HL | Milestone Series – Honors NAHREP® Orange County Chapter

HL | Milestone Series – Honors NAHREP® Orange County Chapter

HL | Milestone Series – Honors NAHREP® Orange County Chapter

Advocacy | Homeownership | Economic Empowerment

The HL | Milestone Series recognizes organizations whose leadership, innovation, and commitment to community continue to shape culture, business, and influence across industries.

The National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP) Orange County Chapter stands as one of the region’s most influential voices advancing sustainable Hispanic homeownership and economic growth through real estate.

NAHREP Orange County Chapter  will be recognized during the HL | Milestone Series — Orange County, taking place on April 30, 2026. This invitation-only reception brings together a curated audience of executives, entrepreneurs, and community leaders for an evening of connection, conversation, and recognition.

👉 Event details: https://bit.ly/4qEref1

As a local chapter of the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals, NAHREP Orange County is part of a nationally recognized network committed to increasing Latino homeownership by empowering real estate professionals, advocating for policy change, and fostering generational wealth-building opportunities.

In Orange County one of the most competitive and dynamic housing markets in the country—the chapter has become a trusted connector between industry professionals, financial institutions, and the community. Through educational programming, policy engagement, and strategic partnerships, NAHREP OC equips its members with the tools, insights, and relationships needed to lead in today’s evolving real estate landscape.


Mission & Impact

NAHREP’s mission is clear and focused: to advance sustainable Hispanic homeownership.

At the local level, the Orange County Chapter brings this mission to life by:

  • Creating pathways to homeownership through education and outreach
  • Supporting real estate professionals with leadership development and market intelligence
  • Advocating for policies that expand access to housing and lending opportunities
  • Promoting financial literacy and long-term wealth strategies within the community

Their work is not only about transactions—it is about transformation. By elevating the role of Latino professionals in real estate and lending, NAHREP OC contributes to broader economic mobility and community stability.


Leadership & Board Influence

What distinguishes NAHREP Orange County is the strength and diversity of its leadership.

The chapter’s board is composed of respected professionals across real estate, mortgage lending, banking, and housing advocacy. These leaders bring:

  • Market Expertise – Active professionals navigating today’s housing and lending environment
  • Cultural Understanding – A deep connection to the communities they serve
  • Strategic Vision – The ability to align local efforts with national housing trends and policy priorities
  • Collaborative Leadership – Partnerships with lenders, developers, nonprofits, and civic leaders

This collective expertise allows the organization to operate at a high level—bridging industry and community while delivering meaningful, measurable impact.


Why We Are Honoring NAHREP® Orange County Chapter

The HL | Milestone Series recognizes organizations that are shaping business, community, and culture through leadership and influence.

NAHREP Orange County Chapter is being honored for:

  • Championing homeownership as a pathway to generational wealth
  • Elevating Latino professionals within the real estate and financial sectors
  • Advancing conversations around housing access, lending, and economic opportunity
  • Serving as a connector between community needs and industry solutions

At a time when housing affordability and access remain critical issues, NAHREP OC’s work is both timely and essential. Their leadership reflects a long-term commitment to strengthening families, building wealth, and creating opportunity across Orange County and beyond.

The HL | Milestone Series is a national platform designed to celebrate leadership across business, community, education, and innovation.

The 2026 HL | Milestone Series is made possible through the support of Wells Fargo, the series’ funding partner, whose commitment to community engagement and financial empowerment helps bring these important conversations and recognitions to life.

HL | Milestone – New York

HL | Milestone – New York

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.

Event Overview

Date: Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Time: 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: Bally’s Golf Links at Ferry Point
500 Hutchinson Riv Pkwy, Bronx, NY 10465

5:00 PM – Guest Arrival & Networking Reception
Guests arrive and enjoy an evening of conversation, hors d’oeuvres, and relationship building in a curated room of influence.

5:30 PM – Welcome Remarks
Opening comments from Richard Sandoval and a welcome from our Funding Partner, Wells Fargo.

5:45 PM – Leadership Forum
Capital, Real Estate & Your Wealth Strategy in a Changing Economy
A timely conversation featuring leaders from business, finance, and real estate.

6:30 PM – HL | Milestone Recognition Ceremony
Honoring individuals and organizations whose leadership, influence, and legacy continue to shape our communities.

