This is the second of a five-part series highlighting the Most Influential Latino Leaders in Wisconsin. Part One is here. For previous lists, visit Madison365.org/MostInfluential.
Dr. Brandon Hill
Dr. Brandon Hill is CEO of Vivent Health, formerly the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin, is a multi-state operation serving more than 13,000 patients in four states. He was named CEO in September 2023 after a year as interim. Previously, he served as the Executive Director of Howard Brown Health’s Center for Education, Research, and Advocacy in Chicago, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Plains in Kansas City and Executive Director of the University of Chicago’s adolescent sexual and reproductive health research center, Ci3. He is a graduate of Indiana University, earning a doctorate in gender studies with a concentration in behavioral science and psychology. He is a member of the board of the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality (SSSS) and Kinsey Institute International Advisory Council.
Guillermo Tellez-Giron
Guillermo Tellez-Giron is lead mechanical engineer at Sierra Nevada Corporation, joining the company when it acquired Madison-based Orbital Technologies in 2007. He’s spent nearly 20 years designing equipment and systems to grow plants in space. His work on nine different projects has made its way onto NASA space shuttles and the International Space Station. In 2017, Tellez, along with colleague Matt DeMars, was awarded the Exceptional Public Achievement medal by NASA at Cape Kennedy for developing the largest-ever habitat to grow plants in space, a project that took five years. He earned a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Mexico and a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin.
Dr. Regina Flores
Dr. Regina Flores is director of procurement for Milwaukee County, where she oversees all of the county’s purchasing operations by managing the sourcing, selection, and negotiation of goods and services to ensure cost-effectiveness and compliance with regulations and policies. She’s held that role for four years, and joined the county staff after a decade at Milwaukee Public Schools, where she began as supplier diversity coordinator before being promoted to manager of contract compliance services. She earned an MBA from Concordia University-Wisconsin and a PhD in leadership for the advancement of learning and service. She has also earned certifications from the SMU Cox School of Business Rising Latino Leaders Program, Future Milwaukee Community Leadership Program at Marquette, and UW-Milwaukee’s Latino Nonprofit Leadership Program.
Jesus González
Jesus González is general counsel for the Americas and Global Market Access at Rockwell Automation. Prior to stepping up to that role in 2022, he served as Rockwell’s first-ever Latin America General Counsel for six years before relocating to the United States in 2014 and served as assistant general counsel for Rockwell’s Architecture & Software and Lifecycle segments. Before joining Rockwell, Gonzalez served as legal counsel for GE and Santamarina y Steta, one of Mexico’s largest full-service law firms. He serves on the boards of United Community Center and Alzheimer’s Association Wisconsin Chapter, and has previously served on the boards of Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee and Wisconsin Equal Justice Fund. He earned a bachelor’s degree at Tecnológico de Monterrey and a master’s at the Cleveland State University College of Law.
Jasmine Mercado
Jasmine Mercado is vice president and commercial lender at Spring Bank Wisconsin. Over the past 10 years, she’s held similar positions at Town Bank, US Bank, Waukesha State Bank and Huntington National Bank. She is a member of the executive board and treasurer of the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority; a board member of Forward Community Investments; vice president of the Local 212 MATC Believe in Students Fast Fund; and a member of the board of the International Institute of Wisconsin. She’s served on more than a dozen other boards and committees over the past decade. In 2025, BizTimes Milwaukee named her a Notable BIPOC Executive, and in 2024 a Notable Commercial Banking Leader. She holds an MBA from Alverno College.
Dr. Omar Granados
Dr. Omar Granados is associate professor of Spanish and Latin American Studies and director of the Institute for Latin American and Latino Studies at UW-La Crosse. He has authored numerous academic articles and chapters in edited collections and is currently working on a public history project researching the 1980 Mariel Exodus Refugee Camp Program in several U.S military bases. At UWL, Dr. Granados teaches courses on Latin American literature, history and cultural studies, contemporary film, Latino studies, and Spanish language. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the Universidad de la Habana and University of Vermont, and master’s and doctoral degrees at Emory University.
Part Three coming tomorrow!
