During her tenure at Wells Fargo, Juarez has held several senior leadership banking positions, including Service Manager, Branch Manager, District Manager and Area President. She started as a teller in the Los Angeles Main Branch.

A proven Wells Fargo leader with expertise in working with multiple segments, including high-value customers, and in leading teams to higher performance, she has been the recipient of numerous awards such as Hispanic Lifestyle magazines “Latina of Influence,” an honor it bestows annually to Latinas who are making a difference in their respective industries, and are living role models for the Hispanic/Latino community. In addition to, being recognized as one of the most influential leaders in Los Angeles by Los Angeles Business Journal’s L.A. 500.

A strong DE&I advocate, Juarez was instrumental in the development and leadership of the Central California region’s Diversity Council whose efforts embrace and promote diversity and inclusion in all aspects of business.

An active member in her community, Juarez serves on the California Restaurant Association Foundation board of directors, the United Way of Greater Los Angeles board of directors, and Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce CEO Council.

She is a Los Angeles native and earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Phoenix and graduated with honors from Pacific Coast Banking School at University of Washington in Seattle.

For over twenty years, Elizabeth Jinzo has led a grassroots effort to help people with disabilities achieve more. Every day she leads a team of dedicated educators and mentors who work with clients in one-to-one settings, helping them identify and overcome barriers to success. Elizabeth espouses a life-long learning process, and has been assisting many of her clients achieve their goals for years and even decades. Elizabeth believes that human connection and community integration are essential to the learning process, and her lifelong goal is to end segregation for people with disabilities.

Elizabeth began her journey as a disability advocate when her daughter, Desirae, was born prematurely with a myriad of developmental disabilities. Motivated to see her daughter succeed, Elizabeth obtained a degree in Child Development from the University of California, Los Angeles. She worked as a certified teacher for the Los Angeles Unified School District, as well as working as a Regional Center disability social worker for fifteen years.

Today, Desirae lives independently and is successfully navigating adulthood. Elizabeth wanted to make the journey easier for families similar to her own. In 2008, she founded Designated Exceptional Services for Independence (D.E.S.I.), an organization geared towards helping children and adults with disabilities to live independently. They currently serve over 75 families from their headquarters in East Los Angeles, working directly in communities throughout East and Southeast Los Angeles County, focusing on traditionally underserved, at-promise communities. Most of the families served are Latino, and her organization is known as a leader in providing culturally and linguistically sensitive services to this population. Elizabeth also works with the county to provide occupational training opportunities to young single mothers.

Recognized as a firebrand for her work; she has been featured on ABC 7 Los Angeles and NBC4 Los Angeles, among other publications. She speaks regularly throughout Southern California at business events, disability conferences, parent advocacy meetings, and educational seminars.
She has been honored with several professional affiliations, including January 2020, by the Honorable Christina Garcia, Assemblymember of the 58th District, for her efforts toward integration as an Unsung Hero for the community at the Pride 58 Gala.

She is an avid public speaker, sharing her experience and expertise in disability. In 2014, she was honored as Woman of the Year by California State Senator Ed Hernandez, and was recognized as a Woman of Achievement by Senator Tony Mendoza in 2015. In 2018, her work was celebrated in an official proclamation of the U.S. Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard’s Women’s History Month message.

Additionally in her celebratory decade of D.E.S.I., Elizabeth was recognized by Hilda Solis, Supervisor of the first district of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisor and the Los Angeles County Commission on Disabilities for making outstanding contributions to the First District and for promoting equality and accessibility for people with disabilities. 

Elizabeth lives in Banning, California with husband Kenny and their three dogs.

