Overview

LatinoLEAD offers the opportunity for Latinos in the Twin Cities community to come together to define the narrative, drive change and advance their influence, success and power across all sectors.

Our members reflect a wide diversity in thought, experience and expertise – enriching each of us individually and strengthening us collectively.

Cultural

  • Arts organization professionals
  • Media
  • Artists, actors & writers

Economic

  • Corporate executives & managers
  • Business professionals
  • Services providers

Civic

  • Elected officials
  • Community leaders

Academic

  • Educators
  • Students
  • Interns

Non-Profit

  • Organization leaders
  • Foundation leaders
  • Thought leaders
  • Philanthropy

Member benefits

  • Being part of an organization of Latinos who want to make a difference in their communities
  • The opportunity to influence change – through your work, community involvement, volunteering, political engagement, speaking and networking
  • The opportunity to associate with a community of like-minded, committed Latinos
  • Being able to add and edit your personal profile and photo in the LatinoLEAD directory
  • Providing member visibility and accessibility through directory profiles available to all site visitors

Terms of membership

  • Agree to participate in accordance with the core values and guiding principles of LatinoLEAD
  • Agree to actively support LatinoLEAD civic actions, lending your name or social capital
  • Attend consortium meetings and events
  • Participate in other ways, such as hosting a meeting, joining an Action Team, or lending support as a resource to LatinoLEAD in an advisory capacity

How to become a member

Currently there are no dues to be a LatinoLEAD member. To join, we ask that prospective members review and agree to our terms of membership listed above.

There are two ways to become a member of LatinoLEAD:

  1. You can sign up here through our online New Member Registration form. Upon agreeing to act in accordance with our core values and guiding principles, you will receive an email welcome confirmation, which will allow you to log in to add and edit your personal profile and photo in the LatinoLEAD directory. We suggest you also sign up to receive LatinoLEAD e-blast notices with meeting reminders and agendas so you can plan on attending the next scheduled meeting.
  2. Attend a LatinoLEAD meeting as a guest.   If you choose, you can sign up to become a member at the meeting, or you can sign up later online.  To attend as a guest:
    • A LatinoLEAD member may invite you personally or you may reach out to an existing member and ask to be sponsored as that member’s guest to a LatinoLEAD meeting. You can sign up to become a member at the meeting, or if you prefer, you can sign up later online.
    • Contact LatinoLEAD Chair Luz Maria Frias at lfrias@mplsfoundation.org to introduce yourself and let her know you would like to attend.

At each LatinoLEAD meeting all guests have the opportunity to introduce themselves and network before and after the meeting. It’s a great way to get to know other members. Members are also profiled in our member directory.

If you have any questions, please contact Luz Maria Frias at lfrias@mplsfoundation.org

2016 Meeting highlights

January

  • Topic: Leadership, Power, and Influence in our State’s Education System
    Speaker: Valeria Silva, Superintendent, Saint Paul Public Schools

March

  • Topic: Voter Engagement Efforts in Latino Communities
    Speakers: Maya Santamaria, President, Midwest Latino Entertainment and Talent / CEO, Santamaria Broadcasting & Emilia Gonzalez Avalos, Executive Director, Navigate MN

May

  • Topic: Latino LEAD Website Launch
    Speaker: Liz Pangerl, CasaValenciallc.com

July

  • Topic: Legislative Updates
    Speakers: Senator Patricia Torres Ray, Representative Carlos Mariani, MCLA Executive Director Henry Jimenez

August

  • Annual Summer Cook-out held at Theodore Wirth Park, Minneapolis, MN

September

  • Topic: “We are Latino LEAD” Social Media Campaign Launch
    Speakers: Alberto Monserrate, Melisa Franzen, Marc Valencia and Viviana Galindo of NewPublica

November

  • Topic: Social Media Campaign Update and State Board & Commission Appointments
    Speakers: Alberto Monserrate, New Publica and Andrew Olson, Office of Governor Mark Dayton

December

  • Annual Holiday Party held at Profile Event Center, Minneapolis, MN
2015 Meeting highlights

January

  • Topic: Netting results through networks
    Speakers: Panel of corporate Latino employee resource groups

February

  • Topic: Just ask leadership
    Guest Speaker: Gary Cohen

March

  • Topic: The ABCs of preparing for corporate board service
    Guest Speaker: Esperanza Guerrero Anderson, Guerrero-Anderson, Inc.

April

  • Topic: Boards, Commissions & Task Forces
    Guest Speaker: Steve Simon, Secretary of State, Minnesota Office of the Secretary of State

May

  • Topic: Hiring people of color to fill state level vacancies
    Guest Speakers: From the Office of the Governor, State of Minnesota; Katie Troyer, Director of Diversity and Inclusion and Anika Ward, Statewide Executive Recruiter, MN Management and Budget

June

  • Topic: The impact of media on the perception of Latinos in Minnesota
    Guest Speakers: Alejandra Matos, Education reporter for Minneapolis Star Tribune, Melissa Colorado from KARE11 with Alberto Monserrate, CEO of NewPublica as moderator

July

  • Annual Summer BBQ held at Keller Regional Park, Maplewood, MN

August

  • Topic: Where we’ve been and where we’re headed
    Presented by Luz Maria Frias and José González

September

  • Topic: Employee & Labor Relations
    Guest Speaker: Mr. Jim Rowader, Vice President, General Counsel Employee and Labor Relations at Target

November

  • Topic: 2016 Legislative Agenda
    Guest Speaker: Representative Carlos Mariani (DFL) District: 65B

December

  • Annual Holiday Party held at the Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, MN