Originally published here
LEN’s 2025 Top 10 Latino Voices — a powerhouse lineup of trailblazers and changemakers redefining what Latino leadership looks like today.
From public service and economic development to media, policy, and entrepreneurship, these leaders are storytellers, innovators, and advocates making waves in boardrooms, classrooms, and communities across our region.
And trust us, their impact is only just beginning.
Daniella Senior — Founder & CEO at Colada Shop.
Step into a Colada Shop and you’ll understand why Daniella is one of the DMV’s most dynamic entrepreneurs. The music, the colors, the cafecitos, the pastelitos, the energy... it all reflects her Dominican roots and her vision for creating a space where culture, food, and people come together.
Her impact goes far beyond the counter. With multiple locations and more than 150 employees, Daniella has built Colada Shop into both a thriving business and a launchpad for opportunity, where team members learn the ropes, rise into leadership, and carry those skills into the wider hospitality industry. Her second venture, Serenata at La Cocecha at Union Market, expands her impact even further, bringing a new generation of Latin cocktail culture to DC.
Through Colada Shop, Daniella has created more than a restaurant; she’s built a community hub and a platform for growth, where business success and impact go hand in hand.
What sets Daniella apart is how she fuses growth with purpose. Recognized by Forbes, Arlington Magazine, AWOL, and the Washington Business Journal’s 40 Under 40, her story shows that entrepreneurship can grow businesses, open doors, and strengthen communities.
Erika González, an Emmy Award–winning journalist and anchor for NBC4.
Born in Texas and rooted in Washington, DC, since 2011, Erika has become one of the region’s most trusted voices.
She anchors News4 Midday, leads breaking news coverage on NBC4’s evening newscasts and streaming channels, and serves as the editorial lead for Telemundo44’s “Bebé Tips,” a lifeline for parents navigating early childhood.
What sets Erika apart is her gift for connection across cultures and languages. From helping families understand the complex housing market through her “4 Your Home” series, translating breaking news with clarity, to moderating conversations that bring leaders and communities together, she uses journalism not just to inform but to empower.
Her work shines a light on the issues that matter most to Latino families, from education and healthcare to civic participation and representation. Through her dedication, Erika proves that journalism is more than headlines, it is a powerful tool for connection and change.
Luis Ernesto Clavijo, Managing Principal at Capitol Advisory Group.
Born in DC to Bolivian immigrant parents, Luis began his career as a lawyer before pivoting to finance and advisory work in 2007. He’s built his career on this principle: turn expertise into access, and connections into lasting impact.
With seemingly boundless energy and a network that stretches across the city, Luis is a familiar face in the business community, always opening doors and making connections. He bridges the gap between the Latino community and the financial world, empowering families and small businesses, especially those entering government contracting or working to grow in underserved neighborhoods.
Beyond his professional role, he gives back through service on multiple boards, championing inclusion, community engagement, and stronger local networks.
Luis shows that success is about using your roots as fuel to uplift others and strengthen the community around you.
Marcos Marin — CEO and Editor-in-Chief of Tiempo Company, a Washington, DC–based media group reaching more than 7 million Latino readers across national and local platforms.
Marcos believes that stories shape the world — and he’s built his career proving it. Born in Venezuela, educated in Spain, and now calling DC home, he brings a global lens to local storytelling. With a background in cognitive psychology, he blends behavioral science, media theory, and business strategy to explore how narratives influence culture, politics, and markets.
At Tiempo Company, Marcos leads with purpose and innovation. He’s driving strategic growth and editorial excellence across three flagship platforms: Tiempo News, spotlighting money, power, and culture for the Latinos shaping America’s future, El Tiempo Latino, the trusted voice of the DC metropolitan Latino community; and Espacio, a creative hub for branded storytelling and campaign development.
Before taking the helm at Tiempo, Marcos advised multinational corporations across Latin America, Europe, and the US on digital growth and new venture creation, experiences that now inform his mission to make Latino media a powerful force for connection and influence.
Through his leadership, Marcos is redefining what it means to inform and inspire. To him, communications are not just about reporting the news; they’re about empowering communities, elevating visibility, and building platforms where Latino stories are not only told, but celebrated.
Join us in celebrating Marcos Marin, a creative storyteller, bridge-builder, and advocate for the power of Latino voices to shape the future.
Roberta Braga — Founder and Executive Director of the Digital Democracy Institute of the Americas (DDIA), and a force for truth, inclusion, and digital resilience across the hemisphere.
For Roberta, democracy isn’t just a political ideal, it’s a living, breathing system that depends on how we connect, communicate, and trust one another. Born in Brazil and fluent in Portuguese, English, and Spanish, she’s built her life’s work around one mission: strengthening the digital spaces where democracy happens.
From leading counter-disinformation efforts at the Equis Institute to shaping dialogue on technology and governance at the Atlantic Council, Roberta has spent her career helping societies navigate one of the defining challenges of our time: the spread of misinformation and the erosion of trust. Through DDIA, she’s turning that experience into action, building programs that close the information gap between U.S. Latino communities and Latin America, empowering people with credible information and tools to participate fully in civic life.
Her leadership has earned recognition from organizations like Latinas in Cyber and WOMCY, which named her among the “Top 50 Women in Cybersecurity Americas.” Her voice has appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Financial Times, Axios, and Brazil’s O Globo and Folha de S.Paulo — shaping global conversations on digital democracy and civic trust.