Esmeralda Hernandez, the visionary entrepreneur behind Beauty Creations. Born in Mexico, she moved to the US with her mother at nine. Starting at a young age, Esmeralda’s business acumen was evident as she bought and resold Barbie dolls and later expanded to selling hair “stringers.” This led her to explore the beauty industry and establish Beauty Creations, providing high-quality, affordable cosmetics. Under Esmeralda’s leadership, the brand has achieved tremendous success, generating $40 million in sales and expanding globally to 38 countries. The company recently acquired a new facility in California, enabling in-house manufacturing and a headquarters for their operations. With retail stores and plans for expansion, Beauty Creations continues to thrive. Esmeralda’s journey exemplifies perseverance and the pursuit of dreams, making her an inspiration

Chef LaLa: Empowering Lives Through Food, Health, and Knowledge

Chef LaLa, a dynamic and inspirational speaker, stands at the forefront of lifestyle excellence, wielding her passion for food, health, and knowledge as instruments of empowerment. Her journey is a remarkable fusion of culture, creativity, and unwavering dedication, poised to ignite a spark of inspiration at the upcoming Hispanic women’s event.

A Culinary Visionary
Chef LaLa is a multifaceted talent, boasting accomplishments as an accomplished chef, cookbook author, food stylist, food consultant, and certified nutritionist. Born as a first-generation Latina, she channels her rich cultural heritage into her culinary creations, infusing them with a deep understanding of health and well-being. Her mantra, “It is a lifestyle, not a diet,” encapsulates her approach to the art of cooking, emphasizing its transformative potential.

A Journey of Culinary Excellence
Chef LaLa’s culinary odyssey began in her family’s restaurants, where her love for food was born. Her journey to culinary mastery took her to the renowned Le Cordon Bleu, where she immersed herself in the nuances of global cuisine. Recognized for her expertise, she has graced screens on Discovery Health National Body Challenge, America Now, Univision, Telemundo, and Fox’s hit show, THE REAL. Her appearances on iconic shows like the Today Show, Martha Stewart, and Dr. Oz have solidified her status as a household name in the culinary world.

A Visionary Entrepreneur
Chef LaLa is not just a chef; she’s a visionary entrepreneur committed to health and nutrition. She founded Chef Nourish, a Los Angeles-based meal delivery company renowned for its chef-crafted meals made with nutrient-dense, locally sourced, organic, gluten-free, and dairy-free superfoods. Her mission is crystal clear: to help busy individuals lead their healthiest lives through convenient, yet nourishing, food options.

Catering to Unique Health Needs
What truly sets Chef Nourish apart is its specialization in providing nourishment tailored to individuals grappling with comorbidities associated with dietary restrictions, such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. Chef LaLa’s culinary expertise shines as she crafts meals that meet the specific needs of those facing health challenges, turning dietary restrictions into culinary triumphs. Her commitment to promoting a healthy lifestyle extends to her Nutrition & Lifestyle Medicine certifications from Harvard Medical School,,making her a trusted source of guidance and empowerment in the world of nutrition.

A-List Celebrities: A Testament to Excellence
Chef Nourish’s allure extends well beyond individuals with dietary restrictions. A plethora of A-list celebrities, who seek not only a healthy lifestyle but also the radiance of the red carpet, have chosen Chef LaLa’s culinary expertise to meet their needs. These stars have discovered that Chef Nourish offers not just meals but a transformative experience that harmonizes nutrition and indulgence, enhancing their overall well-being.

Knowledge is Power
Chef LaLa firmly believes in the transformative power of knowledge. Her educational credentials include a Professional Certificate in Nutrition for Optimal Health, Wellness, and Sports from San Diego State University, along with certifications as a Diabetes Self-Management Specialist from Penn State, Arizona State, and Central Arizona College. In recognition of her dedication, she has received the Latino Initiatives at Harvard Medical School Award from the Joselin Institute of Health.

Entrepreneurial Drive
As the CEO of the thriving Chef Nourish, Chef LaLa continues to seek scholastic growth. She has pursued further education at the Stanford Graduate School of Business Latino Entrepreneurship Initiative and the MIT Sloan School of Management for Entrepreneurship, exemplifying her relentless pursuit of excellence in all aspects of her career.

Chef LaLa is an embodiment of success, resilience, and unwavering dedication. Her journey from humble beginnings to culinary stardom serves as a beacon of inspiration for all, especially at the upcoming Hispanic women’s event, where she will undoubtedly empower and enlighten attendees with her expertise and passion for the culinary arts, the transformative power of knowledge, and her dedication to helping individuals overcome health challenges through nourishing, delicious cuisine.

