HACE Junior Board

Junior Board

JENNIFER VERA Chair

Jennifer Vera has been involved with HACE for the past 3 years.

She was elected Chair of the HACE Junior Board in May of 2011.

As an Aquarius, Jennifer feels she embodies the qualities native to

her sign such as: quirky, unconventional and cerebral. Jennifer is

passionate about social justice but understands that one of the

most fundamental aspects to freedom, respect and parity exists in

the economic health of communities. As such, she is committed to

HACE’s mission because she feels it advances the vision she holds

for her community. Jennifer currently serves as the Leadership

Development Programs Manager at Chicago United, an advocacy

organization that promotes multiracial leadership in business to

advance parity in economic opportunity. Jennifer has focused on

the economic development of minorities for half a decade in both

the entrepreneurial and private sector. Throughout her career she

has placed significant importance on empowering women, especially

Latina women, in business. Jennifer enjoys yoga, traveling off the

beaten path, nonfiction books, writing, taking risks with purpose a

nd a good pinot noir. She lives her life by many quotes from folk

songs including: “all of your failures are training grounds” and

“You’ve got your whole life to do something, and that’s

not very long.” She is currently pursuing her teaching

certification in vinyasa yoga.

STEVE MARCIAL Vice Chair

Southside of Chicago Capricorn

Involved with HACE for 12 years

HACE was my 1st exposure to a professional environment

through my internship. In 5 years, I see myself traveling

internationally to Hong Kong, São Paulo, Paris, London, & Tokyo

I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious - Albert Einstein

Ahí está el detalle – Cantinflas

I’m not an inventor. I’m an Improver – Larry David

If it be that way, then let it be…. – Dusty Rhodes

Inspiring People:

My parents, Walt Disney, Steve Jobs, Marc Anthony

Favorite Foods:

Tacos al Pastor, Giordano’s Deep Dish Pizza, Sushi

SOCORRO GARCIA Secretary

Socorro has been involved with HACE for the last three years.

Socorro currently serves as the Secretary for the HACE Junior

Board. Aside from the Junior Board she is involved with HACE

through the Mujeres de HACE. She completed the Mujeres de

HACE leadership program in the Fall of 2010 and now serves on

the Advisory Board as the Treasurer. She currently works as an

Office Manager for the National Association of Fire Equipment

Distributors. She manages the office’s staff, assists with the

organization’s day to day functions, plans and executes

conferences/expos throughout the United States. Aside from

work, Socorro is involved with other organizations which include

the American Diabetes Association Walk for a Cure and Gamma

Phi Omega International Sorority, Inc where she serves on the

National Board of Directors. Socorro Garcia is a proud alumna

from Indiana University. She is the first female in her family

to attend college. She is now eager to guiding her younger

cousins to attend college and follow their dreams just as her

brother did for her. Socorro is an Aries who enjoys archery,

traveling, and learning Portuguese during her spare time.

NELLY MONTOYA Treasurer

Nelly was born in Toluca, Mexico, is a University of Illinois,

Urbana-Champaign graduate and on the path towards

obtaining CPA certification. Currently she is an assurance

associate with McGladrey’s Financial Services Assurance

Group (McGladrey is the 5th largest CPA firm in Illinois

and in the country). Nelly serves as the HACE JB Treasurer

and is passionate about HACE’s commitment to building a

pipeline of Latino professionals by providing access to

invaluable resources and an extensive professional network.

When not crunching numbers, studying for the CPA, or

cooking amazing vegetarian meals for her meat-eating

family, Nelly runs. For fun! And, also, for the fancy running

shirts you get for entering races. Nelly is currently training

for the 4th marathon and her second solo Urbanatholon

(10 mile race with obstacles).

YAIR RODRIGUEZ Sembrando El Futuro Committee Chair

Yair is a Scorpio and double alumnus of UIC, where he obtained

his undergraduate degree in Communications, French, and

International Studies. Having been born in Mexico and

become accustomed to traveling, he took full advantage of

opportunities that would further his passion for languages and

culture by studying abroad in South Korea, Brazil, and France.

By the end of his undergraduate experience, he was a polyglot

and had visited over 20 different countries. Undeniably, these

experiences aid him in his work as academic coordinator for the

UIC CHANCE Program, where he helps the University with its missions

to recruit, retain, and graduate underrepresented students. Aside

from providing student support to diverse populations, Rodriguez also

does community outreach, event planning, program evaluation, media

development, strategic planning, and manages all virtual communication

efforts for the program. This bright and energetic professional is always

up for the challenge! Rodriguez recently finished his Masters in Public

Administration with a double concentration in Public Management and

Financial Management. He attributes his motivation and success thus

far to his family, which has supported his decisions in everything he

has chosen to pursue. In five years, Rodriguez sees himself working

in community relations and development for a large university or

corporate entity (while continuing to grow the media visualization

company he co-founded). Outside of work and school, Rodriguez

has several hobbies. In the summer he plays soccer, tennis,

cycles, and considers himself to be a “BBQ Engineer.” If you

can grill it, he is on it! In the winter you can catch Rodriguez

playing indoor soccer or snowboarding at nearby snow parks.