But what really makes Roberta stand out is her unwavering belief that technology should serve people — not the other way around. Her work reminds us that protecting democracy begins with empowering communities to think critically, share responsibly, and engage meaningfully.
Roberta Braga — a visionary leader, mentor, and champion for a more connected, informed, and democratic Americas.
Daniel Flores, Vice President of Policy & Government Relations at the Greater Washington Board of Trade.
With over 18 years in his current role, Daniel has become a powerful force at the intersection of public policy, business, and community impact bridging the public and private sectors to shape a stronger, more inclusive regional economy. His trajectory spans nonprofit, corporate, and government work, a rare trifecta that gives him a holistic lens on the DMV region.
Beyond his role at the Board of Trade, Daniel has also served as president and CEO of the Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, bringing direct experience in advocacy and business development within Latino communities. He was also appointed to the Holy Cross Health Board of Trustees in 2013, a recognition of his leadership across sectors.
What sets Daniel apart is his role as a collaborator. Widely recognized in the DMV’s business and networking circles, he brings leaders, institutions, and communities together, ensuring diverse perspectives are not only heard but central to decision-making. His leadership reminds us that representation isn’t a nice-to-have, it’s essential to shaping policies and programs that truly reflect our region’s diversity.
Daniel Flores — one of the DMV’s most influential connectors, advocates, and changemakers — as we continue to elevate the voices shaping our communities.
Gabe Albornoz, Councilmember At-Large for Montgomery County, Maryland.
For Gabe, public service isn’t just a profession; it’s personal. The son of South American immigrant parents who built their lives through hard work and hope, he grew up watching what it means to give back. That spirit of gratitude and integrity continues to guide him as he works to ensure every resident, no matter their background or zip code, has the opportunity to thrive.
Over the past two decades, Gabe has shaped policies and programs that reach far beyond the walls of government. As Chair of the Health and Human Services Committee, he has championed initiatives that help families find stability, children access opportunity, and seniors live with dignity. His leadership has strengthened the county’s safety net while infusing it with humanity.
Before joining the Council, Gabe reimagined the Montgomery County Department of Recreation into a national model for innovation and inclusion. Under his direction, programs like Excel Beyond the Bell and Soccer for Change gave thousands of kids a place to learn, play, and dream bigger. Now, as Senior Advisor at Fight For Children, he continues to invest in the next generation, expanding access to education, sports, and mentorship for youth across the region.
What sets Gabe apart is his blend of empathy and action, the way he listens first and then builds bridges that make real change possible. His story reminds us that true leadership isn’t defined by titles or accolades, but by the communities that grow stronger because of it.
Juan Pablo Vacatello — Co-Executive Director at Mi Casa, Inc.
For nearly 20 years, Juan Pablo has pursued one simple but profound belief: every family deserves a safe, affordable place to call home. Since joining Mi Casa in 2006, he has helped extend its reach and improve the lives of thousands of families across the region.
His leadership extends far beyond Mi Casa. As a board member of the Coalition for Nonprofit Housing and Economic Development (CNHED), he helps guide the future of affordable housing and inclusive growth in DC. At Vida Senior Center, the city’s oldest Hispanic nonprofit, he advocates for vulnerable seniors. And through his role on the Montgomery County Executive Transition Team, he has advanced policies that make the region more equitable and inclusive.
What sets Juan Pablo apart is his ability to link local action with global vision. From creating systems that keep families in their homes to co-authoring an international report on refugee protection, his career demonstrates that housing isn’t just shelter — it has the power to restore dignity, safeguard community, and open opportunity.
Juan Pablo Vacatello — a visionary leader in affordable housing and a voice redefining what it means to build belonging in the DMV and beyond.
Marla Bilonick, President and CEO of NALCAB (National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders).
For more than 25 years, Marla has been on a mission to expand economic opportunity for Latino communities. Under her leadership, NALCAB has nearly doubled its membership, grown its presence to every state, DC, and Puerto Rico, and dramatically scaled its resources to strengthen community development across the country.
What sets Marla apart is her conviction that access to capital, small business growth, and financial inclusion aren’t just programs, they’re lifelines that transform families and communities. From her early work in Latin America to her leadership at the Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC) in DC, she has opened doors for countless entrepreneurs to build wealth and stability.
Her influence reaches the highest levels of policy and finance. As chair of the U.S. Treasury’s CDFI Fund Community Development Advisory Board and an advisor to leading financial institutions, she ensures Latino perspectives and representation are front and center in shaping inclusive economic growth.
Marla proves that when Latino communities thrive, our entire economy thrives with them.
Nicole Durler-Montant, Director of Development and Communications at the Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC).
After a decade in international development abroad, Nicole relocated to the DC area in 2023. Inspired by the growing influence of the Latino community, she brought her global perspective to LEDC to expand opportunity and accelerate momentum. She now leads the organization’s fundraising and communications efforts, creating connections with social investors and strategic partners to strengthen local communities.
Nicole secures vital resources for underestimated entrepreneurs and families working toward homeownership, while also shaping stories that elevate their voices. With her background in diplomacy, international development, and fluency in several languages, she sparks action among partners, funders, and policymakers to invest in economic mobility.
Despite the challenges of fundraising, Nicole remains focused on what matters most: building strong, resilient communities through access and empowerment.