2026 HL | Milestone Series – New York Honorees

  • Ana Ceppi
    Co-Founder, Multicultural Growth Partners
  • Saraciea J. Fennell
    Founder, The Bronx Is Reading / Bronx Book Festival
  • Esperanza Teasdale
    Executive & Fractional Chief Marketing Officer
  • Elizabeth C. Yeampierre
    Executive Director, UPROSE
  • Felix Cabreja
    CEO, A&H Security
  • Fernando Brinn
    CEO, The Brinn Group
  • Diana Caba
    Vice President for Community & Economic Development, Hispanic Federation
  • Michelle Herrera Mulligan
    Vice President & Associate Publisher, Primero Sueño Press, an imprint of Atria Books and Simon & Schuster
  • Maria Rios
    CEO, Classico Building Maintenance Inc.
  • NAWBO NYC
    Recognized for its leadership in supporting women business owners throughout New York City.
  • Rhina Valentin
    TV Host, Actress, Producer

7:15 PM – Closing Remarks & Group Photo
A celebration of our honorees followed by final networking opportunities.

7:30 PM – Event Concludes

VENUE 

Location:

Bally’s Golf Links at

Ferry Point  500 Hutchinson Riv Pkwy

Bronx, NY 10465

Leadership Forum

Capital, Real Estate and Your Wealth Strategy in a Changing Economy

The evening will feature a timely leadership forum focused on how business owners, professionals, and community leaders are navigating today’s changing economy.

The discussion will explore:

  • Capital and access to lending
  • Real estate and wealth-building strategies
  • Business growth in uncertain markets
  • How economic shifts are influencing investment decisions
  • The role of trusted relationships in long-term financial planning

This conversation is designed for leaders who are making decisions, building relationships, and thinking about what comes next.

Nelson Ramos - Moderator

Senior Business Growth Strategy Consultant, Customer Growth Segments, Wells Fargo

Nelson Ramos is a Senior Business Growth Strategy Consultant with Wells Fargo & Company  where he develops growth strategies and strategic partnerships designed to expand sustainable homeownership and strengthen community impact.

Based in the Northeast, Nelson supports initiatives across Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey, working closely with organizations, community leaders, and financial professionals to create pathways to homeownership and long-term financial stability.

He brings more than 30 years of experience in financial services, including 26 years in the mortgage industry. Throughout his career, Nelson has held leadership roles with JPMorgan Chase, SunTrust Bank, Radian Guaranty and Charles Schwab Bank.

A respected voice in housing and community development, Nelson previously served as Chair of the Board of Governors for NAHREP, where he helped advance policies and initiatives that promote Hispanic homeownership nationwide.

Lucy Wu - Panelist

Lucy Wu is a Corcoran Group real estate agent, entrepreneur, and lifelong New Yorker who brings an unusually layered lens to real estate in The City. Born in Shanghai, China and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Lucy spent more than twenty years inside iconic luxury fashion lifestyle houses including Vera Wang and Ralph Lauren before turning that operator’s mindset fully toward real estate.

Today, Lucy averages $20M in annual sales volume as a solo agent across New York City, representing buyers, sellers, and landlords in condos, co-ops, and townhomes. She is ranked among the top 1.5% of real estate professionals nationwide by RealTrends Verified and is named annually to Corcoran’s Million-Dollar Club. Beyond being an agent, Lucy is a personal real estate investor across New York, Connecticut, and Florida, and a coach to her clients globally, as they navigate one of the most complex housing markets in the country.

Lucy is an active chapter leader with NAHREP Manhattan the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals’ local chapter — where she helps drive community outreach, educational programming, and business networking for Manhattan’s real estate community. She also serves as an Agent Ambassador to REBNY’s Deal of the Year and Member in Need Fund Committee, where she helps fundraise and grow member engagement for the annual event. Lucy has spoken publicly on housing access and prepared a congressional briefing for the offices of New York State Congressman Dan Goldman and Senator Chuck Schumer on the NAHREP State of Hispanic Homeownership Report.

She leads with strategy, emotional intelligence, and heart the same qualities that have made her a trusted advisor across New York’s real estate, investment, and business community.

