Every year since our founding in 2015, we have recognized Wisconsin’s most influential Black and Latino leaders, and we are very proud now to also begin to recognize Indigenous and Asian American leaders. These lists have become the most anticipated thing we do. Every year, I’ve intended these lists to highlight the beauty of the diversity across our state. I want kids here in Wisconsin to see role models of people who are succeeding, to know that it’s possible for people of color to achieve great things here.
This week we shine a statewide spotlight on the dedicated leaders of Wisconsin’s Latino communities. These are richly diverse communities with roots that represent a massive geographic area. The people we highlight this week are elected leaders, business leaders and community leaders, doing difficult, important work.
We are also aware that this list, like every other, is not comprehensive. There are, without a doubt, more than 36 influential Latino leaders doing good work in Wisconsin. We hope you will let us know about people in your community whom we can include on future lists. For now, though, we just want to introduce you to a few of the people doing the work, often behind the scenes and without the accolades, across Wisconsin.
You might know a few of these names, but there’s a good chance that most of them will be new to you. I urge you to get to know them. Reach out to those living and working in your communities. Learn from them, network, create partnerships. And spread the word — let others in your network know that we have people of all ethnicities living and working across Wisconsin to make this state a good and prosperous place for all.
And one more note: Many of the people on this list — and on previous lists — will gather October 28 at the seventh annual $ 365 Leadership Summit$ . You’re welcome to come, too, to meet, network with and learn from this dynamic group! Henry Sanders CEO and Publisher Madison365
Diego Campoverde Cisneros is diversity, equity and inclusion manager at UW Health, a role he took on in 2022 after nearly three years in a similar role at Quartz Health Solutions. Prior to taking on the role of DEI Manager at Quartz, he spent six years as the company’s senior marketing communications coordinator. He moved into healthcare after a long career in media; he served La Movida, Madison’s only Spanish-language radio station as production manager for 12 years and worked as a Spanish-language reporter for CNN Radio for six years. He was recognized with the Joyce Erdman Award and the Ilda Conteris Thomas Award by Centro Hispano, both in 2016. He earned a degree in social communications and journalism at La Universidad del Azuay in Cuenca, Ecuador.
Carmenysol Vallejo is talent program manager at Generac, a power generation company headquartered in Waukesha with nearly 3,300 employees. Since 2020 she has also provided executive and leadership training to more than 40 managers and high-level executives working in Great Place to Work partner companies in the Dominican Republic and Guatemala. She came to Wisconsin after holding several roles in marketing, sales, corporate affairs and human resources in Nicaragua. She earned a bachelor of business administration degree from Ave Maria University’s Latin American campus in 2007 and a master’s degree in directive coaching and leadership from the Universidad de Barcelona in 2020.
Jose Trejo is the principal at South Division High School in Milwaukee, one of the most diverse schools in the state. He began his teaching career in 2009 and by 2019 was named assistant principal at South Division, taking over as principal in 2020. Prior to entering education, he worked as an organizer with Voces de le Frontera, the nonprofit that advocates for immigrant, student and worker rights. There he focused on ensuring undocumented, college-bound students had the help and guidance they needed. He has served on a number of non-profit boards, including as president of the board of the largest immigrant rights organization in the state, Voces de la Frontera. Mr. Trejo has also served on the board of the Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association, where he advocated for a number of initiatives around bilingual education. He earned degrees from UW-Milwaukee and Milwaukee Area Technical College.
Natalie Arriaga de Brooks is the assistant director of the Wisconsin School of Business Multicultural Center, where she manages the center’s daily operations and its internship program. She also spearheaded the redesign of five affinity groups as well as the mentorship program serving undergraduate and graduate students. She took that role on in May 2023 after previously serving as a student life manager for engagement and academic adviser at WSB. She is a member and Graduation Committee Co-Chair of Latinx Academic Staff Association (LASA) at UW-Madison, Latino Professional Association of Greater Madison, and Urban League of Greater Madison Young Professionals, and serves as Midwest North Regional Collegiate Director for Gamma Alpha Omega Sorority, Inc. She is an alum of UW-Whitewater and earned a master’s degree in education leadership and policy analysis at UW-Madison.
René Jovel is Deputy General Counsel and Director of Legal Operations at Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin and Metropolitan Chicago, the largest Goodwill organization in the world with 90 locations throughout their 23-county territory. His primary areas of responsibility include Labor and Employment matters, Contracts, and the management of the Legal Department. Prior to joining Goodwill, René worked as a Constituent Services Representative for U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin. René currently serves on the selection committee for the Milwaukee Awards for Neighborhood Development Innovation Awards (MANDI’s). He is also a board member of the Association of Corporate Counsel Wisconsin Chapter. In 2022, he was recognized by the Milwaukee Business Journal as a Top Corporate Counsel. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Northwestern University and his Juris Doctor from Marquette University Law School.
