WASHINGTON, D.C. March 25, 2024 (Biz Republic) — The 2024 USHCC Legislative Summit (April 22 – 24, 2024, Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC 20004) is an annual convening in Washington D.C. where the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce develops advocacy priorities for America’s Hispanic business community. Since 1979, the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) has promoted the economic growth, development and interests of more than 4.7 million Hispanic-owned businesses that contribute over US$800 billion dollars to the U.S. economy every year.
In 2024, the Hispanic business community wields the economic power as a driving force in shaping the policy agenda of the United States. Recognizing the significant economic contributions of the Hispanic community, policymakers have a significant opportunity to prioritize initiatives aimed at equitably fostering entrepreneurship as a competitive advantage that will drive growth and innovation.
Having in place legislative measures that bridge equitable opportunities of access, resources, and financial opportunity for Hispanic-owned businesses yielding a $3.2T contribution to our country’s GDP and global economic position. This imperative reflects a broader commitment to our Hispanic chambers and business community by harnessing the full potential of a diverse and dynamic economic workforce, fostering innovation and resilience in the face of old and new global challenges.
The 2024 United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Legislative Summit connects America’s Hispanic Business leaders with government and elected officials, in a bipartisan effort, to influence the legislative priorities of our country. This Summit creates a platform for ideas that help our economy grow, provide opportunities for our businesses to scale, and move our country towards an equitable and prosperous future.
The Summit will culminate with the presentation of USHCC’s 2024 Policy Platform, outlining our policy priorities for the year. The advocacy and success of these policies will welcome your presence and participation and strategic bipartisan collaboration on April 22-24. Whether you are a private small-business owner, corporate executive, or chamber member, we sincerely hope you will join this dynamic conversation to have your voices of influence heard at our USHCC 2024 Legislative Summit.
The 2024 USHCC Legislative Summit Supplier Marketplace, formerly Business Matchmaking, will be taking place on Tuesday, April 23, 2024. The Supplier Marketplace provides a forum for Hispanic Business Enterprises to meet in-person and engage with supplier diversity and procurement officers from federal agencies and Fortune 500 companies.
SPEAKERS
Dean Aguillen has executed government relations campaigns for corporations and trade associations at OGR for more than a decade. Prior to OGR, Dean served as director of member services in the Office of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). During the Clinton Administration, Dean was chief of staff to the Assistant Secretary for Congressional Affairs in the Department of Labor. Dean was named one of the 40 most influential lobbyists under the age of 40 by Washingtonian Magazine, and one of the 100 most influential Hispanics in the United States by Hispanic Business Magazine. Dean served or continues to serve on the boards of the Hispanic Federation, the Latino Victory Fund, the Hispanic Advisory Counsel for the March of Dimes, and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute. Dean holds a master’s degree in public communications from American University and a bachelor’s degree in political science and communications from Stephen F. Austin State University.
Edgar Braham-Herrera is Managing Partner at AccessBridge International. Previously, he served as Economic Counselor at the USMCA Office at the Mexican Embassy to the U.S. where he managed Mexico’s public and private sector engagement and advocacy strategy, led the work on supply chain resiliency and investment attraction, and coordinated the strategies to prevent and resolve irritants of the U.S. – Mexico trade relationship for Mexico’s Ministry of Economy. He participated at the U.S. – Mexico High Level Economic Dialogue and led investment attraction efforts and trade missions to Mexico in key sectors such as semiconductors, ICT, and automotive. Edgar worked as senior consultant at SIE Consultores in Mexico City, a consulting firm specialized in economics, international trade, public policy and infrastructure. He also served as Executive Vicepresident of Fundación Colosio A.C. a national political party think tank. Edgar holds a B.S. in Economics from ITAM and an M.P.P. from University of Chicago.
Ramiro A. Cavazos is President and Chief Executive Officer of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC), America’s largest business advocacy organization for Hispanics. He is a trusted economic development expert and champion for bipartisan solutions that generate wealth to advance economic opportunity for the Hispanic community. Prior to his role at the USHCC, Ramiro was the President and Chief Executive Officer of the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (SAHCC), the nation’s first Hispanic Chamber of Commerce founded in 1929. During his time at the SAHCC, he fought for the passage of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), was recognized as a 5 Star Accredited chamber, and also led numerous annual trade missions to Spain, Israel, Mexico, Canada, Cuba and Italy.