Eric Gotsch - Panelist

Eric Gotsch is the New York Market Manager for Wells Fargo Home Lending. In this role, he oversees, manages, and develops the company’s Home Mortgage retail sales team in New York City and Long Island, which includes 3 regional offices and more than 120 employees. He is responsible for the successful execution of home mortgage and asset management services to a wide range of customers across the five boroughs, as well as Nassau and Suffolk counties.

 

Gotsch, who joined Wells Fargo in 2010, has more than 39 years of experience in the residential real estate industry. Prior to Wells Fargo, he spent 20 years at JP Morgan Chase and served as Head of Retail Mortgage Production for their Northeast Division

 

He is graduate of the University of Maryland with a bachelor’s degree in finance and earned his MBA from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Esperanza Teasdale - Panelist

Esperanza Teasdale is an award-winning executive, certified executive coach, and Founder, Mariposa Zenith a leadership advisory firm focused on helping executives lead with greater intentionality, mindfulness, and cultural fluency.

Over a distinguished corporate career spanning more than 30 years, Esperanza held senior leadership roles at PepsiCo and Unilever, where she led growth strategies for globally recognized brands including Pepsi and Propel and managed relationships with major retailers such as 7-Eleven and Dollar General.

She is widely recognized for her expertise in integrating business strategy, creativity, and analytics to deliver measurable growth while helping organizations connect more effectively with multicultural consumers.

In 2025, Esperanza launched Mariposa Zenith and introduced two signature frameworks: The Cultural Fluency Advantage and The Mindful Leadership Advantage, which combine executive coaching, inclusivity, and mindfulness to help leaders and organizations thrive.

Her many honors include induction into the American Marketing Association New York Hall of Fame, recognition as Hispanic Marketer of the Year, Campaign US’s “Female Frontier” award, and inclusion in People en Español’s “25 Most Powerful Women” list.

Among her notable achievements, she led the launch of PepsiCo’s Juntos Crecemos initiative, which helped drive significant growth while supporting Hispanic-owned small businesses across the United States.

Lisa Sorin - Panelist

President, Bronx Chamber of Commerce

Lisa Sorin is President of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce and the first woman to lead the organization in its history. She also made history as the Chamber’s first female Board Chair, helping pave the way for a new generation of women leaders in business and community development.

Under Lisa’s leadership, the Bronx Chamber has expanded its role as a powerful advocate for businesses throughout the borough, supporting entrepreneurs, strengthening strategic partnerships, and promoting policies that advance economic opportunity.

Lisa is widely recognized as one of the Bronx’s most influential civic and business leaders. She serves on the boards of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Chamber Alliance of New York State, New York State Choice Savings Program, and Bronx Council on the Arts. She also serves on the New York City Districting Commission and the Small Business Advisory Commission, where she co-chairs the Licensing, Fees, and Fines Subcommittee.

Before joining the Bronx Chamber, Lisa served as Executive Director of the Westchester Square Business Improvement District, where she led economic development initiatives, enhanced marketing efforts, and launched community programs that increased engagement and revitalized the district.

She is also the founder of LAS Consulting Services, Inc., a firm that provided marketing, public relations, and event planning services to nonprofit and corporate clients for more than 15 years.

Lisa holds a master’s degree in Business Leadership and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Concordia College. She established the Bronx Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Program, which annually awards scholarships to young women in the Bronx during Women’s History Month.

Her leadership has earned her numerous honors, including recognition as one of the “25 Most Influential Women of the Bronx” by the Bronx Times Reporter and accolades from organizations such as the American Red Cross, the American Cancer Society, and New York City Parks and Recreation.

A lifelong advocate for the Bronx, Lisa is driven by a commitment to strengthening her community and inspiring future generations through leadership, service, and opportunity.

Sandra Bonilla Panelist

Financial Advisor, Wells Fargo Advisors

Sandra Bonilla is a Financial Advisor with Wells Fargo Advisors and a member of The Voyage Group. She works with individuals, families, and small business owners to help them build, preserve, and transfer wealth through thoughtful, personalized financial planning.

Sandra began her career in financial services while attending university in 2011. After earning her degree in Finance and International Business from Fairfield University, she joined Morgan Stanley before moving to Wells Fargo Advisors, where she developed her passion for wealth management.

