The Latino Majority

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 Latino...

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 Huert...

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 i n the marketing world. His dedication to authenticity and cultural resonance has pro...

In every episode of The Latino Majority, we ask our guests a significant question: "If you were to author the story of Latinos in America today, what would be the theme and title?" Over fifty episodes later, we've gathered profound reflections from a diverse array of voices. This special compilation highlights some of the most impactful moments, showcasing the resilience, creativity, and dynamism...

For Stacie de Armas, a trailblazer in media and cultural representation, her passion for exploring the intricate layers of Latino identity in modern America is unmistakable.    As a first-generation Cubana, Stacie brings a wealth of multicultural insights to her work as the Senior Vice President of Diverse Intelligence & Initiatives at Nielsen.    Stacie's work has influenced major brands and medi...

For José Tavarez, leadership isn't just about climbing the corporate ladder; it's about challenging the status quo and advocating for oneself in the face of uncertainty. Raised in a family where hard work and respect were foundational, Tavarez's career path wasn't linear but marked by pivotal moments of determination and perseverance. One such moment came during the merger of Bank of America and M...

50th EPISODE: For Bobby Herrera, storytelling  isn't just an expression – it's a movement, mobilizing hearts and minds with each powerful chapter of the Latino narrative.   Born to immigrant parents in New Mexico, Herrera's upbringing instilled in him the power of storytelling, shaping his perspective on leadership and community. Today, as the President and CEO of Populus Group and an esteemed   a...

With grace and vision guiding her, Megan Hogan has been a voice for the voiceless. From her roots in pro bono clinics to her current role as Global Head of Talent and Chief Diversity officer at Goldman Sachs as well as her volunteer work, she has championed the causes of countless individuals in their journey to find stability and community. Our host, Pedro Guerrero, discovers the foundation of Me...

For Luis Miranda, Jr., transitioning from his Puerto Rican roots to his current position as a prominent figure in American politics and culture has been extraordinary. With a background of resilience and determination, Luis has become a trailblazer in both the public and private sectors. As a political strategist, philanthropist, and author, he has dedicated his life to advocating for Latino voice...

For Oscar Munoz, leadership is more than simply steering companies to success. To him, it's about connecting with people on a human level. As the former CEO and chairman of United Airlines, Oscar's leadership prioritized building trust and inclusivity. His genuine concern for others stem from his experiences, making him a relatable and inspiring figure in the corporate world. Our host, Pedro Guerr...

From the youngest elected mayor to CEO of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, Fidel Vargas is dedicated to educational access and community empowerment. As a former recipient of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund turned CEO of the HSF, Fidel's tireless efforts have reshaped the landscape of scholarship programs and catalyzed opportunities for countless young Latino scholars nationwide. Through strategic adv...

For Julie Chavez Rodriguez, becoming a dynamic leader in today's America could be her destiny as the granddaughter of civil rights icon Cesar Chavez. From her roots in the farmworker movement, Julie has emerged as a pivotal member of President Biden's re-election campaign and stands among one of the highest-ranking Latinas in the White House. It was her upbringing, Julie says, that instilled dedic...

For Sandra Velasquez, it's always been about self-worth and self-acceptance. Show up as yourself and be bold about it. In a world that undermines minorities, Sandra aspires to take center stage and make a meaningful impact, not just for herself but also for the Latino community. From her early days as a performer leading sold-out shows to her current role as the founder of the groundbreaking beaut...

When Carlos Huereca immigrated to El Paso at the age of 13, he had no choice but to get comfortable with the uncomfortable. His parents showed him how. It was at the dinner table where they often made tough decisions about their furniture business. Carlos had a front row seat to conversations about financial management and talent recruitment. It was during that time when he learned to heed the wor...

For Marta Tellado, memories of the marketplace she used to frequent in Havana, Cuba aren't just memories — they're a living paradigm for a better world. They're a model of an ecosystem where people help each other. And they're a never-ending source of drive, passion, and perseverance to advocate for others today. From serving as a translator for the older generation, to being a champion for safety...

The David Morales story is the story of the Morales family. That resonates in no place greater than his recent autobiography, American Familia . In it, Morales digs into his Puerto Rican heritage—not only as a way to emphasize the legacy of his family's journey to America but to also inspire others within the Latino community to tell their own stories. A devout student of all things Puerto Rico, M...

Lou Nieto grew up fascinated by strategy. A kid once destined for law school, he devoured battle maneuvers from historic wars and studied chess—a game he still believes doubles as a potent metaphor for life. Nieto's interest in strategy translated seamlessly to his leadership roles in corporate America, in which he held high-ranking positions with Kraft, Dean, and ConAgra Foods. It was in business...

Raquel González doesn't play witness to the changing Latino narrative, she helps author it. With a career spanning decades at Bank of America, González is not only a leading example of what can be achieved through longevity and commitment to a revered financial institution, she actively invests in Latino entrepreneurs to help give them their own clear vision of success. As market president for Ban...

For Director Ángel Manuel Soto, Blue Beetle is for his younger self. As a kid growing up in Puerto Rico, Soto didn't have the opportunity to see an Indiana Jones that looked like him—to see Latinos in heroic spaces of power on the big screen. Through Blue Beetle he set out to change that. His recent blockbuster not only highlights the truth that the Latino community is no monolith—and that it feat...

"Latinos don't play hockey." It's a phrase that Xavier Gutierrez has heard often since becoming the first Latino to lead an NHL team. As president and CEO of the Arizona Coyotes, Gutierrez sees the massive opportunity in welcoming Latinos to the hockey rink. It's a vision he shares with friend and team owner Alex Meruelo, the first Latino owner in the NHL. With the Coyotes expanding its presence a...

The story of Siete Family Foods starts with a challenge: how to better manage an autoimmune disease through dietary transformation while staying connected to your culture. Miguel Garza watched his sister Veronica find a grain-free solution for tortillas by using almond flour, which she would then sell to family and friends in Laredo, Texas. Fresh out of law school and inspired by the entrepreneuri...

For Orlando Bravo, the story always starts in Puerto Rico. Even today, as the billionaire founder and managing partner of private equity investment firm Thoma Bravo, he recognizes that where he came from will forever influence where he is.  Bravo attributes his meteoric rise in the early 2000s—when he made a name for himself in software acquisitions—to his upbringing in Puerto Rico. His unique jou...

For most ten-year-olds, managing a grocery store would be daunting. For Teresa Barreira, it was a learning experience. Growing up in a small village where her parents ran three businesses, Barreira discovered what it meant to be entrepreneurial and scrappy. That background—in combination with an unflinching pride in her heritage—informs her today as a marketing and thought leader who sits as Globa...

Guillermo Diaz isn't shy about emphasizing the impact of his time in the Navy. It's not only where he developed his competence in technology but where he began to truly understand the power in building relationships—the power in fostering a sense of community. As chairman of the Hispanic IT Executive Council and former CIO of Cisco Systems, Diaz can provide plenty of proof of his brilliance in tec...

Camille Vasquez didn't anticipate her fame. Raised by a Cuban mother and Colombian father who met while learning to speak English at a school in Los Angeles, Camille and her sister were given a simple directive early on: focus on your education. And so they did. According to Vasquez, that resulted in one of two options: doctor or lawyer. She chose the latter—her sister the former—and started down...