Marvin B. Figueroa serves as the Chief of Staff to United States Senator Laphonza Butler [D- California]. Previously, Figueroa served as the Director of the Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs (IEA) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), where he provided counsel to Secretary Xavier Becerra to advance the Biden-Harris Administration’s health and human services priorities. His responsibilities extended to overseeing regional offices that engaged with state and local governments. Before his role at HHS, Figueroa served as Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Resources in the Administration of Governor Ralph S. Northam, 73rd Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, where he helped manage a consortium of 12 health and social services agencies that collectively touched the lives of close to one-in-four Virginians. During the 2020 Virginia General Assembly legislative session, he played a pivotal role in the passage of legislation that advanced healthcare, criminal justice, and other equity efforts through the Virginia General Assembly. In his previous service in the in the United States Senate, he was Senior Advisor to Senator Mark R. Warner [D- Virginia] where he advised the Senator on Medicare, Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act, and other health care issues. Figueroa is originally from La Ceiba, Honduras (a proud Garifuna). He earned his Master’s degree at Harvard and Bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University, and is an alum of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI), POSSE Foundation, and Presidential Leadership Scholars.
Angela Franco is the President & CEO of the DC Chamber of Commerce. Her commitment to support and advocate for Chamber members demonstrates passion and vision to grow the organization. Franco joined the DC Chamber of Commerce during civic unrest and a global pandemic and continues to move the organization forward. By working with its executive team and board of directors, Franco creates programs and services that position the Chamber as a valuable resource and leading advocate for businesses throughout DC. Franco is an experienced business leader who has strengthened and revitalized organizations, including the DC Health Benefit Exchange Authority and the Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Before relocating to the US, Franco held management positions in Bogotá, Colombia. Franco has received many prestigious honors. Most recently, she was recognized with the 2023 and 2022 Washington Business Journal’s Power 100 list. In addition, she is a Board Member at Large for the United Way of the National Capital Area, Board Member of the Cherry Blossom Festival, DC Policy Center and Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, and an appointee to the DC Workforce Investment Council (by the DC Mayor).Franco is a graduate of Leadership Montgomery and Leadership Greater Washington, she holds a Master of Science degree in Finance and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration. She is also a Certified Life Coach and a John Maxwell certified trainer, coach and speaker.
Susana Marino is an accomplished entrepreneur and visionary leader, serving as the esteemed founder and current President and CEO of the Northern Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (NOVAHCC). She is first-generation Latina and immigrant from Venezuela, South America. Susana brings a wealth of diverse experiences and insights to her role in the private sector. Her strategic direction has been instrumental in guiding the chamber’s activities overseeing all organizational operations and fostering the growth and prosperity of both, large and small businesses in the Washington Metropolitan Region. Driven by her commitment to enhancing access to diversity supplier opportunities for Latinos and multi-ethnic businesses, Northern Virginia Hispanic Chamber has evolved into a prominent international business and trade association, representing entrepreneurs from various countries, and industries. The chamber’s primary focus revolves around delivering tangible, bottom-line results through impactful B2B/B2G matchmaking, creating avenues for economic growth for small businesses via contracting opportunities with both private and public sectors, facilitating access to capital, providing revenue accelerator trainings, foster international market expansion for the Mid-Atlantic region, and promoting career advancement opportunities.
Cory Parker is a native of Bowling Green, VA. He grew up in church singing gospel. He auditioned for the Orange County High School of the Performing Arts in Southern California winning his seat at the newly established school by performing Charlotte Church’s version of the classical song “Pie Jesu” in falsetto. It was here where he honed his theatrical training. After graduating high school, Cory auditioned for the U.S. Navy Band in Norfolk, VA. Unfortunately, he was denied 3 times but, would remain persistent. He decided to join the Navy ship fleet as an Aviation Boatswain’s Mate Fuels technician assigned to the carrier USS Kitty Hawk 7th fleet Yokosuka, Japan for 3 and a half years. After 2 years in Japan teaching himself to play piano off hours at the base chapel, and perfecting his sight reading, Cory auditioned at the 7th fleet band again and won the audition and was sent to musician “A” school, then was sent to his first assignment to Navy Band New Orleans. After 3 years in New Orleans, Cory auditioned for U.S. Navy Band Cruisers Washington, D.C. The Navy’s premier band that performs regularly at the White House for POTUS, VPOTUS, foreign president’s, dignataries, ambassadors, high ranking military brass, major sporting arenas, television, public concerts and popular music festivals across the nation.