Yolibeth Rangel-Fitzgibbon is Community Partnerships Coordinator at REAP Food Group, a Madison-based nonprofit that aims to “transform communities, economies and lives through the power of good food.” She is also the founder of Mosaicos Cultural Enrichment, a nonprofit that provides academic support to underrepresented students, and a member of Stoughton School Board. She came to Wisconsin more than 20 years ago to pursue a graduate degree in plant pathology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Dr. Xochitl Gonzalez is senior director of business operations, strategy and planning at Northwestern Mutual in Milwaukee, where she’s held a variety of progressively responsible positions since 2017. She previously spent 12 years at Johnson Controls in supply chain management, quality control and global compliance. She is a founding member of the planning team for the annual Greater Milwaukee Hispanic Leadership Summit, which has taken place every year since 2020. This past summer, she launched the podcast “Trascendencia en Acción” (Transcendence in Action) where she shares inspiring stories and strategies that lead to significant and lasting change, inviting guests from diverse backgrounds to share their experiences and insights. She earned a bachelor’s degree in leadership and organizational development at Marquette, a master’s in organizational leadership and administration from Concordia, and doctoral degrees from Cardinal Stritch and Tiffin University.
Amaad Rivera-Wagner is chief of staff to Green Bay Mayor Eric Genrich and the nominee of the Democratic Party in the upcoming State Assembly election. He is also co-chair of the Greater Green Bay Chamber’s Diversity and Inclusion Task Force and the United Way of Brown County Advocacy Council. He managed Genrich’s 2023 re-election campaign and previously worked in policy and constituent services in the United States Senate. He is a graduate of Bentley University with a degree in marketing.
Connie Vargas is a mortgage loan officer with Fox Communities Credit Union in Appleton and cofounder with her two sisters of Barlash Aesthetica, a salon in Appleton. She joined Fox Communities Credit Union after four years in banking and investments at BMO Harris. She has served as a cultural consultant, helping connect Fox Valley organizations with Hispanic communities. She also sits on the board for Casa Hispana and was recognized as a Future 15 Young Professionals by Pulse, the Fox Cities Chamber’s young professionals’ program. She earned her bachelor of business administration degree from the Lubar School of Business at UW-Milwaukee.
Judge Kristela Cervera is a judge in the Milwaukee County Circuit Court, appointed by Gov. Tony Evers in 2021. Prior to her appointment, she presided for two years as an assistant family court commissioner in Milwaukee County. Before joining the court, she spent 14 years as legal counsel for the Milwaukee County Department of Child Support Services and was a court commissioner for the City of Milwaukee Municipal Court, the first Latina appointed to that position. She also served as a managing attorney for Esperanza Unida, a nonprofit organization that supports Latino workers. She is a past president of the Wisconsin Hispanic Lawyers Association and was named Hispanic Woman of the Year by the United Migrant Opportunity Services in 2021. She earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a law degree from the University of Wisconsin.
Maria del Pilar Wadina is chief growth officer at La Casa de Esperanza, a nonprofit in Waukesha dedicated to providing opportunities for low-income individuals to achieve full social and economic participation, with an emphasis on the area’s Hispanic population. She stepped into that role last year after four years as vice president of community engagement. Her connection with the organization began when she joined the board of directors in 2016. She currently also serves on the development committee of Marquette University High School. She holds a bachelor’s degree in leadership from Alverno College.
Nataly Andrade Sánchez is Director of Outreach for Hispanics for School Choice and cofounder, with her sister Galy, of Mercadera, a community established to support, connect and empower Latinas in Wisconsin. The pair were honored with the Poderosa Award from the Wisconsin Latino Chamber of Commerce. Prior to joining HSC, she worked in admissions and administration at St. Anthony School and St. Joan Antida High School, both in Milwaukee. Nataly serves on the Notre Dame High School of Milwaukee Auxiliary Board. She earned a degree in criminal justive from Universidad de La Salle Bajío in León, Guanajuato, Mexico.
