Mary Sol Gonzalez | 2024 Latina of Influence
Hispanic Lifestyle is pleased to honor co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Hispanic Entrepreneur Initiative Mary Sol Gonzalez as a Latina of Influence. Ms. Sol Gonzalez will be recognized for her leadership in our community during Hispanic Lifestyle’s Connecting Latinas of Influence | Florida, to be held on October 23, 2024.
Mary Sol Gonzalez is a distinguished entrepreneur and community leader with over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector. As the co-founder and CEO of the Hispanic Entrepreneur Initiative (HEI), she has dedicated herself to advancing the mission of empowering Hispanic entrepreneurs and minority groups through education, mentorship, and access to essential resources. Since its establishment in late 2019, HEI has served more than 3,000 individuals, primarily women, from Broward and Palm Beach Counties, representing 13 countries and 16 industries.
Under Marysol’s visionary leadership, HEI has implemented transformative programs such as “Empowering the American Dream,” designed by HEI’s own co founder and VP of Education Yulimar Trumbo. This proprietary flagship initiative designed to help entrepreneurs build, expand, or restructure their businesses. Through this program and others, HEI has successfully facilitated the creation, growth, and strategic development of over 60 businesses. Participants in HEI’s programs receive comprehensive training, mentorship, networking opportunities, and guidance on adopting the U.S. business culture—ensuring that they are well-equipped to navigate the entrepreneurial landscape.
In addition to her work with HEI, Marysol has actively contributed to various community development efforts. As Community Engagement Chair for SCORE Mentors Palm Beach County, she has organized outreach to five cities, spearheading collaborative roundtables that have benefited over 600 Hispanic entrepreneurs. Her efforts have provided essential business resources to underserved communities, fostering economic growth and stability. Marysol also serves as a founding Board Member of the Broward County Hispanic Heritage Chamber of Commerce, where she played an instrumental role in establishing the first Hispanic Chamber in the county.
Marysol’s commitment to community engagement extends to her involvement with the YMCA of South Palm Beach County, where she founded the annual “Baila Conmigo” event. This event, which now draws over 1,600 participants, celebrates Hispanic culture while raising funds for the YMCA’s financial aid programs. As the Founder of the Boca Raton Chamber’s International Business Alliance, she has contributed to fostering economic development by organizing monthly roundtables that have attracted more than 2,700 attendees over the past nine years. Marysol also served as a Board Member for the Brazilian Business Group, working to build bridges between the Hispanic and Brazilian business communities.
Her dedication to empowering others and making a positive impact has earned her numerous accolades. In 2024, Marysol was recognized as one of the “Hispanic Women of Distinction,” a prestigious honor celebrating her leadership and contributions to the Hispanic community. That same year, she was named “Our Town Hero” by Boca Magazine and received the “Venezolanos Ilustres” award in April. In 2023, her lifelong commitment to volunteerism was honored with the U.S. Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award. Additionally, she received the Great Companies International Women Entrepreneurs Award in 2024 for her outstanding contributions to the global business community.
Beyond her professional achievements, Marysol is deeply committed to philanthropy and civic service. She actively supports Habitat for Humanity’s “Women’s Build” program, participates in the Boca Raton Bowl as a Community Captain, and serves on the Board of Advisors for the Extending a Hand Foundation, which provides support to underprivileged youth and the elderly in Agua de Dios, Colombia.
Marysol’s unwavering passion for uplifting others, her strategic leadership, and her commitment to building a more inclusive and prosperous community have made her an influential figure in both the business and nonprofit sectors. She continues to inspire and empower Hispanic entrepreneurs, creating lasting change in the lives of those she serves.
