Milestone Series

Milestone Series

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

Milestone | Judith Valles

HL | Milestone SeriesFor generations, Mayor Judith Valles represented the very best in public service. As an educator, trailblazer, and the first Hispanic elected Mayor of the City of San Bernardino, she dedicated her life to expanding opportunities for others while...

A Question Worth Asking

HL | Milestone SeriesHow a conversation between a high school student and artist Carlos Pérez became one of the most memorable moments of the HL | Milestone Series in Silicon Valley.Photos and article by Richard SandovalArtist and designer Carlos Pérez with Nicholas...

HL | Milestone Series – Honors Jazmin Diaz

Growth • Purpose • Impact When Jazmin Diaz founded Flourish Learning & Development, she transformed a lifetime of personal resilience, professional achievement, and leadership experience into a mission dedicated to helping others grow with intention, confidence,...

HL | Milestone Series – Honors Paleta Planeta

Family • Vision • Impact Some businesses begin with a business plan. Others begin with family. For brothers Luis Salazar, Mauricio Salazar, and Gabriel Salazar, the journey that would become Paleta Planeta started during one of the most uncertain periods in recent...

HL | Milestone Series – Honors Hilda Ramirez

Leadership • Opportunity • Impact For Hilda Ramirez, leadership has never been defined solely by transactions or titles. It has been measured by the opportunities she creates for others, the professionals she mentors, and the families she helps move closer to...

HL | Milestone Series – Honors Rocio Medina van Nierop

Purpose • Influence • Courage When Rocio Medina van Nierop co-founded Latinas in Tech in 2014, she set out to create opportunities for Latina professionals in an industry where representation at leadership levels remained limited. What began as a vision to support and...

HL | Milestone Series – Honors OSI Engineering

Leadership, Innovation & Community Impact Some companies are built to generate revenue. Others are built to create opportunity. OSI Engineering has accomplished both. In Silicon Valley, success is often measured by innovation, growth, and market influence. Yet the...

HL | Milestone Series – Honors Gloria Mirazo Gregor

Leadership, Influence & Legacy Throughout her career, Gloria Mirazo Gregor has helped families achieve one of life's most important milestones homeownership. As a respected mortgage banking executive and community leader, her influence extends beyond lending,...

HL | Milestone Series – Honors Dr. Marilyn Flores 

Breaking Barriers. Expanding Opportunity. Transforming Lives. When Dr. Marilyn Flores was appointed President of San José City College, she became the first Latina president in the institution's more than 100-year history a milestone that reflects decades of...

HL | Milestone Series – Honors Julian Cañete

Culture • Influence • Legacy Some leaders advocate for business. Others dedicate their careers to creating opportunities that allow businesses, entrepreneurs, and communities to thrive. Julian Cañete has spent more than two decades doing exactly that. As President and...

Women | Business | Wellness  Temecula, CA

Women | Business | Wellness Temecula, CA

Women | Business | Wellness Temecula, CA

Thursday – March 26, 2026

Temecula, CA — HL | Culture & Influence proudly announces the launch of its Women | Business | Wellness series in Temecula, presented in partnership with Macy’s Temecula.

This invitation-only evening gathering will take place from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM, bringing together accomplished women in business, entrepreneurship, and community leadership for a curated experience focused on growth, financial insight, personal wellness, and presentation style.

Produced by ReWork Media Group, Women | Business | Wellness reflects HL’s ongoing commitment to capturing the culture and influence of our community — and creating environments where meaningful relationships are built.

CONFIRM ATTENDANCE HERE


Evening Schedule

5:30 PM — Guest Arrival & Welcome Reception
Guests are welcomed with light refreshments while connecting with fellow professionals and community leaders in a relaxed networking setting.

6:00 PM — Welcome Remarks
Opening comments from the hosts of HL | Culture and Influence, produced by ReWork Media Group, along with acknowledgements of our partners and community supporters.

