Creating A Culture Of Belonging For Latina Colleagues

Leading With Empathy & Allyship

In Episode 97 (recorded live), Melinda is joined by an incredible panel of experts to discuss actionable steps to creating a culture of belonging for Latina colleagues. Gabriela Chavez-Lopez and Maica Gil share meaningful ways to support Latina colleagues by addressing systemic challenges in the workplace and amplifying the voices of Latinas beyond Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month. They also dive into the importance of choosing the right vendors through supplier diversity programs and improving the workplace ecosystem to increase Latinx equity & inclusion.
About Gabriela Chavez-Lopez (she/her)
Gabriela is the first Executive Director of Latina Coalition of Silicon Valley. She is a community catalyst; passionate about uplifting and championing voices around challenging issues in our community — particularly those that disproportionately impact Latinas & people of color. She has an entrepreneurial spirit and is committed to systems-change work that removes structural barriers for women and the underserved. She is dedicated to empowering and cultivating Latina leaders prepared to make a collective impact now and into the future.
About Maica Gil (she/her)
Founder and Organizer of the SF International Women Entrepreneurs Forum and Co-Founder at Heroikka. Maica’s experience has helped her create a platform for diverse international organizations to collaborate, share resources and give visibility to various projects and initiatives. Maica is passionate and committed to closing the gap by connecting women-led projects, funding and support systems around the world. In 2020, she started organizing the Woman Impact Summit, the global conference that gives visibility to businesses, initiatives and programs created for or by women.

For more about Empovia, to find educational resources, and to join us for our monthly live event, visit https://ally.cc.
Connect With Gabriela
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/gchavezlopez09/
Facebook: facebook.com/gchavezlopez/
Twitter: twitter.com/gabsRhere
Instagram: instagram.com/gabzrhere/
Connect With Maica
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/maicagil
Connect With Us
YouTube: youtube.com/@empovia
Twitter: twitter.com/empoviaco
Facebook: facebook.com/empovia
Instagram: instagram.com/empovia/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/empovia/

Production Team
Creator & Host: Melinda Briana Epler
Co-Producers: Renzo Santos & Christina Swindlehurst Chan
Podcast Rocket: Rob Scheerbarth & Nina Rugeles
This episode is sponsored by First Tech Federal Credit Union, a member-owned financial institution that is powered by a people-before-profit philosophy. Learn more at https://www.firsttechfed.com/.
[Image description: LEA promo and photos of Maica, a Latinx, Atlantic Islander with short brown hair, glasses, and a navy blue shirt; Gabriela, a Latina with long brown hair, chunky gold earrings, and a bright aqua dress; and host Melinda, a White

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