She takes a comprehensive approach to financial planning, helping clients navigate retirement planning, education funding, wealth preservation, charitable giving, and tax-efficient investment strategies. Sandra carefully reviews each client’s full financial picture, including cash reserves, liability management, investments, insurance, estate planning strategies, and employee stock options.

Known for her high level of personal service, Sandra also helps develop customized investment plans and leads social media initiatives that create new ways to connect with clients and the broader community.

Beyond her professional work, Sandra is deeply committed to giving back. She serves as a financial coach with The Women’s Development Council and is a board member of Lifting Up Westchester.

When she is not advising clients, Sandra enjoys travel, fitness, and outdoor activities including running, skiing, and hiking.

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.”

ORANGE COUNTY HL | MILESTONE KICK OFF EVENT

ANNOUNCING THE MILESTONE SERIES

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

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Aspiration &  Affluence

Aspiration & Affluence

Aspiration & Affluence

A Closer Look at Latinas Defining Wealth in the U.S.

There is a quiet shift underway.

Across the United States, Latinas are moving beyond conversations about participation and potential. They are building assets, strengthening balance sheets, leading organizations, investing in property, prioritizing health, and thinking generationally. The narrative is evolving from earning to ownership, from visibility to influence.

This March, during Women’s History Month, HL | Culture & Influence will launch an ongoing documentary-style series titled:

Aspiration and Affluence: A Closer Look at Latinas Defining Wealth in the U.S.

This series will examine how Latinas are redefining what wealth means—not as status or spectacle, but as agency, stewardship, and long-term strategy.

Why This Series Now

The U.S. Hispanic market generates more than $3 trillion in annual economic output. Behind those numbers are women executives, entrepreneurs, professionals, investors, and community leaders who are shaping financial futures with discipline and intention.

For years, our editorial lens has highlighted leadership and enterprise. In this next chapter, we take the conversation further: how financial confidence changes decision-making; how career progression becomes asset-building; how aspiration matures into affluence with purpose.

This is not about consumption. It is about clarity.

What We Will Explore

Each installment will approach wealth-building through lived experience and data, examining:

  • From Ambition to Assets: The transition from income to ownership

  • Financial Literacy & Strategy: Investing, retirement planning, and risk management

  • Home & Real Estate: Property as foundation and legacy

  • Career & Equity: Leadership, negotiation, and enterprise value

  • Health & Longevity: Protecting the asset that makes everything possible

  • Presentation & Presence: How confidence and refinement evolve over time

  • Mobility & Lifestyle Choices: Decisions that reflect alignment, not impulse

  • Intergenerational Planning: Teaching wealth with intention

Our aim is to present a measured, research-informed look at affluence as a reflection of maturity and influence—how wealth is earned, how it is managed, and how it is passed forward.

A Documentary Lens with Purpose

In keeping with HL’s commitment to clarity and credibility, this series will pair real stories with current research, industry insight, and thoughtful analysis. We will profile women across sectors and geographies, explore patterns and progress, and ask the harder questions about access, responsibility, and legacy.

Women’s History Month is a meaningful starting point not only to celebrate achievement, but to examine the structural shifts shaping the next generation.

This is more than a theme.
It is a reflection of where we are and where we are going.

Aspiration and Affluence begins this March on Hispaniclifestyle.com.

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Hispanic Lifestyle Relaunches as HL: A Reimagined Platform Celebrating Culture & Influence

Hispanic Lifestyle Relaunches as HL: A Reimagined Platform Celebrating Culture & Influence

Hispanic Lifestyle Relaunches as HL: A Reimagined Platform Celebrating Culture & Influence

The climate of our country and the media industry has changed drastically over the last 11 months. To stay relevant, to remain useful, and to continue honoring our community, it became necessary to rebrand, reimagine, and completely rework how we show up and serve.
Through my travels, conversations with colleagues, advertisers, creators, and community leaders and by watching the trends shaping our world I came to one undeniable conclusion: the Latino community continues to be underserved, undervalued, and underrepresented across far too many sectors.

Hispanic Lifestyle now known as “HL | Culture & Influence”

Our community has earned the right to be respected, acknowledged, and celebrated. And while we do not speak with a single voice, we represent a powerful spectrum of perspectives, cultures, and lived experiences. We must do a better job of telling our stories, highlighting our achievements, and being consistent, diligent, and unapologetic about showcasing our excellence.

