Mission Matters Business Podcast with Adam Torres

On Mission Matters, ⁠Adam Torres⁠ talks with ⁠Emily Musil⁠, Managing Director of Environmental & Social Innovation, Milken Institute, about the Milken–Motsepe Prize and its 2025 focus on AI in manufacturing. Emily explains the $2M award, wraparound support, and why this cycle targets Series A+ companies operating in Africa for 2+ years. She shares how Milken’s 12,000+ entrepreneur community is exp...

In this episode of Mission Matters, host Adam Torres interviews Edwin Acevedo, 2025 National President-Elect of NAHREP. Edwin shares his powerful story of leaving a career as a Boeing software engineer to pursue real estate in the midst of the 2008 market crash. With nearly two decades of experience, he now leads multiple businesses and prepares to take on a national leadership role at NAHREP. His...

In this Mission Matters episode, Adam Torres interviews Claudia Maldonado, Early Learning Specialist and Author at La Cachi Publishing House. Claudia shares how her 20+ years in early education inspired her to write bilingual and trilingual children’s books, including Mama Works Very Hard (an award-winning family story), Papa Knows Best (co-authored with her husband), and Around the Globe with Man...

In this episode of Mission Matters, host Adam Torres sits down with Anna Davila, VP of Business Development for Strategic Markets, to discuss the power of representation and resilience. Recorded live at the Latina 2 event in Downtown LA, Anna shares her inspiring story of becoming the first U.S. citizen and college graduate in her family—and how that journey fuels her mission to empower Hispanic c...

In this episode of Mission Matters, Adam Torres interviews Jesenia Chavez, writer, poet, and public school teacher, on how her poetry and essays amplify underrepresented voices. Jesenia discusses the role of storytelling in bridging generations, the inspiration she draws from family and students, and her mission to empower communities through the written word. Follow Adam on Instagram at https://w...

In this episode of Mission Matters, Adam Torres interviews Gaby Gonzalez, President of NAHREP Los Angeles, on her journey to leadership and passion for advancing Latino homeownership. Gaby shares NAHREP’s mission of education, empowerment, and building generational wealth, highlighting the impact of community-driven events like Latinatude. Follow Adam on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/aska...

In this Mission Matters episode, Adam Torres interviews Terrian Barnes, Founder of Fe-smart LLC. Terrian shares her mission to celebrate women leaders and dismantle the idea that women need to be “fixed” to fit into corporate cultures. She highlights insights from the McKinsey Women in the Workplace 2024 report, explains why inclusive leadership drives business success, and offers practical advice...

In this Mission Matters episode, Adam Torres interviews Jesse P. Gilmore, Founder of Niche in Control. Jesse explains why most agency bottlenecks start with the founder, not demand, and walks through his Leverage for Growth framework. He shares a practical time audit plus a 4-step method—Eliminate, Automate, Delegate, Time-block—to free capacity, build systems, and scale from operator to visionary...

In this Mission Matters episode, Adam Torres interviews Niko De Leon, Realtor at Keller Williams Elite and Founder of Niko LA Leasing. Niko shares how he transitioned from property management to entrepreneurship, creating a niche that connects multifamily properties with the real estate industry. He also discusses partnerships with NAHREP, the importance of focus in business, and his mission to si...

In this Mission Matters episode, Adam Torres interviews Michelle Bancewicz, Captain of FV NO LIMITS. Michelle shares her journey from childhood fishing trips to leading one of the only all-female bluefin tuna crews in the Northeast. She discusses her viral 600-pound catch, breaking barriers in a male-dominated industry, and her mission to inspire others through fishing charters and fearless leader...

In this episode of Mission Matters, ⁠Adam Torres⁠ interviews ⁠Stacy Richter⁠, CEO of Live Lingua, about his mission of people, purpose, and profit. Stacy explains how Live Lingua’s full stack approach—combining technology, live tutors, and cultural immersion—empowers individuals and organizations to communicate authentically and thrive in today’s global economy. Follow Adam on Instagram at ⁠https:...

In this episode of Mission Matters, Adam Torres interviews Ann Albrecht, Founder & CEO of Ann Albrecht Consulting, on how her firm delivers fractional executive assistant services to leaders in biotech, venture capital, and beyond. Ann discusses her mission to provide flexible, people-focused support while mentoring the next generation of executive assistants. Follow Adam on Instagram at https://w...