6:10 PM — Conversation: Business, Wellness & Financial Insight
A short moderated discussion highlighting perspectives on financial awareness, professional growth, and maintaining balance while navigating leadership and entrepreneurship.

6:35 PM — Presentation: Presentation Style & Personal Confidence
A brief presentation exploring how personal style and presentation can support professional confidence and leadership presence.

6:50 PM — Community Conversation & Networking
Guests are invited to continue the conversation, exchange ideas, and build meaningful connections with fellow attendees.

7:30 PM — Closing

PRESENTER

Genoveva L. Arellano is the Founder and President & CEO of Arellano Associates, Inc., a leading consulting firm specializing in public outreach and communications for transportation, urban planning, energy and water initiatives.

With more than 30 years of experience, Ms. Arellano has led the development of innovative engagement strategies that integrate digital tools, creative design, and inclusive community outreach. She provides strategic leadership on multi-jurisdictional infrastructure programs, including transportation, energy, water and other local planning projects, helping agencies incorporate meaningful public input into project development.

Her bilingual proficiency and deep connection to the Latino community have made her a trusted advisor for projects aimed at Spanish-speaking and underserved populations.

PRESENTER

Michelle Taylor is a senior operations executive with extensive experience in nonprofit financial counseling, housing programs, and regulatory compliance. At Credit.org, she serves as Senior Vice President of Business Operations, overseeing national programs in credit counseling, debt management, and housing stability. Her leadership ensures adherence to NFCC and HUD standards while advancing operational efficiency, staff development, and measurable client outcomes.

Michelle is recognized for building scalable systems, leading high-performing teams, and executing grant-funded programs with accuracy, accountability, and a commitment to financial empowerment. Her cross-agency experience makes her a trusted leader in implementing large-scale, mission-driven programs with both precision and empathy.

PRESENTER

Jackie Scott is the Director of the Inland Empire Women’s Business Center (IEWBC), where she leads efforts to help entrepreneurs start, grow, and scale successful businesses. A former entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience building and operating a wholesale distribution company, Jackie brings real-world insight to the founders and business owners she serves.

Beyond her role at IEWBC, Jackie is a recognized leader in the small business ecosystem. She serves on the CA WBC Network Steering Committee, chairs its Advocacy Committee, and holds board positions with the Microenterprise Collaborative Inland Southern California and the Association of Women’s Business Centers, where she also serves as Advocacy Committee Co-Chair.

COMMUNITY HOST PARTNERS

A Strategic Partnership

The collaboration with Macy’s Temecula reinforces the import

ance of presentation, confidence, and professional presence  elements that are often essential yet under-discussed components of leadership.

As a longstanding retail brand recognized for style and sophistication, Macy’s provides an ideal setting for conversations that bridge:

  • Personal presentation and executive presence

  • Financial clarity and wealth-building conversations

  • Entrepreneurship and career advancement

  • Wellness, balance, and sustainable leadership

This partnership elevates the experience beyond a traditional networking event. It becomes a statement about intentional growth.


Why Temecula? 

Located in the heart of Riverside County, Temecula represents economic momentum, entrepreneurial expansion, and a growing population of professional women shaping industries across the Inland region.

The evening format — 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM — allows guests to transition from their workday into a refined environment designed for thoughtful conversation and elevated connection.

This is not a large-scale conference.
It is not transactional networking.

Women | Business | Wellness is a curated room — intentional, intimate, and impact-driven.

CONFIRM ATTENDANCE HERE


What to Expect

Guests can anticipate:

  • A welcoming reception atmosphere

  • Structured conversations and short-format presentations

  • Insights on presentation style and professional positioning

  • Dialogue centered around business growth and financial awareness

  • Editorial coverage on Hispaniclifestyle.com and InlandValleyLiving.com

Each element is designed to encourage connection among women who lead with purpose and are actively shaping the future of business and community life in the region.


