The world of Latin music is hotter than ever, with infectious rhythms and innovative sounds taking center stage. But behind the chart-topping hits and sold-out stadiums stand a powerhouse of Latino leaders who are shaping the industry. From genre-bending musicians to visionary executives and strategic hitmakers, these individuals are breaking down barriers and bringing Latin music to a global audience. Meet the seven pioneers, power players, and rising stars who are redefining the soundscape of Latin music. Musicians 1. Bad Bunny Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, known professionally as Ba ..read more

Something special happens when individuals from different backgrounds put their heads together. Gustavo Cordo, vice president of corporate development and mergers and acquisitions (M&A) at MetLife, knows this well. As a financial executive with over two decades of global experience in corporate development, M&A, finance and strategy, the Argentine successfully leads cross-functional and multicultural teams through challenging global projects. No matter the project or the team that he’s leading, Cordo emphasizes a common objective: “Everyone has a voice.” He says, “We all have differen ..read more

Jorge Mancillas’s legal career first took shape in a first-grade field trip to a local courthouse. At the time, the six-year-old did not know any English—not having been put into an English as a Second Language (ESL) program at school—and spent the entire field trip not having any idea of what was being said. But he remembers a kind judge who changed his future forever. “I stayed in the back of the room, and when the judge finished giving her speech to us, she went around the room introducing herself to individual kids,” Mancillas says. “She realized I didn’t speak English, and so she did the ..read more

Jose Esquivel buys stuff. Lots and lots of stuff. He’s not a packrat, a collector, or a shopaholic—he’s the senior director of procurement at one of North America’s largest paint manufacturers, Behr Corporation. But Behr actually sells more than just paint. Esquivel is also tasked with sourcing the raw materials for the primers, stains, and finishes trusted by industry professionals, do-it-yourselfers, and everyone in between. Most companies in many industries employ a director of procurement, but Esquivel says his role at Behr is unusual because it is so strategic. He finds and buys all the ..read more

Mario Martinez does not have a crystal ball. He doesn’t cast spells or practice divination. He says there is no way to know the future—but he is excited for it. He is the senior director of infrastructure and cyberdefense at Plains All American, a Houston-based company that owns and operates midstream energy infrastructure and supplies logistics for crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids (NGL). So, why is the cyberdefense leader fired up for what may lie ahead? Martinez knows that both the oil and gas industry and the cybersecurity discipline are in the middle of rapid evolutions. Th ..read more

This week’s finance news offers a mixed bag for Latinos. While there’s positive momentum in Latin America’s economic recovery and growing representation in tech investment, challenges remain closer to home. There’s also a fintech expansion happening in Mexico—plus a look at rising mortgage rates and how they might affect Latino homeowners. Latin American Markets Heat Up A Bloomberg opinion piece this week gets behind JPMorgan’s bullishness on the future of economic development in Latin America. While Brazil and Mexico may be slowing down, Andean countries seem to be rebounding from COVID even ..read more

The fight for a healthy planet needs a diverse team of champions, and Latino environmental leaders are stepping up to the challenge. With a deep understanding of the environmental concerns facing their communities, Latinos are at the forefront of environmental justice, conservation efforts, and climate action. In fact, a majority of Latinos in the US recognize the urgency of climate change, both globally and in their own neighborhoods, according to Pew Research Center. This deep connection to the environment, coupled with a strong support for environmental policies, makes Latino leadership in ..read more

Latino film directors have made significant contributions to the film industry, bringing forth their unique perspectives and diverse storytelling to the big screen. These filmmakers come from various backgrounds within the Latino community, often enriching the stories they tell with authentic representation of diverse cultures. They often explore themes related to their cultural heritage and identity, as well as the challenges Latinos faced. The seven film directors listed below and their work highlights the richness of Latino culture and continues to inspire new generations of filmmakers. 1 ..read more

There aren’t many sports start-ups that can say they attracted the attention of a trailblazing, industry legend like American tennis player Billie Jean King. DRAFTED can. DRAFTED is the sports platform designed for Latinas on the field, in the stands, and operators in the front office. On their one-year anniversary, the tennis icon followed the company’s Instagram account. The company initially began as an editorial platform geared toward centering Latinas in sports. Now, DRAFTED has transformed to meet the demand of its community, evolving into a company that is equal parts storytelling, dat ..read more

There’s a lot of talk about empowered Latinas leading the way in business, politics, and sports. I must confess that—despite what many might think—I’m not the perfect picture of female empowerment. I’m actually pretty bad at empowering myself, let alone demanding my fair share when it comes to negotiating amidst today’s gender pay gap. Women currently earn about 16 percent less pay than men, according to Forbes. What’s more? Latinas are paid just 55 percent of what non-Hispanic white men are paid. It’s sad, but true. More often than I would like to admit, I have found myself negotiating down ..read more