In this Mission Matters episode, Adam Torres interviews Jessica Parker, President of Wise Bites LLC. Jessica explains how her passion for learning and research led her to focus on AI and cybersecurity. She reveals why 9 out of 10 U.S. organizations face cyberattack risks, and offers practical steps business leaders can take to secure their systems. Her mission is to translate complex ideas into ac...

In this Mission Matters episode, ⁠Adam Torres⁠ interviews ⁠Melissa Velasquez⁠, Private Mortgage Banker at Wells Fargo Bank. Melissa reflects on her 20+ year career in financial services, from wealth management to mortgages, and why mentorship, networking, and adaptability are critical for success. Her mission is to empower clients with knowledge and strategies that make financial decisions and hom...

In this Mission Matters episode, ⁠Adam Torres⁠ interviews ⁠Jose Tejada⁠, VP of Mortgage Lending at Rate, Inc. and host of the Hispanic Wealth Matters podcast. Jose reflects on his leadership at NAHREP Los Angeles, the growth of Latino-focused initiatives like LatinaTu, and how authentic financial solutions — including fully Spanish mortgage lending — are creating real generational impact. Follow A...

In this Mission Matters episode, Adam Torres interviews Diana Valencia, CEO of HTBC Construction. Diana shares her journey from humble beginnings selling DVDs and clothing to building successful businesses in food, real estate, and construction. She highlights the importance of financial education, credit, and mentorship in helping the Latino community achieve independence and generational wealth....

In this Mission Matters episode, Adam Torres interviews Olivia Chavez, National Board Director at NAHREP. Olivia discusses her journey from chapter president to national leadership, her passion for educating first-time buyers, and how real estate can be a tool for generational wealth and community impact. Follow Adam on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/askadamtorres/ for up to date informati...

In this Mission Matters episode, Adam Torres interviews Dr. Yasmin Davidds, Founder & CEO of the Dr. Yasmin Davidds Leadership Institute and the Multicultural Executive Leadership Foundation. Yasmin discusses her evolution as an author and leader, why conviction outweighs fear when sharing your truth, and how her programs are preparing multicultural leaders to lead with grace and impact. Follow Ad...

In this Mission Matters episode, Adam Torres interviews Dr. Vanessa Montañez, Head of Community Lending at City National Bank. Vanessa shares her passion for sustainable Latino homeownership, her advocacy for higher education, and her mission to close the wealth gap through lending programs like Ladder Up. She also reflects on her leadership role at NAHREP and why empowering communities starts wit...

In this Mission Matters episode, Adam Torres interviews Scott Burgmeyer, Co-Founder & CEO of BecomeMore Group. Scott shares insights from 30+ years of leadership development, emphasizing the balance between people and business performance. From emotional intelligence to self-awareness, Scott explains how leaders can “become more” by continuously learning, building strong relationships, and asking...

In this Mission Matters episode, Adam Torres interviews James Saliba, CEO & Principal Consultant of James Saliba, Inc. and author of the upcoming book Lead Like a CEO. James discusses how leaders at any level can adopt a CEO mindset, use his LEAD framework, and establish rhythms that drive clarity, culture, and sustainable success. Follow Adam on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/askadamtorre...

In this Mission Matters episode, Adam Torres interviews Dr. Carmen Bell-Ross, CEO & Founder of SP Grace. Dr. Carmen shares how her College Smarter Method helps students authentically craft their stories, reduce stress, and gain admission into the right schools. Inspired by her daughter Sierra’s journey—now a Harvard neuroscience major—the method equips families to navigate education and career pat...

In this episode of the Mission Matters Podcast, host Adam Torres interviews Kyle Whitehill, CEO of Avanti Communications, about the power of satellite connectivity in reaching underserved communities. Kyle explains how Avanti is helping bridge the digital divide, empowering rural populations with education, healthcare, and economic opportunities through reliable internet access. Follow Adam on Ins...

In this Mission Matters episode,⁠ Adam Torres⁠ interviews ⁠RJ Williams⁠, Founder & CEO of Young Hollywood. RJ shares how he built Young Hollywood as a digital-first media brand, why creators now rival studios in influence, and how AI is transforming content discovery and production. He explains why he sees today as the most exciting time in media since the creation of television. This interview is...

In this Mission Matters episode, ⁠Adam Torres⁠ interviews ⁠Adam O’Connor⁠, Chief Commercial Officer at Gear Inc. Adam shares his journey from hospitality to leading global sales and operations, managing teams across 24 offices and 75 languages. He explains how Gear Inc helps companies scale with global talent, the importance of servant leadership, and why strong processes—not just AI—unlock sustai...