HL | Milestone Series – Honors Classico Building Maintenance

HL | Milestone Series – Honors Classico Building Maintenance

May 15, 2026 | Milestone

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 Maintenance, Maria has grown the firm into one of New York State’s most successful Minority Women Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (MWDBEs), delivering custodial building maintenance, construction cleaning, and trade labor services to some of the region’s most significant public and private development projects.

Classico Building Maintenance,will be recognized during the HL | Milestone Series — New York, taking place on May 20, 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 & RSVP: https://bit.ly/4bApDkE

Maria Rios’ milestone is defined by building a company that has helped shape New York City’s skyline while creating opportunities for workers, partners, and communities throughout the region.

Maria Rios, Classico Building Maintenance Inc.

From iconic infrastructure projects to mixed-use developments, Classico has contributed to some of New York City’s most recognizable projects, including Moynihan Train Hall, Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, Yankee Stadium, John F. Kennedy International Airport Terminal 8, and LaGuardia Airport.

Under Maria’s leadership, Classico has earned long-standing relationships with major developers, construction managers, and government agencies. The company has provided mechanical maintenance services for more than nine years at Bronx Terminal Market, supported the redevelopment of JFK Terminal 8, and delivered multi-year services for La Central.

Maria’s accomplishments have been recognized by the Bronx Borough President, the New York State Comptroller, chambers of commerce, and industry organizations. She is also a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program and other executive development initiatives that helped strengthen her entrepreneurial journey.

Milestone Moments

  • President and CEO of Classico Building Maintenance, one of New York’s leading MWDBE firms.
  • Delivered services on landmark projects including Moynihan Train Hall, JFK Terminal 8, and LaGuardia Airport.
  • Built long-term partnerships with top developers, contractors, and public agencies.
  • Completed the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program.
  • Recognized by government, business, and community organizations for entrepreneurial achievement.
  • Created a company that continues to generate jobs and economic opportunity throughout New York City.

Maria D. Rios’ leadership reflects the power of entrepreneurship, resilience, and a commitment to excellence. Her work demonstrates that business success and community impact can go hand in hand.

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 Series – Honors Saraciea J. Fennell

HL | Milestone Series – Honors Saraciea J. Fennell

May 14, 2026 | Milestone

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 readers throughout the Bronx and beyond.

A Brooklyn-born, Bronx-raised Black Honduran American writer, editor, and publicist, Saraciea is the founder of The Bronx is Reading and Honduran Garifuna Writers. Through her work, she has created spaces where Black and Latine stories are not only shared, but championed.

Saraciea J. Fennell will be recognized during the HL | Milestone Series — New York, taking place on May 20, 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 & RSVP: https://bit.ly/4bApDkE

Her milestone is defined by creating platforms that expand access to literature, foster cultural pride, and help emerging writers find their path to publication.

Through The Bronx Book Festival, now celebrating its ninth year, Saraciea has helped distribute more than 6,000 free books to members of the Bronx community while connecting aspiring writers with editors, agents, and publishing professionals. Those efforts have already helped several Bronx writers secure book deals with major publishers.

As an award-winning editor, Saraciea has shaped nationally recognized anthologies including The Black Girl Survives in This One and Wild Tongues Can’t Be Tamed. Her writing and editorial work has appeared in LatinaMediaCo, Refinery29, Mitú, and The Washington Post.

Her work continues to demonstrate that storytelling is more than an art form—it is a tool for representation, empowerment, and lasting community impact.

Milestone Moments

  • Award-winning writer, editor, and publicist
  • Founder of The Bronx is Reading and The Bronx Book Festival
  • Celebrating nine years of the Bronx Book Festival
  • Helped provide more than 6,000 free books to the Bronx community
  • Connected emerging writers with publishing professionals, leading to multiple major publishing deals
  • Editor of The Black Girl Survives in This One and Wild Tongues Can’t Be Tamed

Saraciea J. Fennell’s leadership reflects the power of storytelling to build community, amplify voices, and create opportunities for future generations.

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 Series – Honors Diana Caba

HL | Milestone Series – Honors Diana Caba

May 13, 2026 | Milestone

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 Hispanic Federation, Diana leads one of the organization’s most significant and far-reaching portfolios over $100 million in investments focused on digital equity, financial capability, workforce development, immigrant inclusion, and community resilience.

