Leaders On the Mic

In this episode, host Ana Valdez, President & CEO of the Latino Donor Collaborative, sits down with Congressman Gilbert "Gil" Cisneros, a decorated Navy veteran, philanthropist, and public servant whose career spans military service, Congress, and the Pentagon. Through his leadership, advocacy, and lifelong commitment to expanding opportunity for underserved communities, Gil represents a powerful model of service-driven Latino leadership.
Gil shares his journey, what inspired his commitment to education access and diversity in the military, and how his experiences have shaped his dedication to opportunity and inclusion. His story is a powerful reminder that decades of service can open doors for the next generation, and that the work of building a more equitable future is ongoing.

In this episode, host Ana Valdez, President & CEO of the Latino Donor Collaborative, sits down with Jazmin Murillo, a University of Chicago undergraduate student, aspiring immigration attorney, and one of the pioneering leaders behind the Elevate Latinos College Initiative. Through her academic excellence, advocacy, and commitment to empowering her peers, Jazmin represents a new generation of Latino leaders dedicated to expanding opportunity and creating meaningful change. J
azmin shares her journey as a first-generation Latina student navigating higher education, what inspired her passion for immigration law, and how her experiences have shaped her commitment to service and advocacy. Her story is a powerful reminder that the future of Latino leadership is already here; and it's being built by students who are determined to make a difference.

In this episode, host Ana Valdez, President & CEO of the Latino Donor Collaborative, sits down with Frank Carbajal, Founder and President of Es Tiempo, LLC and creator of the Silicon Valley Latino Leadership Summit, to talk about leadership development, economic mobility, and why investing in Latino talent is critical to America’s future. Together, they explore why Latino leadership pipelines matter now more than ever, and how uplifting Latino ingenuity, innovation, and tenacity is essential to reshaping how our community is perceived in Silicon Valley, corporate America and beyond. Join us as Frank breaks down what it means to lead with purpose, how building community creates lasting impact, and why empowering Latino professionals isn’t just about representation, it’s about economic growth, influence, and legacy for past and future generations.

In this episode, host Ana Valdez, President & CEO of the Latino Donor Collaborative, sits down with Chris Cabezas, one of the most exciting Latino voices in the creator and influencer space, to talk about the power of storytelling, digital platforms, and why positive Latino representation matters now more than ever.
Chris shares how he built his platform, what inspires the stories he tells, and how creators can shape culture by highlighting the joy, talent, ambition, and everyday excellence within our community. Together, they explore how social media has created a new stage for Latino voices — and why uplifting authentic, positive narratives isn’t just important for representation, but essential for how future generations see themselves.
Join us as Chris breaks down what it means to lead with purpose, how storytelling creates connection and pride, and how Latinos are using their voices to reshape the narrative and redefine what mainstream media looks like.

In this episode, host Ana Valdez, President & CEO of the Latino Donor Collaborative, sits down with Julie Craig, a leader at Kantar, to explore the latest insights on U.S. Latino consumers and the tremendous opportunity this market represents for brands and business leaders.
With deep expertise in consumer research, cultural intelligence, and market strategy, Julie shares how data-driven insights can help companies better understand the lived experiences, values, and buying power of U.S. Latinos, and why engaging this community with authenticity and intention is no longer optional, but essential. Together, they discuss how culture is shaping consumer behavior in real time and what it takes for brands to earn trust, build relevance, and drive growth.
Join us as Julie breaks down key trends, what brands are getting right (and wrong), and how leaders can use research to create stronger connections, smarter strategy, and greater impact in today’s evolving mainstream market.
Subscribe to our channel for more episodes featuring leading Latino voices in business, entertainment, media, and beyond, leaders who are driving change and reshaping our community’s narrative in the U.S.

In this episode, host Ana Valdez, President & CEO of the Latino Donor Collaborative, sits down with digital creator, influencer, and storyteller Nessa Diosdado.
Known for her authentic POV storytelling and powerful presence across social platforms and civil and political advocacy, Nessa has emerged as a leading Gen-Z voice exploring identity, culture, and the lived experiences of young Latinos navigating life in the U.S. Through short-form video, personal narrative, and digital advocacy, she connects millions by speaking honestly and boldly about visibility, representation, and belonging.
Nessa’s journey reflects the growing influence of U.S. Latina creators who are shaping culture in real time, reclaiming narrative power, and using digital platforms to challenge stereotypes while building community.
Join us as Nessa shares how she found her voice online, why authenticity resonates more than perfection, and how U.S. Latino creators can use storytelling to influence culture, spark dialogue, and expand opportunity for the next generation.

In this episode, host Ana Valdez (President & CEO of the LDC) sits down with Jessica Santiago Byrd, Multicultural Marketing Manager at IKEA U.S., and a visionary leader shaping how major brands authentically connect with diverse communities. With a career devoted to inclusive storytelling and cultural insight, Jessica has led groundbreaking work; including the launch of IKEA’s U.S. Spanish-language website and national in-language campaigns that elevate the voices and needs of Latino consumers.
Jessica’s approach is rooted in a belief that representation must be meaningful, data-driven, and community-informed. Her work is redefining what it looks like when a global company shows up for multicultural audiences, not as an afterthought, but as a core part of its brand DNA.
Join us as Jessica shares her journey into multicultural marketing, why Latino consumers deserve intentional and culturally fluent engagement, and how brands can create authentic connections that go far beyond translation. Her insights offer a roadmap for how corporate America can respect, understand, and genuinely reflect the communities it serves.

In this episode, host Ana Valdez (President & CEO of the LDC) sits down with comedian, writer, investigative storyteller, and social commentator Che Guerrero. Known for blending humor with sharp social analysis, Che has become a leading voice on issues surrounding immigration, identity, and the undocumented experience, using storytelling to spark dialogue, challenge stereotypes, and build community across platforms.
Through his viral comedy, digital journalism, and public storytelling, Che brings a unique and powerful perspective on how Latinos can reclaim narrative power in media. His journey highlights the importance of authentic voices that speak truthfully, and often hilariously, about the lived realities of our community.

In this episode, host Ana Valdez (President & CEO of the LDC) sits down with acclaimed unscripted-television producer and executive producer Rick Telles. Rick is best known as the Executive Producer of the recent Amazon Prime hit feature film A Million Miles Away, starring Michael Peña, and he brings decades of experience in forging compelling unscripted content.
Over his career, Rick has helped launch series such as the pioneering reality show The Surreal Life and served as executive producer on shows including Next Action Star, Haunted Collector and America’s Worst Driver. Join us as Rick shares how his journey has underscored the importance of authentic Latino storytelling, not just as a matter of cultural significance, but as one of commercial and creative impact. 

In this episode, host Ana Valdez (President & CEO of the Latino Donor Collaborative) sits down with Brenden Pérez, a rising Mexican-Taiwanese violinist and social media creator redefining what it means to be a modern Latino artist, activist, and leader.
From classical roots to viral fame, Brenden shares how he’s breaking stereotypes, blending cultures, and using music to amplify representation and pride.