Rodrigo Carapia is a self-taught artist who originates from Mexico City and has lived and worked in Madison for 15 years. He first began with street art and when he moved to Wisconsin in 2008, he started to perfect his craft on canvas and paper. As an artist and activist, Carapia uses his work as a form of self-expression and resistance by offering art workshops in schools, juvenile shelters and juvenile correctional centers. His work has been donated to grassroots organizations that help the undocumented community as well as workers’ unions. His public art can be spotted around the state in murals, restaurants and shows. He has designed a number of Forward Madison Football Club matchday posters, as well as the 2024 Hispanic Heritage Month warm-up top.
Isaia Ben-Ami is policy director for State Representative Kalan Haywood, the current assistant minority leader. He’s worked in a number of legislative offices as an aide, chief of staff and policy director in both the Assembly and Senate. While a student at UW-Madison, he served as president of the Pi Lambda Phi Wisconsin Omega Chapter. He graduated from UW-Madison in 2020 with a degree in political science and government.
Angela Puerta is an urban planner for the City of Madison, where she works on neighborhood plans and advocates for inclusive neighborhoods. She is also a popular local musician known for her eclectic music, which is influenced by alternative rock, pop, reggae, Colombian folklore, and other Latin American rhythms. She performs solo as a singer and guitarist, and fronts the four-piece Angela Puerta Band. She has been honored with six Madison Area Music Awards and bronze and silver stars in Best of Madison. She is a teaching artist in Overture Center’s Lullaby Project. She earned a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Universidad Piloto de Colombia and a master’s degree in urban planning from UW-Madison.
Amanda Salazar is the director of operations at Bookworm Gardens in Sheboygan, WI, where she leads daily operations to ensure the organization meets its goals. Prior to her role at Bookworm Gardens, Amanda served as the manager of earned revenue and mission advancement at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center. She is the founder of Sheboygan SOUP (Support Our Urban Projects) and co-founder of Active8 Sheboygan, where she currently serves on the Board of Directors. She served on the City of Sheboygan Common Council from 2021 to March 2024, which included a year as Council vice president. She was named one of Coastal’s Top Ten Young Professionals in Sheboygan County in 2017. In 2015, she received the President’s Award at the Sheboygan County Chamber’s Next Wave Awards.
Dr Dominic J Ledesma is assistant vice provost for culture, climate and engagement at the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Division of Information Technology (DoIT). He joined DoIT earlier this year after two years as chief diversity officer, and two years as interim director of the Office of Access, Inclusion and Compliance, and three years as language access coordinator, all at UW Extension. Prior to that spent six years as student services coordinator and associate director of the Chancellor’s and Powers-Knapp Scholarship Programs. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and Italian from UW-Madison, a master’s
Judge Reyna Morales is a Milwaukee County Circuit Judge for Branch 42. She was appointed in October 2020 and won election to a full term in 2021. Before stepping up to the bench, she served as a public defender for more than 23 years, first in Racine County and then Milwaukee County. She graduated from State University of New York at Binghamton and Marquette University Law School.
Mercedes Bibiana Gonzalez owns a bilingual childcare facility in Green County that caters to the needs of the area’s Latino community. She is a leader in the Multicultural Outreach Program (MCOP) in Green County. This has included planning and holding community celebrations for Dia del Niño, Independence Day, Dia de los Muertos, and community posadas. As a recognized leader, people reach out to her when looking for resources and opportunities to flourish in Green County. Bibiana is also on the Elevando Wisconsin Advisory Committee, providing culturally relevant leadership development programming for Latino people across Wisconsin. She is also on the Green County Rural Entrepreneurial Venture team, working to build up opportunities for Latine entrepreneurs, and coordinates with housing providers to find housing for Latino families in need.
Dr. Nydia Martinez is executive Director of the Latino Academy of Workforce Development, a role she took on earlier this year. Prior to joining the Latino Academy, Dr. Martinez served as the Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences at Eastern Washington University, where she led strategic initiatives to foster career readiness, diversity, and inclusion. Additionally, she held positions as Director of the Chicano (Latinx) Studies Program and Academic Director of the College Assistance Migrant Program. She has served on the Board of Directors of Nuestras Raíces of Spokane. Dr. Martinez holds a Ph.D. in Latin American History from the University of New Mexico and degrees from the University of Texas at San Antonio.
Rolando De Leon is Milwaukee director of diversity, equity and inclusion and community engagement at UW Credit Union. He joined UWCU in December after two years in DEI at Froedtert Health. In addition, he has more than 16 years of experience working in higher education at Waukesha County Technical College’s Multicultural Resource Center and the University of Wisconsin Whitewater CEPS – Future Teacher Program. He earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology with an emphasis in race & ethnic cultures and master’s degree in organizational leadership from Marian University in Fond du Lac.