After 30 years of producing content and events, I remain driven to do better—to go deeper, expand our reach, and collaborate with partners who share our commitment to elevating the voices that deserve to be heard.

At HL, our purpose is simple:
to capture the culture and influence of the community and ensure our stories are seen, valued, and remembered.

With our relaunch, Hispanic Lifestyle now known as HL | Culture & Influence enters a bold new chapter in our evolution as a media company. In our corner of the internet, our editorial focus remains clear: to raise, amplify, and honor the voices and stories shaping our community’s future.

In the months ahead, you will see expanded editorial categories, new online series, renewed storytelling, and fresh opportunities for engagement and collaboration. I invite you to explore the new HispanicLifestyle.com and join us as we build the next chapter of community-centered media.

Thank you for being part of our journey. Buckle up friends, there is so much more we are ready to share with you.

Richard Sandoval,
President & Executive Producer, HL

Please support our efforts by joining HL Partner Network

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Introducing | Money, Finances & Wealth

Introducing | Money, Finances & Wealth

Introducing | Money, Finances & Wealth

Hispanic Lifestyle Launches New Editorial Category: Money, Finances & Wealth

A platform dedicated to financial literacy, empowerment, and generational wealth for the Latino community

Hispanic Lifestyle, a media platform recognized for capturing the passions of the community and celebrating Latino achievement for more than 30 years, is proud to announce the launch of a new editorial category and content series: Money, Finances & Wealth.  Designed to promote financial literacy and empower individuals, families, and entrepreneurs, this new category will provide practical insights, expert perspectives, and culturally relevant guidance on topics such as budgeting, homeownership, credit management, business finance, retirement planning, and building generational wealth.

“Financial education is one of the most impactful tools we can provide our community, Through our new Money, Finances & Wealth category, we want to help our audience understand how to make informed financial decisions, manage their businesses more effectively, and create long-term economic stability.”

Richard Sandoval

President , Hispanic Lifestyle

What to Expect from the “Money, Finances & Wealth” Series

Financial Literacy Education
Household budgeting, debt management, credit, and emergency savings

Homeownership & Mortgage Insights
Preparing to buy, refinancing options, and long-term value strategies

Small Business & Entrepreneurship Finance
Understanding business finances, separating personal from corporate assets, planning for growth, and access to capital

Investing, Retirement & Legacy Planning
Building long-term stability and generational wealth

Expert Contributions & Partner Features
In collaboration with financial professionals, banks, advisors, and organizations committed to community advancement

Integrated Multimedia & Series Content
The new category will be supported by original Hispanic Lifestyle programming including:

  • The Business of Surviving to Thrive (online docuseries)
  • Home, Tu Casa (video series featuring homeownership and family prosperity)
  • Culture & Influence (video podcast launching December 2025)
  • HL Update (bi-weekly newsletter)

Special Financial Spotlight segments throughout 2026
Select partners will also be featured in expert video segments, podcast interviews, and educational toolkits, providing practical guidance to our audience.

First Articles & Features to Debut This Quarter

  • “5 Steps to Separating Business & Personal Finances”
  • “Mortgage Readiness: Preparing Your Family for Homeownership”
  • “How Latinas Are Leading the Path to Intergenerational Wealth”
  • Interview: “Financial Wellness Insights from Industry Experts”
Partnership Opportunities Available

Financial institutions, lending agencies, mortgage companies, certified financial planners, and community organizations are invited to collaborate in this new platform through content partnerships and educational sponsorship opportunities.

Sponsorship Opportunities
Tier Monthly Deliverables
Presenting Sponsor(Exclusive – 2 max) $3,500 Category naming rights + quarterly branded video segment + 2 featured articles + podcast guest segment
Financial Education Partner $2,000 1 expert article/month + homepage sidebar ad + inclusion in HL Update + resource link integration
Small Business Finance Sponsor $1,200 Feature in “The Business of Surviving to Thrive” + sponsored digital tools/downloads + social media promo
Supporting Partner $750 Logo in “Money & Wealth” section + mention in 1 newsletter/month + article sponsorship

6-month minimum commitment recommended to maximize storytelling impact.

Deliverables and opportunities are subject to change without notice.  Please contact Richard Sandoval at RDS@Hispaniclifestyle.com

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