Ivelisse Porroa-García is a recognized 2023 Top Lobbyist by The Hill. She is a Senior Vice President at Crossroads Strategies and the Vice President of the Hispanic Lobbyists Association. At Crossroads, she represents clients in financial services, health care, and tech/telecom fields. During her Capitol Hill career, she worked for Senator Barbara Boxer (CA) and Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-25), who ultimately appointed Ivelisse as Policy Director of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. During her six-year tenure under Congressman Ruiz, Ivelisse helped secure passage of dozens of pieces of legislation and advised him on appropriations, homeland security, judiciary, and the NDAA. She was also the lead staffer for two of his subcommittee assignments on the House Energy and Commerce Committee and managed his bipartisan Congressional Burn Pits Caucus. As Policy Director of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, she worked with the Black Caucus and the Asian Pacific American Caucus to shape numerous policy priorities. Ivelisse also served as the President of the Congressional Hispanic Staff Association. Before joining Crossroads, Ivelisse consulted for a lobbying firm, where she represented Fortune 500 multinational corporations. She is also an Advisory Board Member of the veteran non-profit Burn Pits 360. A native Spanish-speaker, Ivelisse was born and raised in Lima, Peru, where she studied Law at Universidad de Lima. Ivelisse holds a BA in Political Science from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Jackie Puente is the Executive Director for External Affairs at Comcast Corporation, responsible for national partnerships with diverse stakeholders on policy issues that span media, technology, and telecommunications. Throughout her career, Jackie has served as a translator between public, private, and nonprofit entities, and an advocate to empower communities to leverage media, technology, and digital literacy for economic growth. Prior to joining Comcast, Jackie advised Fortune 100 company clients on a range of technology, telecommunications, tax, and utilities related issues. Jackie has a strong reputation for building coalitions on high profile and complex issues combining her passion for media strategy communications, business development, and regulatory affairs at the state, national, and local levels. Jackie serves as an advisor and board member for many national advocacy and philanthropic organizations including the US Hispanic Leadership Institute, the George Washington University’s Cisneros Hispanic Leadership Institute, as well as the American Association of People with Disabilities Technology Forum.
Nicole Quiroga, a native of Washington D.C., is the President and CEO of the Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. In this position, Ms. Quiroga provides strategic direction, vision, and management for the programs and personnel of the Chamber in order to promote and strengthen the economic growth and development of the region’s Hispanic business community. Ms. Quiroga’s expertise in strategic planning, program management, nonprofit operations, finance and fundraising plays a vital role in fostering the continued success of GWHCC members, partners and sponsors. Her deep understanding of Hispanic market trends and multi-cultural communication allows her to assist regional organizations develop business models that invest in culturally sensitive branding and outreach efforts that effectively serve and connect to the Hispanic super-consumer. She is deeply passionate about educating and empowering Washington DC’s Latino community and is continuosly forging strategic partnerships with community organizations to ensure that Hispanic families get access to the critical information and resources they need. Ms. Quiroga is frequently invited to speak on topics such as: understanding and harnessing the power of Hispanics, developing culturally relevant outreach campaigns and attracting and retaining Hispanic professionals.
Nelson Reyneri serves as the Director of Strategic Alliances and Policy for NRG. Previously, he served as Principal in Point B’s Environmental, Social and Governance practice. Point B is a consulting company dedicated to helping organizations with critical initiatives in the areas of customer engagement, growth investments, workforce experience and operations excellence. In this role he leads and advises client engagements within the ESG industry across markets and supports the development of Point B’s people as a key leader in their ESG practice. Nelson has over two decades of leadership experience in the energy sector, serving as part of the leadership team that scaled Liberty Power from a startup to becoming one of the largest minority owned business in the country. Nelson held numerous leadership roles during his tenure at Liberty Power, most recently as Senior Vice President for Sales and External Affairs. In this role, he led the company’s strategy for developing structured solutions to support corporations’ energy and sustainability goals. This resulted in Liberty Power growing from serving less than a dozen Fortune 500 companies to over 100 over the past decade.
