The Latino Chamber of Commerce of Dane County (LCC) has announced the appointment of Jessica Cavazos as its new executive director, which will be effective on Sept. 1. The LCC said that they recognize Cavazos as an experienced leader with passion, drive and commitment.
LCC President Mayra Medrano expressed the LCC Board of Director’s excitement about Cavazos’ hire.
“We are extremely pleased to have Jessica take the helm of the Latino Chamber of Commerce of Dane County,” Medrano said. “Her enthusiasm, experience, and vision will add a whole new dimension to the continued success of our Chamber.”
Cavazos was formerly the president of the 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.
Throughout her career in government, Cavazos has been deeply involved in organizations that build and support the Latino community. She has served as secretary and board member of the National Association of Hispanic Federal Executives Midwest Region and coordinator for the Central Region’s Federal Diversity Committee. She was the former State Director of Woman’s Activities for the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) in Wisconsin. She was a founding member of several women’s groups, including LULAC Latinas Council and Latinas En Acción (part of the Woman’s Fund), and was the Community Midwest finalist for Verizon’s Nueva Latina Estrella Award. In 2012, she was named UMOS Hispanic Woman of the Year for her volunteerism and community advocacy.
“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work for the LCC, since I believe it is an exciting time for the Chamber to build strategic partnerships and for it to continue to be a voice for businesses and the Latino community at large” said Cavazos. “Economic empowerment, as well as bridging people and businesses together, is my passion, and my desire as the Latino Chamber of Commerce executive director is to continue our mission of advancing business while having a positive impact on Dane County’s economic growth.”
