2008 Hispanic Executive Summit

Successful gathering of Hispanic business leaders!

The National Society of Hispanic MBAs held its 5th Annual Hispanic Executive Summit at the Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel in Anaheim, California, which saw more than 150 Hispanic business leaders in attendance during the 3-day event on April 24, 2008.

The Hispanic Executive Summit is a stimulating pursuit by NSHMBA to unite new and existing business leaders and entrepreneurs within the professional Hispanic community. This premier professional development opportunity for the dynamic Hispanic business individual is an assemblage of top Hispanic executives and business experts, director level and above with 10 or more years of management experience, from companies across the country, whose goals to impart and absorb experiences and knowledge were shared during this unique networking and educational event.

The 2008 Hispanic Executive Summit program was host to prominent Hispanic leaders from across the U.S. for professional development, governance, and leadership sessions developed in partnership with the UCLA Anderson School of Management, perennially ranked among the top-tier business schools in the world. Through educational and practice, executives gained insight into becoming better leaders and mentors in our global economy.

This year, Charles Patrick Garcia, president of Sterling Hispanic Capital Markets Group, began the summit with his presentation of “Why and How to Join a Corporate Board.” The panelists included Regina Montoya, CEO of New America Alliance; Cari Dominguez, former chair of the U.S. Equal Opportunity Commission and director of Manpower, Inc.; Michael Montelongo, senior vice-president and CAO of Sodexho; and Luis G. Nogales, managing partner of Nogales Investors, LLC.

The second seminar, also led by Charles Patrick Garcia, addressed the subject, “How to Work With an Executive Search Firm to Join a Corporate Board.” On the panel were Jeff Hodge, partner and president of Hodge/Niederer/Cariani/Lindsay; Caroline W. Nahas, managing director of Southern California Korn/Ferry International; and Bruce Lachenauer, manager of Los Angeles and Orange County offices of Spencer Stuart.

Dr. Erika Hayes, associate professor at Darden School of Business, directed a track session on building trust, building allies. Dr. Bernardo Ferdman, professor at Marshall Goldsmith School of Management at Alliant International University, led a track session on finding and using one’s own voice when dealing with conflict inside the organization. The final presentation focused on networking and mentoring and was given by Dr. Donna Maria Blancero, vice-president of Research for NSHMBA, and the editor of The Business Journal of Hispanic Research.

The attendees of the NSHMBA 2008 Hispanic Executive Summit garnered:

• First-hand access to renowned faculty
• Expertise through examination and sharing of best business practices
• Insight into integrating academic frameworks and real-world experience to generate new and better ways to run organizations
• Knowledge from industry experts and business leaders on alternative perspectives
• Exposure to various business viewpoints
• Skills to sharpen their organizational and personal leadership approaches
• Powerful techniques that can be immediately implemented upon their return to work
• Pride from engaging in a supportive environment designed for debate and discussion
• Access to an unparalleled networking opportunity to promote long-lasting personal and business relationships with current and future customers, suppliers, and allies.

During the 2008 Hispanic Executive Summit, Patricia Romero Cronin was recognized by the National Society of Hispanic MBAs (NSHMBA) as its 2008 Ultimate Hispanic Executive. Lourdes Hassler, NSHMBA CEO, and Marty Ravel of BMW presented the award during a special reception at the Angels Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. This distinguished honor is awarded annually to an outstanding Hispanic leader who exhibits a strong commitment to community service while exemplifying professional accomplishment. During her 25-year career with IBM, Ms. Cronin has held a number of technical and managerial positions, rising from software engineer to her current role as IBM’s general manager of Delivery Excellence. She is an active member of the Pan American Roundtable, serves on the board of directors for the National Charity League (NCL) and Junior Achievement (JA), and also serves on the advisory board for HENAAC, which promotes careers in science, technology, engineering and math.

The NSHMBA 5th Annual Hispanic Executive Summit closed with an eloquent keynote address by NSHMBA’s CEO, Lourdes Hassler, who thanked attendees, sponsors, NSHMBA board of directors, officers, members and staff. Ms. Hassler also highlighted the significance of the Hispanic heritage and the importance of bringing value to the job and the company, knowing our strengths and areas of opportunities, striving for excellence, setting the example, being true to ourselves, and continuing to learn.

Ms. Hassler took the opportunity to proudly announce that The National Society of Hispanic MBAs will host the 2009 Hispanic Executive Summit in Atlanta, Georgia, on April 23-25, with a program delivered by Emory University, Goizueta Business School.