Jessica Cavazos took the helm at the Latino Chamber of Commerce of Dane County just three months ago. She was formerly the president of the Milwaukee-based Eleva Group, an organization whose mission was to create social programs, help non-profits with governance issues and assist for-profit and non-profit entities in implementing initiatives aimed at promoting actions that are both economically and socially beneficial. In addition to her work with the Eleva Group, Cavazos has extensive experience in government relations, policy, community engagement and business development. She also worked as a Congressional Liaison for eight years in the office of Congresswoman Gwen Moore.
Rank your Top 5 MCs.
Notorious B.I.G.
Rakim
Missy Elliot
Snoop
Lauyrn Hill
Which motivates you more: doubters or supporters? Of course, I love a challenge, love to prove the doubters wrong!
What does it mean to be a Latina in Madison? It means to be strong, proud and always seeking growth, to be educated, to love advocating for other Latinos and to be progressive in Spanglish, yet holding closely traditions that celebrate our rich roots!
What three leaders in Madison under 50 have impressed you the most?
- Karen Menéndez Coller’s leadership style
- The visionary Greg St. Fort
- Idealism of Zach Brandon
What’s the biggest stumbling block in Madison to turning the corner on our racial disparities? In order to turn the corner on racial disparities we must move forward as a cohesive mass to address issues that impact communities of color, starting with Latinos and Blacks in Madison. Instead of fighting for a small piece of the piece of the “funding” pie, we need figure out how to be at the table as stakeholders and better negotiate a bigger stake in creating impact.
What are your top three priorities at this point in your life?
- Creating a prosperous life for my children and me
- Through my career, be a truly impactful being a change agent
- Building Wealth becoming financially secure
On your Facebook page it says you are “lover of life, socially conscious, open-minded, passionate, and a joyful mommy.” How do those traits help you in your leadership style? To be a leader you need to be in tune with your human qualities. For me, loving life allows me to value each day, and give it my all. Being open-minded and socially conscious connects me better to issues without being self-serving while understanding the problems of others. Being passionate means to genuinely believe in what you espouse and touch people based on your convictions. Finally my purest joy is motherhood, making this world a better and fair place for them and everyone is my purpose.
What do you want the Madison community to know about you as a person? I feel truly blessed to be here in Madison and be part of such a dynamic community and organization. I am excited to create meaningful partnerships and collaborations to address issues that are impactful. I prefer to believe that we are all beautifully interconnected, sharing more similarities than differences. Through the Latino Chamber I’m devoted to making an impact and creating a direct correlation between our disparities and the power that economic development can make in creating thriving communities.
Name three things you want to accomplish in 2017 at the Latino Chamber of Commerce. Create a stellar Incubator Model and kick off the Latino Chamber’s “Dane County Emerging New Business Center.” This incubator that will create and grow new start-ups by providing them with necessary dual language support and financial and technical services.
Host the most successful and fun Gala of 2017, coming up on Feb. 25, 2017
Create a successful plan of action to secure a home for the chamber in 2018, with a training center and state of the art chamber headquarters.
Is there anyone Madison who you want to meet with that you haven’t met with yet? If so, who are they? There are so many, but one person I’d love to connect with is Judith Faulkner.
Why is supporting Latino businesses important for the Madison economy? Latino-owned small businesses are the fastest growing segment of small businesses. Many Latino families from all kinds of backgrounds believe that the key to a family’s financial upward mobility is through business ownership. Investing in supporting entrepreneurship and business development at all levels in Madison will help raise economic prosperity, income levels and quality of life for all.
What are your top three movies of all time and why? Slumdog Millionaire. Love underdog movies where the least expected person makes it on top, sometimes I feel this way.
Salt. I guess I love movies where women are intensely powerful, intelligent and invincible, brings out my inner Super-shero confidence.
Like Water for Chocolate. One of my all time favorites that shows you the beauty of Mexican traditions and to respect superstitions which even as Americanize as second generation Latinos are very Proud of and still believe in… I love Latino tradition.
