HL | Milestone Series – Honors Frank Carbajal

HL | Milestone Series – Honors Frank Carbajal

HL | Milestone Series – Honors Frank Carbajal

Culture • Influence • Legacy

Some leaders build companies. Others dedicate their lives to building people, strengthening communities, and creating pathways for future generations to lead.

Frank Carbajal has spent his career doing exactly that.

Frank began his entrepreneurial journey in leadership development, quickly establishing himself as a respected voice dedicated to empowering the Latino community through education, mentorship, and leadership capacity building.

Frank Carbajal will be recognized during  our HL | Milestone Series – Silicon Valley event, taking place on June 17, 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/41B5Z3J

He is the Founder and President of Es Tiempo, LLC, a firm focused on developing leaders and helping individuals and organizations reach their highest potential. Throughout his career, Frank’s work has been guided by one consistent mission: creating opportunities for emerging leaders while strengthening communities through intentional leadership.

A respected author and thought leader, Frank is the co-author of Building the Latino Future and Latinx Business Success, publications that continue to inspire entrepreneurs, professionals, and future leaders across the country. He also co-authored El Futuro Latino, a publication distributed throughout 14 Latin American countries, including Mexico.

Frank’s leadership influence expanded nationally through his involvement with renowned management expert Ken Blanchard’s network of keynote speakers, where he helped organizations, executives, and business owners develop leadership strategies rooted in growth, purpose, and accountability.

Milestone Moments

  • Founder and President of Es Tiempo, LLC
  • Founder of the Silicon Valley Latino Leadership Summit (SVLLS)
  • Creator of one of Silicon Valley’s premier Latino leadership gatherings hosted at Stanford University and the Computer History Museum
  • Co-author of Building the Latino Future
  • Co-author of Latinx Business Success
  • Co-author of El Futuro Latino, distributed across 14 Latin American countries
  • Member of Ken Blanchard’s keynote speaker network
  • Longtime advocate for Latino leadership development and community empowerment

A Legacy of Leadership and Community Impact

Through the Silicon Valley Latino Leadership Summit, Frank has created a nationally respected platform that brings together influential voices from business, education, technology, entrepreneurship, and public service to inspire dialogue and leadership at the highest levels.

Hosted at premier venues such as Stanford University and the Computer History Museum, the summit has become a meaningful gathering place for conversations centered on leadership, opportunity, innovation, and the future of Latino influence in America.

A graduate of San José State University, Frank lives in Santa Clara, California, with his wife Molly. While his professional accomplishments are significant, Frank often says his greatest source of pride and inspiration comes from his three daughters.

His life’s work continues to reflect the philosophy behind Es Tiempo:

It’s time to lead.
It’s time to build.
It’s time to create lasting 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.

HL | Milestone Series – Honors Ana Ceppi

HL | Milestone Series – Honors Ana Ceppi

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 measurable business results.

Through her firm’s proprietary Cultural Elasticity™ framework, Ana works with organizations to unlock the economic value of culture—helping brands build stronger relationships with consumers while driving sustainable growth.

Ana Ceppi 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

Over the course of her career, Ana has built innovative business units, launched new market strategies, and consistently delivered results that have influenced how major corporations engage multicultural audiences.

Milestone Moments

  • Founded Multicultural Growth Partners to help companies convert cultural insights into measurable business growth.
  • Generated a business unit that contributed 36% of total sales.
  • Produced $65 million in net new revenue over a two-year period.
  • Delivered five consecutive years of double-digit brand growth.
  • Launched healthcare and financial services practices at Univision.
  • Established a multicultural practice at NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises that elevated the strategic value of Hispanic audiences.
  • Developed specialty services at American Express tailored to Hispanic and Latin American cardmembers.
  • Serves on the board of HACE.
  • Serves as Senior Advisor to Finhabits.

Ana’s career has been defined by a simple but powerful principle: when organizations truly understand culture, they create stronger connections, more relevant products, and better business outcomes.

From media and communications to financial services, she has repeatedly built what did not yet exist developing strategies and platforms that helped organizations recognize the value and influence of multicultural consumers.

Her leadership continues to shape the way companies think about growth, innovation, and the role of culture in business success.

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

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 Elizabeth C. Yeampierre

HL | Milestone Series – Honors Elizabeth C. Yeampierre

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.

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

Upcoming Events

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