Excellence in Leadership 2025

Meet Jeanette Prenger, Founder & CEO of ECCO Select. Inspired by her 
cultural roots and commitment to mentoring, Jeanette has dedicated her 
career to opening doors for Latinas in STEM and building pathways for the 
next generation of leaders. We’re proud to celebrate her contributions during Hispanic Heritage Month

Meet  Jean Ibañez-Payne, Founder & CEO of TI Verbatim Consulting (TIVC). Jean Payne is a Navy veteran and survivor of Military Sexual Trauma who has transformed her personal experiences into a powerful mission of advocacy and change. She embodies resilience, courage, and unwavering determination in her fight against sexual abuse. She is the author of a best-selling memoir, Reclaim Your Worth: A Story of Abuse, Empowerment, and Building a Life on My Terms and Recupera Tu Valor, the Spanish edition of her memoir, and a children’s book, Jean and the Magnificent Mirror, continuing her commitment to healing and empowerment across generations. 

Meet Joanna Diaz Soffer, Board Member of The Latino Coalition. As a leader at T-Mobile, she champions digital empowerment and connectivity that advances communities including the Latino community and businesses. We’re proud to celebrate her contributions during Hispanic Heritage Month. 

Meet CiCi Rojas, Co-Founder & President of Tico Productions | Tico Sports. 
Driven by her passion for representation, she has expanded Spanish- 
language sports media while championing Hispanic entrepreneurship 
through her leadership with The Latino Coalition. We’re proud to celebrate her contributions during Hispanic Heritage Month.

Meet Jackie Krick, Board Member of The Latino Coalition. As CEO of ECU Communications, she’s at the forefront of marketing innovation and uses her platform to amplify Latino voices and boost civic engagement in communities. We’re proud to celebrate her contributions during Hispanic Heritage Month. 

Meet Celeste Carrasco, Board Member of The Latino Coalition. As an executive at AT&T, she is dedicated to expanding digital access and advocating for equity, ensuring Latino communities are connected and empowered for the future. We’re proud to celebrate her contributions during Hispanic Heritage Month.

Meet Alexandra Rojas-Meier, Board Meet Alexandra Rojas-Meier, Board Member of The Latino Coalition’s Latina Leadership Council. As Manager of Community Health Data Analytics for University Health, she leverages data to strengthen community relations and drive improvements in healthcare across Kansas City. We’re proud to celebrate her contributions during Hispanic Heritage Month.  

Meet Iris Gonzalez, Founder and President at Links-G Consulting, a boutique Public Affairs firm that offers high level public affairs strategies, facilitates strategic alliances, and provides branding, community, and media relations initiatives. Iris currently represents several independently owned TV networks.

Meet Deborah García-Gratacós, Founder & CEO of DEVAL LLC. Rooted in her Puerto Rican heritage and passion for financial empowerment, she has built a leading Hispanic woman-owned firm advancing bilingual loan servicing and expanding homeownership opportunities. We’re proud to honor her impact this Hispanic Heritage Month.