2018 Latina of Influence | Patricia Mota
Hispanic Lifestyle is pleased to recognize Non-Profit Executive and Community Leader Patricia Mota as a 2018 Latina of Influence. Ms. Mota along with our entire list of 2018 Latinas of Influence are invited to participate in Hispanic Lifestyle’s 2018 Latina Conference taking place April 4 and 5, 2018 in Ontario, California.
Patricia Mota is President and CEO Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement (HACE) a national non-profit dedicated to the employment, development, and advancement of current and aspiring Latino professionals. Patricia is responsible for leading strategy, fundraising & development, professional and student leadership programs, and expanding organizational reach on a national scale. Having experienced the education and career-opportunity gaps that exist first-hand was eye-opening and shocking for Patricia Mota, as a high school student, and then as a first-time professional. Since then, she has made it her personal mission to close these gaps. Patricia is a passionate, innovative trailblazer, dedicated to the advancement and empowerment of Latinos across various stages in their education and career. With over 10 years of demonstrated success in leading this personal mission via building effective programs and strategic partnerships, Patricia works to strengthen and expand the Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement’s (HACE) mission, brand, and impact across the country.Patricia strives to engage experienced professionals as mentors and advisors to create a multi-generational network to support Latinos’ career growth around the country.
Prior to two promotional roles, Patricia served as the Director of Membership Outreach, and as Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives, where Patricia led and grasped all aspects of the organization. During her time at HACE, Patricia has enhanced new and existing corporate and strategic partnerships, bringing in at least $1.5 million in new partnerships, increased membership by 67%, launched the Mujeres de HACE women’s leadership program from one to eight cities, expanded the El Futuro High School program, kick-started a pilot of the HACE Leadership Academy – Nonprofit Series, among various other milestones, impacting the lives of over 25,000 students and professionals along the way. She is also a sought-out speaker, having presented at conferences such as the Forum on Workplace Inclusion, National Council of La Raza (NCLR), and for companies such as Allstate, BP, Kraft, Phillips 66, RR Donnelley, and Spectra Energy, to name a few.
Patricia has a strong history of serving the Latino community, as reflected by her service on various nonprofit boards and committees, and several accolades, most recently being appointed as a board member on the Illinois Treasurer Latino Advisory Council and the Indiana University Latino Alumni Association Board, and most recently awarded the Proud to be Latina Soy Poderosa Award in New York in 2016, Chicago’s Top 40 Under 40 by Negocios Now in 2015 and Woman Executive of the Year Award by Sucessos Magazine in Houston in 2014.
Patricia earned a double Bachelor of Arts degree from Indiana University-Bloomington in Spanish and Communication & Culture and a Master’s in Public Affairs (MPA) in Public Management from Indiana University’s School of Public & Environmental Affairs (SPEA)-Indianapolis. Patricia is also a certified coach and Insights Discovery© licensed practitioner.
Her diverse professional background began with co-founding a non-profit with Latino affairs for city government, administration in corporate energy company, as a faculty and staff member in higher education, to circling back to non-profit. These experiences aid in Patricia’s success among varied environments and perspectives. She is an avid runner and former group exercise dance instructor. She is Mexican-American, grew up in East Chicago, Indiana, and currently residing in Chicago.
Nominated by Rebecca Flores-Castro