His love of travel did not end with his undergraduate career,

so when he finds the time, he likes visiting places where he

can hike or surf.

His favorite quote is, “Quien da resultados, no tiene porque dar explicaciones.”

LUCIEN DEROSENA Selection Committee Chair

VANESSA GALLARZO

Vanessa is a born and raised Chicago native. She grew up

on the south side where she first worked as a marketing

assistant and later received her Bachelors in Marketing

from St. Xavier University. Vanessa’s career adventures

after school have been a mix of loan originator, accounting,

event planning, and research until the entrepreneurial bug

bit her and she founded V8i Digital Marketing Agency. Fast

forward four years later and she is now delivering media and

brand management campaigns that drive action, response,

and results. V8i has developed ideas that have helped brands

breakthrough, connect and succeed. “You have one life, and

you spend the majority of it working, so make sure you’re doing

exactly what you want and what makes you happy.” She is one

of the first members on the HACE Jr. Board since 2011. She strongly

believes in HACE’s core values and is honored to be a contributing

part to such a well established, recognized, and growing organization

that has empowered so many Latinos. Along with the rest of the

HJB, they executed their first and very successful SEF event last

year and cannot wait to do it bigger and better with every year

to follow. This outgoing Aries loves to travel everywhere and

anywhere and can definitely work up an appetite, and boy

does she love to eat. So if you don’t catch her at a restaurant

enjoying a nice meal with a cold glass of champagne you might

catch her at the gym burning off those calories.

Jennifer Rios

Jennifer Rios graduated from Indiana University in 2011 and worked as a personal banker for a year before moving to Chicago in September 2012. Currently she is a Membership Administration Associate at SmithBucklin. Since moving to Chicago HACE has been a great help with her transition to the city. HACE has offered her many great opportunities such as helping her find her first position with the Chicago Children's Choir and inviting her to several networking events where she began to learn more about the junior board. Jennifer felt with her involvement on the board she can also help other Latinos like herself achieve their goals. As the first in her family to attend college Jennifer is passionate about helping Latinos achieve greatness.

During her free time Jennifer enjoys running, traveling (Morocco being her favorite place), dancing, and being spontaneous. Despite the cold weather and only being in Chicago for 7 months Jennifer loves Chicago and couldn't imagine being anywhere else. She is currently studying for the GMAT and hopes to begin a part-time MBA program in the near future.

Marisol Martinez

Marisol Martinez, a tax advisor and accountant at KOS, works to provide exceptionally detailed and concise tax preparations for small businesses in a variety of industries. With over 3 years of public accounting experience, she has expertise in an assortment of areas including tax, accounting and audits. Marisol spends her time assisting closely held businesses and corporations as well as individuals and families. She is also experienced with year-end planning, financial statement preparation, financial reporting, employee benefit audits, corporate taxation, and partnership taxation.

Marisol earned her Master’s in Accountancy from the University of Illinois – Urbana-Champaign. While on campus she was heavily involved with various non-profit organizations. Her most prominent position was with the National Hispanic Business Association (recently acquired by ALPFA). She served as the Vice President of the northern chapters. While serving in that capacity, Marisol was in charge of recruiting for current chapters, establishing new chapters, solidifying NHBA’s relation with corporate America to increase sponsorship and helping with the Annual Conference and the Annual Leadership Seminar. Marisol uses her leadership skills to help cement her foundation in Accounting Industry. She also keeps abreast of the emerging tax and accounting issues affecting her clients through in-depth study and continuing education.

Mercedes Burgos-Diaz

Mercedes Burgos possesses over Twenty years of experience in providing support to C+ level executives in the areas of: strategic Human Resources, project management, risk management, event planning and office management.

Mercedes carries a Master’s Degree in Human Resources Management and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration through Keller Graduate School of Management; along with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice through the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Mercedes’ previous industry experience ranges from Private and Not-For-Profit sectors along with Human Resources; Labor Relations/Law; Public Relations; Educational/Health services; insurance and Construction. She has also published a children’s book “Meenah, The Mystical Princess of Zantel,” back in October of 2011.

Sinhue Mendoza

Sinhue is new to the HACE Junior Board in 2013. He is currently the Communications Operations Coordinator at the United States Soccer Federation. He works with all U.S. National Soccer teams and specifically serves as the primary contact for communications at U.S. Soccer events relating to media and broadcasting while serving as a liaison to local organizers and venues to promote media coverage, distribute media information, and coordinate all game operations relating to working media and broadcasting. His work experience includes media relations, public relations, athlete representation marketing, multicultural marketing and political campaign management. Sinhue has a dual Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism and Political Science from Syracuse University and is proud to say that he is the first person in his extended to family to graduate college in this great country. He is a north side resident and is a suburban transplant from the great northern village of Mundelein where he lived his entire life until moving to go to college. While most folks in the sports industry would say it is cliché to say they love sports, Sinhue really does loves sports! He is a Chicago Cubs season ticket holder and when he isn’t traveling on a work trip you can find him watching sports or jogging along the beautiful Chicago lakefront.

ANGIE HENAO

BECKY LOPEZ