Sandra Dempsey is owner of video production and marketing company Source TEN, and producer, influencer, and marketing advisor. A native of Mexico, she has lived and worked in the U.S. for over 20 years and worked for major media organizations like ESPN and Telemundo before launching her own successful business which specializes in communications, Hispanic marketing consulting, storytelling and video production. She also co-founded Estamos Unidos US, a bilingual, multi-platform brand created to showcase Milwaukee experiences with high energy and cultural authenticity, adding health and wellness content to make it an even more wholesome brand. Among other recognitions, Sandra’s latest award, “Connecting Comunity” by Milwaukee Downtown Bid #21, recognizes her ability to create and engage the Latino Community in Milwaukee. She graduated with a degree in Mexican law and labor law from Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro.
Amy Lindner is president and CEO of the United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County, which has raised $350 million for the community since she took the helm in 2018. Previously, Amy served as the president and CEO of Meta House, a Milwaukee-based nonprofit (and United Way partner agency) whose mission is to end the generational cycle of addiction by healing women and strengthening families, and Amy was a partner at the law firm of Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren. Amy has been recognized as a 2015 Milwaukee Business Journal 40 under 40 award winner, a Fellow by the Wisconsin Law Foundation, a 2014 Community Leader by the Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee, a 2020 and 2024 Power Broker by the Milwaukee Business Journal, and in 2020 by Milwaukee Magazine with a Betty Award. She holds degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Notre Dame Law School.
Dr. Louis Macias serves as Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) at UW-Madison, where he leads efforts to maximize positive outcomes by aligning the College’s actions with its values, needs, and goals. Dr. Macias has spent his entire career as an educator. He began as a middle and high school social studies teacher and, for the last 15 years, has served in higher education leadership roles at universities in Florida and at UW-Madison, where he has been since 2015. Prior to his current role, Louis served as the inaugural Executive Director of Recruitment, Diversity and Inclusion for the UW-Madison Police Department, and has held other professional roles in areas such as academic advising, pre-college programs, student affairs, enrollment management and fundraising. Dr. Macias earned his undergraduate and doctoral degrees from Florida State University.
Julio Rios is vice president of mortgage lending at UW Credit Union, where he has worked his way up over the course of 19 years, all in the credit union’s mortgage lending department. He has played a strategic role in starting up the credit union’s Multifamily Residential Business lending practice, and has been instrumental in implementing the ITIN mortgage lending program, which broadens access to home financing for credit union members without a Social Security Number. Prior to joining UWCU, he worked for 11 years as a regional sales manager and assistant vice president for sales and business development at CUNA Mutual Mortgage (now part of TruStage).
Nancy Gomez is director of the Salud Mental Program at Anesis Family Therapy, a program launched in 2022 to focus on eliminating barriers for accessing mental health services for the Latino community. It provides a mental health drop-in clinic, offers bilingual clinicians, and provides culturally relevant training. She has over 10 years of experience working with youth, families and individuals in community settings that provide wrap-around services. She received her Master’s from Edgewood College in Marriage and Family Therapy and her Bachelors in Human Development and Family Studies from UW-Madison. She is currently enrolled in her PhD in Clinical Psychology program with a concentration in Social Justice and Diversity at UW-Madison.
Paulo Garcia is founder and director of Ballet Folklórico Xanharati, a group dedicated to the promotion and strengthening of music and dance in folk, contemporary, and ballroom dance. The studio provides dance and cultural education and has a mainstage dance company that performs at events and festivals around the Milwaukee area. Originally founded in 2014, the company was dormant for a time until he relaunched it in 2020 as a response to the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic. In October 2023 he created the Great Lakes Folklore Association which organizes conferences and activities such as competitions and fandangos on Mexican folklore. He also works as traffic manager and office administrator at La Radio de Milwaukee. He studied Mexican regional dance at the Instituto de Iniciación Artística de Nayarit and graphic communication design at Universidad Latina de América in Morelia, Mexico.
Paula Arango-Tavera is associate principal at Badger Ridge Middle School in Verona. She started her education career as a fourth grade math and science teacher in Florida, moving to Madison in 2018 to take on a classroom at Sherman Middle School. She moved toward the administrative as an institutional coach and then dean of students at Blackhawk Middle School before taking on her current role at Badger Ridge. She graduated from Florida Atlantic University in 2015 and earned a master’s degree in education leadership and policy analysis at UW-Madison in 2021.