Best known as “Mara” the Emmy Award Winning Host of PBS “Storytime”. Other credits include Carmen in Klasky- Csupo’s “Santo Bugito” (CBS), the principal subject in the documentary “Now En Espanol” (PBS), SMILF, Criminal Minds, Coco, Acapulco, and has shot several episodes of the soon to be released Bosch: Legacy.  On stage she has worked with legendary Latino directors Luis Valdez, (Bandido!) Jose Luis Valenzuela, and Jaime Jaimes (RIP – whom she was married to for 13 years, winning several theater awards under his direction). She also toured for 10 years with the late Luis Avalos’ Holiday Classic, Paquito’s Christmas, reaching the Kennedy Center Stage.

Patty Covarrubias, Founder of PC Consulting Group, is a distinguished expert with a remarkable track record spanning more than two decades in the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Social Impact domains. As Principal Consultant, she is deeply committed to collaborating closely with organizations, aligning her extensive expertise to help them not only achieve their CSR objectives but also initiate profound and lasting positive changes within their communities. Patty offers invaluable support to businesses and organizations in formulating thoughtful and purpose-driven initiatives seamlessly integrated into their operational and administrative structure, resulting in meaningful and significant social transformation.

Prior to her tenure at PC Consulting, Patty’s career included significant leadership roles in several renowned organizations, including Redfin, the Children’s Health of Orange County (CHOC) Foundation, BNP Paribas, Citigroup, and Washington Mutual, where she managed corporate social responsibility budgets and outreach programs.

Patty is actively engaged in community service as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Ronald McDonald House of Orange County, the Charitable Division Board at Queenscare Health Centers, and an Advisory Board Member for the Community and Culture initiative at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. She also dedicated over a decade of her time to the USC Latino Alumni Association Board of Directors and contributed her talents to numerous other boards, including the National Latina Business Women’s Association, Familia Unida, Southern California Business Development Corporation, and Inland Empire United Way.

Patty received a Master of Arts degree in Communication Management from the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Policy and Management from the USC Price School of Public Policy. She resides in Orange County, CA with her husband and two young children.

Veronica Corona is Founder and President of CM Cleaning Solutions, Inc. a janitorial services company dedicated to keeping office buildings, medical offices, and retail centers clean in 25 states.

With more than 20 years’ experience in the commercial janitorial industry, Veronica is committed to providing personalized customer service, which gives the company a competitive edge. She has been known to roll up her sleeves and join a crew to ensure client satisfaction.

Veronica has a passion for people and establishing relationships. She often says, “We’re not in the cleaning business; we’re in the people business.” With that in mind, she makes sure her employees are happy who in turn make sure the clients are happy.

Veronica is an award-winning entrepreneur who has been honored by the California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Los Angeles Latino Chamber of Commerce, Hispanic Lifestyle Magazine, Ford en Español National Latina Business-Women Association-Los Angeles, NAWBO- National Association of Women Business Owners and La Opinion newspaper.

Business Consultant- Assisting business owners with strategic solutions in operations, customer retention and end to end business needs for the past 3 years.

Senior Director for a purpose-based online shopping club business, where she offers the best, most effective, eco-friendly, safe, and affordable common household, and wellness products for the past 5 years.

Best Selling Author of “Latina Empowerment Through Leadership” a collaboration with 7 other women.

An Alumni of UCLA Anderson School of Management- Development for Entrepreneurs Program (2012) and USC Marshal- Latina Executive Global Leadership Program (2015)

A Distinguished Toastmaster with Toastmasters International and Public Speaking Coach- develop high level skills when presenting your business or speaking in front of an audience.

With a strong desire to give back, to empower and inspire others, the bilingual Los Angeles native is active in her community and serves on the boards of several non-profits, including Vice-Chairwoman for California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Board Member for Los Angeles Work Force Development, and an advisor for #Latina Geeks and the National Latina Businesswomen Association (NLBWA). She is also past president of NLWBA Los Angeles (2012-2014)

When Veronica is not managing day-to-day operations in her businesses, volunteering empowering others or speaking on panels, you can find her spending time with family and friends, reading, and/or golfing.