was presented to Ambassador

found on page 9

Pictured: Top Row - Daniel Alegre, Debra Sandler, Amb. Vilma Martinez Soccorro, Bottom Row - Francisco J. Leon, Maria Elena Salinas, Kelly Salicky

Vilma Socorro Martinez. More details can be

ACCESS CONVENING RESOURCES

LCDA’s 9th Annual Board Leaders Convening Highlights

Experience LCDA’s 9th Annual Board Leaders Convening by watching key highlights from the event in Miami.

View Video

View the 9th Annual Board Leaders Convening Program Book

Short Take: Accelerating Latino Representation on Corporate Boards

View Slides

LCDA President & CEO, Ozzie Gromada Meza shared the organization’s efforts to expand Latino representation, engaging over 1,600 companies and nearly 700 board-ready leaders. He emphasized the value of inclusive governance and called for continued collaboration to secure Latino leadership in corporate America amid evolving challenges.

Ozzie highlighted LCDA’s targeted state campaigns, which have showcased exceptional Latino talent while addressing the challenges of economic turbulence, shifting political climates, and evolving corporate strategies.

He underscored the importance of fostering unity, celebrating cultural identity, and strengthening professional pipelines to drive transformational change.

FEATURED SESSIONS

2025 Economic Outlook

Speakers:

Raul Anaya, Head of Business Banking, Bank of America

Chris Hyzy, Chief Investment Officer Merrill and Bank of America Private Bank

Panelists explored key trends shaping the financial future, emphasizing the resilience of the US economy, which achieved a soft landing in 2024 due to strong consumer spending and strategic fiscal policies. The conversation highlighted Generative AI as a transformative force driving productivity and innovation across industries, from healthcare to tech, while addressing challenges like workforce reskilling. Energy infrastructure emerged as a critical area of focus, with opportunities in sustainable power and digital systems. Panelists also noted the shift toward “asset-light” companies, cryptocurrency’s growing role in modern finance, and the importance of agility and informed decision-making to navigate the complexities ahead.

Daniel Alegre: What’s Next for the World’s Largest Spanish-Language Media Giant?

Speakers:

Michelle Caruso-Cabrera, CEO, MCC Productions; Director, Wendy’s Co.; Del Real Foods

Daniel Alegre, CEO, TelevisaUnivision, Inc.; Director, FEMSA

Daniel Alegre, CEO of Televisa, shared his inspiring journey from growing up in Mexico City watching Televisa’s programming to leading the company as its CEO. Drawing on his leadership experience at Google and Activision Blizzard, Alegre emphasized the importance of a data-driven approach to understanding audience preferences and shaping content strategies. He discussed Televisa’s pivotal role in empowering the Hispanic/Latino community, addressing challenges like underinvestment in Spanish-language media and the need for better audience measurement tools. Alegre also highlighted his vision for integrating Televisa and Univision to create innovative content that bridges cultural and geographic divides while amplifying the voices and stories of Hispanic/Latino audiences.

Envisioning Tomorrow: The Future of the Boardroom

Speakers:

Susan Angele, Senior Advisor, KPMG Board Leadership Center, KPMG US Chair, Thirty Percent Coalition

Heather Hiles, Managing Partner, Imminent Equity; Director, Udemy, Inc.

Michael Marquardt, Chief Executive Officer, Epi One, Inc.

Gisel Ruiz, Director, Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.; TelevisaUnivision, Inc.; Ulta Beauty Inc.; Vital Farms, Inc.

Speakers discussed the evolving role of boards in a rapidly changing world, emphasizing the shift from periodic oversight to real-time decision-making. Key themes included fostering psychological safety to empower diverse perspectives, integrating ESG principles with mission alignment, and enhancing directors’ preparedness through continuous learning on emerging technologies like AI and quantum computing. The session underscored the importance of trust and candor in board-CEO relationships and highlighted qualities such as curiosity, adaptability, and innovation as critical for effective board leadership in navigating future challenges.

FEATURED SESSIONS

Fireside Chat with Bill Ford: Driving Innovation and Sustainability at Ford Motor Company

Speakers:

Kim Casiano, Director, Ford Motor Company; Mutual of America Financial Group; FHLBank of Atlanta

William Clay Ford, Jr., Executive Chair, Ford Motor Company

Bill Ford, Executive Chairman of Ford Motor Company, joined Kim Casiano, a trailblazing Latina business leader and founding LCDA member, for an insightful fireside chat. The conversation explored Ford’s visionary leadership, from transforming the Rouge factory into an environmentally-friendly facility to advancing mobility technologies, and emphasized the importance of engaging the Latino community as a strategic priority for business growth and innovation. Bill Ford also spoke about the unique dynamics of running a family-owned business, sharing his standards for merit-based hiring and managing family involvement. He addressed Ford’s commitment to supporting communities by making vehicles more affordable and sponsoring Latino executives for industry events. Additionally, he discussed the challenges of gaining government recognition for innovative technologies like E-REV hybrids and shared his forward-looking vision for the future of mobility.