Tomás Clasen is a commercial real estate attorney at Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c., where he advises clients on complex development projects in the Milwaukee area. He previously served as a Teach for America educator and Wisconsin advocacy director for the American Civil Liberties Union. He serves as Vice President of the Wisconsin Hispanic Lawyers Association and as board member of City Forward Collective and Dr. Howard Fuller Collegiate Academy. Tomás also mentors young Latino attorneys and law students, fostering diversity in the legal profession. He was named a Milwaukee Business Journal 40 Under 40 in 2023 and was honored with a Community Impact Award by Madison Magnet in 2020. He earned a degree in history from the University of Wisconsin in 2011, a master’s degree in special education from Hunter College in 2013 and a law degree from UW Law School in 2018.
Angelina Cruz is president of Racine Educators United, the teachers’ union in Racine, and, in January, will become a member of the State Assembly representing the 62nd district, which includes parts of the City of Racine and Villages of Caledonia, Mount Pleasant, North Bay, and Wind Point. Before taking leave to lead the teachers’ union, she spent 20 years teaching in Racine Unified School District.
Irineo Medina is a practicing artist residing in the Fox Valley of Wisconsin. Neo specializes in creating spaces of inclusion while building equitable opportunities for his community to be involved in different layers of his work. That includes his involvement in “Paint the City,” a collaboration with the Appleton Area School District, where he also works as DEI mentor coordinator. He previously worked for five years at the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Fox Valley, first as opportunity coordinator at Maplewood Middle School and then as assistant director of the STAR program. He earned a degree in fine arts at UW-Oshkosh.
Luke Diaz is mayor of Verona, a city of about 15,000 just west of Madison. He was first elected to the city council in 2013 and mayor in 2018, running unopposed for re-election in 2024. He worked as a technical writer at Epic for 11 years after getting his start in politics as a campaign consultant and field organizer for two Congressional campaigns in 2004. He earned a degree in political science and history at Valparaiso University in 2003.
Nancy Saiz is a community development specialist at the City of Madison, where she oversees contracts with nonprofit organizations that get city funding for community development. She’s been with the city for 15 years after two years as a social worker and community outreach specialist in the healthcare field. Saiz serves on the Community Safety Intervention Team and the Domestic Violence Community Coordinated Response Team. She is civil rights coordinator for the Community Development Division and serves on Neighborhood Resource Teams for the Leopold-Arbor Hills and Owl Creek areas. She also serves on the Racial Equity and Social Justice Initiative, Multicultural Affairs Committee and Latino Community Engagement Team. She was named a Woman of Distinction by YWCA Madison in 2023. She earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in social welfare, Chicano studies and social work at UW-Madison.
Priscilla Prado is owner of Midwest Bookkeeping, a Milwaukee-based firm specializing in tax and bookkeeping services that she founded in 2017. Before venturing into entrepreneurship, she was a staff accountant at Monster, director of administrative services at three Milwaukee parishes and their attached schools, and an accountant at Michael Best & Friedrich. She previously served as treasurer of the Wisconsin Latino Chamber of Commerce executive board. She’s been recognized with a Milwaukee Business Journal Diversity in Business Award and was named Woman on Excellence by the Wisconsin Latino Chamber of Commerce. She is also the Democratic Party nominee to represent District Nine, covering Milwaukee’s north and west sides, in the State Assembly. She earned a bachelor of business administration degree from Alverno College.
Yhadira Ruiz is vice president and business relationship manager at BMO Harris Bank, where she’s held a number of progressively responsible positions since 2007, except for a stint as a paralegal at Christopher & De Leon Law Office. She’s served the community as volunteer coordinator at Mexican Fiesta for 17 years and a volunteer with the UMOS Mexican Independence Day Parade for 11. She served on the finance committee of PEARLS for Teen Girls and Wisconsin co-chair of the BMO Alliance for Women employee resource group. She earned a degree in art history, criticism and conservation at UW-Milwaukee.
Javier Acevedo-Baez is the Chief Development Officer and Managing Director of Operations for the Wisconsin Latino Chamber of Commerce, with over 20 years of experience supporting underrepresented communities. He serves on the Governor’s Council on Equity and Inclusion and co-chairs the vendor selection committee for the Madison Public Market. He has also led efforts in combating human trafficking as Lead Advocate for UMOS’s Wisconsin Anti-Human Trafficking Program. His work has earned him awards, including the UMOS Hispanic Man of the Year and the International Justice Award.
Who’d we miss? Email us at [email protected] to let us know who in your community should make the list next year!
