Hispanic and Latino individuals comprise one of the largest demographics in the United States. The U.S. Census Bureau indicates that, as of 2020, there were more than 60 million people identifying as Hispanic or Latino living in the country.
National Hispanic Heritage Month, in fact, is being observed this year through Sunday, Oct. 15, having started on Friday, Sept. 15. With such a high percentage of individuals belonging to the Hispanic and Latino community, it should come as no surprise just how influential the group can be. In addition to achievements in sports, music, film, medicine, and more, Hispanics and Latinos have made great strides in the business sector. In fact, many notable people are executives in major corporations or are innovating by coming up with new products and business concepts. Consider these influential Hispanic business professionals.
Lymaris Albors: Albors is the CEO of the Acacia Network, a nonprofit housing, health and social services company. Under Albors’ leadership, the company opened the Santaella Gardens development in the Bronx, helping low-income individuals.
Anthony Jimenez, Jr: Jimenez, Jr. is the founder, chairman and CEO of MicroTech, one of the largest Hispanic-owned IT Integrators in the United States. Under Jimenez, Jr.’s leadership, the company has grown from a small, home-based startup to a half billion-dollar company.
Betro Perez: Anyone who has taken a Zumba Fitness class at a local gym can thank Perez. As an aerobics instructor in Colombia, Perez once forgot his usual exercise routine, so he improvised by adding dance moves to the program. That on-the-fly thinking helped shape a fitness empire that now spans the globe.
Marilu Galvez: Galvez is the first Latina to fill the role of president and general manager of the WABC-TV network in New York. Through her position, Galvez has worked to increase the Hispanic American community’s visibility by leading broadcast productions of live events and ensuring representation through content creation.
Jose Perez: As the president and CEO of Hispanics in Energy, Perez leads a nonprofit that strives to increase Hispanic inclusion in America’s energy industry. He is both a leader and an advocate.
Maria Contreras-Sweet: In addition to being administrator of the Small Business Administration, Contreras-Sweet is founder of ProAmerica, California’s first Latino-formed commercial bank in more than 35 years. She also founded Contreras-Sweet Enterprises, a marketing and research firm.
Jordi Munoz: Munoz is the founder of 3D Robotics, a company that has generated millions in revenue. The company started by chance when Munoz hacked the sensors on the controller of his Nintendo Wii and wrote code to use it to control a drone he built at home.
Jeanette Prenger: Prenger is the founder, CEO and president of ECCO Select, a leading provider of technology services and consulting for government agencies and Fortune 1000 companies. ECCO Select has consistently been listed as one of the top 500 Hispanic businesses in the United States.