Leadership Insights: A Conversation with José Mas, CEO of MasTec

Speakers:

Geisha Jimenez Williams, Former President & CEO, PG&E Corp.; Director, Siemens Energy AG

José Mas, CEO, MasTec, Inc; Director, Helmerich & Payne

The discussion delved into the evolution of MasTec, Inc., from its origins to becoming a leading infrastructure services provider. José Mas discussed the company’s roots, highlighting that in 1969, his father, Jorge Mas Canosa, acquired Church & Tower, a construction firm that later merged with Burnup & Sims in 1994 to form MasTec. Under José Mas’s leadership since 2007, MasTec has diversified its operations across sectors such as telecommunications, renewable energy, and oil and gas infrastructure, achieving significant revenue growth from $930 million in 2007 to an expected $12.4 billion in 2024. The conversation also touched on the challenges of leading a family business, the importance of resilience, and the role of Latino leadership in corporate America.

Latina Leadership at the Top: Navigating Fortune 500 Companies

Speakers:

Maria Elena Salinas, Independent Journalist

Priscilla Almodovar, Priscilla Almodovar, President & CEO, Fannie Mae; Director, Realty Income Corp.

Cheryl Scully Miller, Former President & CEO, AutoNation, Inc.; Director, Celsius Holdings, Inc.; Old Dominion Freight Line; Tyson Foods, Inc.

Geisha Jimenez Williams, Former President & CEO, PG&E Corp.; Director, Siemens Energy AG

For the first time in history, the three Latinas who have achieved the distinction of serving as CEOs of Fortune 1000 companies shared the stage to discuss the significance of Panelists discussed the importance of advocating for Latino representation in leadership as a business imperative, sharing how their lived experiences informed decisions that benefited broader communities. They emphasized actionable advice, including “owning your ambition,” seeking operational experience, and leveraging board positions to influence organizational outcomes. The discussion also addressed overcoming stereotypes, managing microaggressions, and balancing transactional and deep relationships in leadership. Panelists closed by urging leaders to actively support the next generation of Latino talent and ensure their contributions drive sustainable success.

FEATURED SESSIONS

A Conversation with Manny Medina: South Florida’s Tech Visionary

Speakers:

Evelyn D’An, Director, Backblaze, Inc.; GHD Group; Zoomcar Holdings, Inc.

Manny Medina, Founder & Managing Partner, Medina Ventures

This conversation delved into the entrepreneurial journey of Manny Medina, from immigrating to the US as a Cuban exile to founding and leading Terremark Worldwide, Inc. Medina shared how Terremark transformed IT infrastructure by establishing the Network Access Point (NAP) of the Americas, a critical communications hub connecting three continents, which became a global leader in managed IT services for Fortune 500 companies and government agencies. This success led to Terremark’s acquisition by Verizon in 2011 for $2 billion. He also discussed launching eMerge Americas, a global tech conference that has positioned Miami as a technology hub with significant economic impact. Medina emphasized the importance of resilience, building entrepreneurial ecosystems, and leveraging emerging technologies like AI and quantum computing, while underscoring his commitment to mentorship and fostering opportunities for future innovators.

Redefining Opulence: The Future of Luxury Goods and Services

Speakers:

Sandra Campos, President & CEO, PetMed Express, Inc.; Director: PDS, Ltd.

Robert Chavez, President & CEO, Hermès Americas

Payam Zamani, Chairman & CEO, One Planet Group and Inspirato

Top executives in luxury products and services gathered to explore the evolving landscape of luxury in a rapidly changing world, including Miami as a new epicenter of luxury. Panelists discussed key trends shaping the industry, from the impact of digital transformation and sustainable innovation to shifting consumer preferences and the rise of personalized, experience-driven luxury. Attendees gained exclusive insights into how leading brands were redefining luxury for new generations while staying true to timeless values, positioning their companies for growth in an increasingly discerning global market.

Diligent Sessions

This year, in partnership with Diligent, LCDA hosted two live certification programs - “AI Ethics and Board Oversight and Human Capital, Compensation, and Culture”. By participating in a session, attendees completed 25% of the certification program.

Congratulations to all members who participated in the Diligent live certification programs. Good luck on completing the courses!

To view the full agenda and list of speakers, visit the 9th Annual Board Leaders Convening Program Book.

CELEBRATING LEADERSHIP: THE INAUGURAL LCDA PIONEER AWARD

The Latino Corporate Directors Association (LCDA) proudly celebrated the inaugural LCDA Pioneer Award at the Corporate Visionary Awards Dinner and Reception. This prestigious accolade was created to honor individuals whose lifetime commitment has transformed the landscape of Latino Board Excellence.

We were honored to present the first award to Ambassador Vilma Socorro Martínez, a trailblazing leader whose remarkable board service spans decades and multiple sectors. Her distinguished tenure includes serving on the boards of Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc., Sanwa Bank California, Fluor Corporation, Shell Oil Company, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation, and Bank of the West.

Ambassador Martínez’s legacy of leadership and dedication to advancing Latino representation in corporate boardrooms embodies the very essence of this award. Her achievements continue to inspire and pave the way for the next generation of Latino leaders, and we are proud to celebrate her extraordinary contributions.

“Never, ever travel alone. Work with LCDA, work with your board colleagues, to get others to join your ranks.”

Additional honorees recognized with the Pioneer Award

We are [honoring] for the first time, directors who were the first Latinos or Latinas to be elected to corporate boards, and they did it by their very hard work and exceptional professional careers. Besides being successful executives, they all had a strong commitment and dedication to lifting up the Latino Community and it’s still an attribute that LCDA uses to screen future members, and I am very proud of that.

Victor Arias, LCDA Board Member and CEO, Encantado Advisors

These individuals have not only made invaluable contributions to the companies they serve, but they have also opened doors for future generations, inspiring us all to strive for a more inclusive corporate world.