Excellence in Leadership 2025

This Hispanic Heritage Month, we celebrate Excellence in Leadership 2025—honoring Latina women who are breaking barriers, driving innovation, and inspiring the next generation of leaders.

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.

Meet Cristina Antelo, Esq., powerhouse CEO of Ferox Strategies and a leading Democratic strategist. From Wall Street to K Street, she’s known for her sharp strategy, fearless advocacy, and relentless drive, representing Fortune 500 clients across key industries. Named a Washingtonian “Power Player” and one of D.C.’s Most Influential 40 Under 40, Cristina also serves as Vice-Chair of CHCI, sits on multiple national boards, and champions nutrition education through Common Threads. We’re proud to celebrate her contributions during Hispanic Heritage Month.
Meet Amy Hinojosa. President and CEO of MANA, the largest and oldest Latina membership organization in the U.S., she drives operations, programs, and national advocacy. Since 2007, Amy has championed initiatives empowering Latina women and girls—like the MANA Hermanitas® mentoring program—and mobilized Hispanic communities on issues from financial literacy to immigration reform. She serves on multiple boards and has received numerous leadership and impact awards. We’re proud to celebrate her contributions during Hispanic Heritage Month.
Meet Diana Fernandez, Director of Events & Partnerships at Friends of the American Latino Museum, a nonprofit dedicated to establishing the National Museum of the American Latino on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Since the passage of the National Museum of the American Latino Act in 2020, Diana has played a key role in elevating the museum’s mission and ensuring Latino stories and contributions are showcased and celebrated across the nation. In 2023, she led the organization’s first international delegation to Spain, engaging business leaders, government officials, and cultural institutions to highlight Latino heritage and global connections. A proud Colombian and Florida International University graduate, Diana brings her passion for storytelling, cultural heritage, and community impact to every project she leads.

Meet Anita Grace — Business Development Consultant with the National Association of Hispanic Publications (NAHP). Anita leads Business Development and Partnerships for NAHP, representing over 170 multicultural publishers across the nation. With a passion for elevating diverse voices, she works to strengthen the reach and impact of Hispanic media in communities everywhere. As CEO of GRACE Multicultural, Anita helps major brands authentically connect with Hispanic audiences through high-impact campaigns that celebrate culture, voice, and inclusion. Her work continues to champion representation and meaningful storytelling in media.

As Hispanic Heritage Month comes to an end, we are filled with gratitude to everyone who shared their stories, traditions, and powerful voices throughout our Excellence in Leadership Spotlight Series. From leadership and culture to perseverance and passion, the remarkable Latina leaders featured reminded us that our identity is diverse, dynamic, and deeply rooted in community. We’re grateful to all the inspiring women highlighted this month and beyond for serving as role models whose vision, dedication, and impact continue to pave the way for future generations. The celebration continues as we uplift one another, honor our heritage, and lead with orgullo every day.