A curated reception, leadership forum, and awards experience designed to recognize those shaping business, community, and culture.

A Curated Reception

Each Milestone Series event begins with a private, curated reception that brings together a select group of professionals, decision-makers, and community leaders.

This is a space designed for intentional connection where conversations are meaningful, relationships are strengthened, and the people in the room reflect a shared commitment to leadership and progress.

A Leadership Forum with Market Insights

At the core of the experience is a leadership forum focused on timely conversations shaping today’s business and community landscape.

Discussions may include:

  • Generational wealth and economic opportunity
  • Real estate and housing market insights
  • Business leadership and growth strategies
  • Community influence and long-term impact
  • Regional trends unique to each host market

These conversations are designed to provide perspective, clarity, and insight connecting ideas with real world experience.

THE EXPERIENCE

A curated, invitation-only reception

A leadership forum featuring market-relevant insights

Recognition of selected honorees

An elevated setting designed for meaningful engagement

FUNDING PARTNER

Wells Fargo Logo

HL | Culture & Influence is proud to announce Wells Fargo as a Funding Partner of the HL | Milestone Series “an invitation-only” leadership experience recognizing individuals and organizations shaping business, community, and culture.

As part of this collaboration, Wells Fargo will support the Milestone Series across three key markets in 2026: Orange County, New York, and Silicon Valley.

“We are proud to collaborate with Wells Fargo as a Funding Partner of the Milestone Series,” said Richard Sandoval, Storyteller | Producer | Connector, HL | Culture & Influence. “Their support allows us to elevate conversations, recognize leadership, and create spaces where relationships and ideas can move forward with purpose.”

Upcoming Events

HONOREES

HL | Milestone Series – Honors Esperanza (Escobar) Teasdale, ACC

Culture • Influence • Legacy Some careers are defined by the brands they help build. Others are defined by the people they inspire and the legacy they create. Esperanza Teasdale has done both. With more than three decades of leadership at PepsiCo and Unilever,...

HL | Milestone Series – Honors A&H Security Services

Leadership in Business Growth, Workforce Development and Community Protection The HL | Milestone Series is proud to recognize A&H Security Services, a Bronx-based company that has become one of New York City’s most respected minority-owned security firms. Founded...

HL | Milestone Series – Honors Ana Ceppi

Turning Cultural Intelligence into Business Growth The HL | Milestone Series is proud to recognizeAna Ceppi, CEO and Founder of Multicultural Growth Partners, for her visionary leadership in helping Fortune 500 companies transform cultural understanding into...

HL | Milestone Series – Honors Classico Building Maintenance

Building New York City While Creating Opportunity Through Entrepreneurial Leadership For more than two decades, Maria D. Rios has built a company that reflects the power of vision, perseverance, and operational excellence. As President and CEO of Classico Building...

HL | Milestone Series – Honors Saraciea J. Fennell

Building Community Through Storytelling, Books, and Literary Advocacy Saraciea J. Fennell has transformed her love of books and storytelling into a powerful movement that celebrates culture, elevates underrepresented voices, and creates opportunities for writers and...

HL | Milestone Series – Honors Diana Caba

Advancing Economic Opportunity Through Community-Centered Leadership Diana Caba is helping shape the future of economic opportunity for Latino and historically excluded communities across the United States. As Vice President for Community and Economic Development at...

HL | Milestone Series – Honors The Brinn Group

Building the Relationships That Move Communities Forward For more than three decades, The Brinn Group has helped organizations navigate the complex intersection of business, government, and community engagement across the New York metropolitan area. Led by Fernando...

HL | Milestone Series – Honors Elizabeth C. Yeampierre

Advancing Climate Justice and Community-Led Solutions Elizabeth C. Yeampierre has spent her career ensuring that frontline communities have a voice in shaping environmental policy and climate solutions. As Executive Director of UPROSE, Brooklyn’s oldest Latino...

HL | Milestone Series – Honors NAWBO NYC

Empowering Women Entrepreneurs and Expanding Economic Opportunity For nearly five decades, the National Association of Women Business Owners has served as one of the nation’s most influential advocates for women entrepreneurs. Its New York City chapter, NAWBO NYC,...

HL | Milestone Series – Honors Rhina Valentin

Elevating Culture, Community, and Creative Expression in New York Rhina Valentin is a powerful creative force whose work continues to shape New York’s cultural and media landscape. A native New Yorker of Afro-Boricua heritage, she has built a career defined by...