A Growing Series

The Temecula launch marks the beginning of a broader Women | Business | Wellness initiative that will continue to explore:

  • Personal brand and executive presence

  • Wealth, finances, and ownership

  • Entrepreneurship and scaling with intention

  • Lifestyle choices aligned with long-term goals

  • Health, mindset, and sustainable success

The series aligns with HL’s editorial theme: Defining Culture and Influence… in our community.


Attendance & Future Invitations

Attendance is extended to HL subscribers, HL Partner Network participants, and invited community leaders.

Those interested in learning more about future Women | Business | Wellness gatherings are encouraged to:

  • Subscribe to the HL Update newsletter

  • Explore participation through the HL Partner Network

  • Visit Hispaniclifestyle.com and InlandValleyLiving.com for updates

CONFIRM ATTENDANCE HERE


Women | Business | Wellness is more than an event.

It is an intentional gathering.
It is a platform for growth.
It is a reflection of the leadership and influence being defined every day by women in our community.

 

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Flour, Faith, and Sugar: Sweet Tooth 909 Bakery

Flour, Faith, and Sugar: Sweet Tooth 909 Bakery

Flour, Faith, and Sugar: Sweet Tooth 909 Bakery

Exclusive photos and article by Richard Sandoval | Hispanic Lifestyle

Sometimes the best stories begin with a scroll

After watching an Instagram post by Michelle Valles of NBC4 Los Angeles, curiosity and a serious sweet tooth led us east to Rialto, California, in the heart of the Inland Empire. What we discovered was more than a bakery. We found a family-owned business built on flour, faith, and sugar and a story that reflects the spirit of small business growth in the region.

Located on South Riverside Avenue, Sweet Tooth 909 Bakery has quickly become one of Rialto’s most talked-about local spots. Known for selling out early and drawing customers from across the Inland Empire, the bakery is the realization of a dream that began at home.

From Home Kitchen to Community Favorite

Founded in 2012 by Maribel Diaz, Sweet Tooth 909 started as a home-based baking operation. Word spread fast. What began with friends, neighbors, and social media posts soon turned into growing demand—and eventually the leap into a brick-and-mortar location.

Today, Maribel runs the bakery alongside her sister, Araceli Rodriguez, keeping the business rooted in family, culture, and community. Sweet Tooth 909 is often described as a Mexican family-owned bakery, a point of pride reflected in both its flavors and the way customers are welcomed through the door.

We arrived unannounced, cameras in hand, during the holiday season. Despite the busy pace, Maribel and Araceli took time to greet us, share their journey, and walk us through the space an interaction that says a lot about why customers keep coming back.

Faith in the Foundation

One of the most striking moments of our visit came during a conversation about the bakery’s construction. Maribel shared that while building out the space, she inscribed Bible quotations directly onto the wall studs placing her faith into the foundation long before the first pastry was sold.

Those words may be hidden behind drywall, but they remain central to the bakery’s purpose. It’s a reminder that for many small business owners, faith and perseverance are inseparable from entrepreneurship.

A Box Full of Favorites

Of course, no visit to Sweet Tooth 909 would be complete without tasting the offerings that have earned it a loyal following. We walked away with a box of treats that perfectly captured the bakery’s appeal:

  • Almond Croissant — flaky, buttery, and delicately sweet
  • Chocolate Chip Cookie — classic, comforting, and generously loaded
  • Strawberry Pastry — bright, balanced, and beautifully crafted
  • Cinnamon Roll — rich, warm, and perfect for the holiday season

Each item reflected care, consistency, and pride in craft qualities that define successful neighborhood bakeries.

A Growing Presence in the Inland Empire

Sweet Tooth 909’s popularity has been fueled not only by quality baking but also by strong community support and social media visibility. A viral moment in recent years helped expand its reach, drawing visitors from neighboring cities and reinforcing Rialto’s growing reputation as a destination for locally owned businesses.

Open limited days and often selling out by early afternoon, the bakery has become a reminder of what happens when preparation meets opportunity.

As the holiday season comes to a close, we extend our best wishes to Maribel Diaz, Araceli Rodriguez, and the entire Sweet Tooth 909 team for a prosperous and sweet 2026.

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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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