Diana Caba will be recognized during the HL | Milestone Series — New York, taking place on May 20, 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 & RSVP: https://bit.ly/4bApDkE

Her milestone is defined by turning community-rooted insights into large-scale solutions that create measurable results.

With more than two decades of experience in social impact and public policy, Diana has built a reputation as a strategic leader who bridges philanthropy, government, and private sector partnerships to advance equitable economic development. Her work has helped communities access technology, strengthen small businesses, improve financial stability, and build pathways to upward mobility.

Since joining Hispanic Federation in 2014, Diana has played a key role in expanding the organization’s national impact. In her current leadership role, she sets strategy, establishes performance metrics, oversees compliance and reporting, and mentors senior staff responsible for implementing high-impact initiatives across multiple regions.

Milestone Moments

  • Leads a $100+ million multi-year investment portfolio focused on community and economic development.
  • Oversees initiatives spanning digital equity, workforce development, financial capability, and immigrant inclusion.
  • Builds strategic partnerships with federal and state agencies, national foundations, and private sector leaders.
  • Develops measurement frameworks to track impact and support continuous learning.
  • Serves as a trusted advisor in national discussions on technology and economic policy.
  • Has dedicated more than 20 years to advancing economic opportunity for underserved communities.

Diana Caba’s leadership reflects the power of combining policy expertise, strategic partnerships, and a deep commitment to community impact. Her work continues to expand access to the resources, tools, and opportunities families need to thrive.

Through her vision and execution, Diana is helping ensure that economic growth reaches the communities that have historically been left out of the conversation.

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 Series – Honors The Brinn Group

HL | Milestone Series – Honors The Brinn Group

May 12, 2026 | Milestone

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 Brinn, the firm has earned a reputation for bringing together the right stakeholders to move important projects forward—whether supporting a real estate development, expanding a business initiative, or helping nonprofit organizations strengthen their impact.

The Brinn Group will be recognized during the HL | Milestone Series — New York, taking place on May 20, 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 & RSVP: https://bit.ly/4bApDkE

Fernando Brinn’s milestone is defined by his ability to build trust, create meaningful partnerships, and guide clients through the public affairs and community relations process with credibility and strategic insight.

Fernando L. Brinn

The Brinn Group specializes in:

  • Community and stakeholder engagement
  • Government and public affairs strategy
  • Coalition building
  • Grassroots advocacy
  • Strategic communications
  • Business development consulting

From neighborhood-based nonprofits to major corporate and development projects, the firm provides clients with the relationships and strategic guidance needed to achieve results while maintaining strong community ties.

Throughout his career, Fernando Brinn has demonstrated that influence is built on relationships, credibility, and a genuine understanding of how communities and institutions work together.

As CEO of The Brinn Group, he continues to help shape projects and initiatives that contribute to economic development and long-term community growth throughout New York City 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 Series – Honors Elizabeth C. Yeampierre

HL | Milestone Series – Honors Elizabeth C. Yeampierre

May 12, 2026 | Milestone

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 community-based organization, she has led transformative efforts to address environmental inequities while advocating for community-driven economic development, renewable energy, and climate resilience.

Elizabeth C. Yeampierre will be recognized during the HL | Milestone Series — New York, taking place on May 20, 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 & RSVP: https://bit.ly/4bApDkE

Her milestone is defined by a lifetime commitment to environmental and climate justice elevating the voices of historically underserved communities and helping ensure they are represented in policy discussions at the local, national, and global levels.

A nationally respected attorney and advocate, Yeampierre made history as the first Latina to serve as Chair of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s National Environmental Justice Advisory Council. In that role, she helped shape federal conversations on environmental justice and equitable climate policy.

She also founded the NYC Climate Justice Youth Summit, creating a platform that empowers young people to engage directly in the climate movement and become the next generation of leaders.

Through her work with UPROSE and her broader advocacy, Elizabeth C. Yeampierre continues to demonstrate that effective leadership begins with listening to the community and building solutions rooted in justice, sustainability, and long-term impact.

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.