Modern Day Latina: Leadership, Access and the Future of Opportunity in New Jersey
April 17, 2026
As emcee Raven Santana put it best, "it’s a different kind of energy when strong, unapologetic Latinas come together, and that energy carried through every moment of the day."
Modern Day Latina kicked off with a vibe you could feel the second you walked in. Ambition, comunidad and purpose all in one room.
From the opening, the message was clear. We show up, connect and build together.
Our President John Lucas grounded the moment by highlighting the strength of New Jersey’s Latino business community, while reminding everyone that the real power is in the people behind it. The builders, the hustlers, la comunidad moving everything forward.
As the conversations unfolded, the focus shifted to what it actually means to be a modern Latina in 2026. Leaders like Anyelis Cordero, Daniela Palacios and Victoria Sosa brought real topics to the stage, sharing what it looks like to balance career, motherhood and entrepreneurship while navigating constant change. The conversation was about trusting yourself, pivoting when needed and staying rooted in purpose, even when the journey gets messy. Porque sí, growth is not always pretty.
The conversation deepened into confidence, mentorship and community. From imposter syndrome to owning your place in the room, the message was clear: lift as you rise. Nadie llega sola. Collaboration over competition, siempre.
By the final segment, the energy shifts into action. Conversations around equity, advocacy and leadership push everyone to think bigger. Speak up, support each other and stay grounded in your why.
As Raven noted in her opening, we are also stronger with the men who support us. When women show up for themselves and for each other, things move. When comunidad leads, everybody wins. And what a way to kick off SHCCNJ’s signature events for the year.
At its core, Modern Day Latina is more than an event. It reinforces who we are and why we are strong. Juntos, somos familia.
Check out the videos below of our MDL March 26, 2026, event.
Part 1: Opening | Latina Leadership Community & Opportunity
Emcee Raven Santana opens the program by bringing the energy, calling in the room and setting the tone for a day centered on showing up, connecting and building together as comunidad.
Interim President John Lucas steps in for his first signature event, grounding the moment in both scale and meaning. He points to the strength of New Jersey’s Latino business community and makes it clear that the real story is the people behind it, the builders, the hustlers, the comunidad driving it forward.
The moment also honors Carlos Medina, whose leadership helped shape the Chamber into what it is today, setting the foundation for continued growth and impact.
From the start, the message is clear: Latina leadership, networking and collaboration are not extras, they are essential. The focus moving forward is about opening doors, creating access and making sure more businesses can grow, compete and thrive. Vamos.
Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome and Opening Energy — Raven Santana
00:28 Social Media and Event Experience
00:54 SHCCNJ Board Recognition
01:32 Distinguished Guests Welcome
02:10 Sponsors and Vendor Acknowledgment
02:37 Introduction of John Lucas
02:59 John Lucas Opening Remarks
03:25 Honoring Carlos Medina
04:09 Latino Economy in New Jersey
04:55 Latina Leadership
05:17 Networking and Community
05:42 Team and Volunteer Recognition
08:23 Carlos Medina Reflections
09:01 Entrepreneurship and Impact
09:20 Board Growth
10:24 Programs and What’s Ahead
11:13 Four Priorities
11:21 Closing and Event Kickoff
Part 2: What It Means to Be a Modern Latina in 2026
What does it mean to be a modern Latina today? This conversation dives into identity, growth and the real-life balance of building something meaningful across career, familia and purpose.
The panel features Anyelis Cordero, Founder & CEO of Propel on Purpose; Daniela Palacios, Founder of ParaKIDS! and SHCCNJ ETP Graduate; and Victoria Sosa, Founder & Creative Director of S Squared Communications, each bringing their own lived experience to the conversation.
Together, they explore what it looks like to carry multiple roles at once, career, motherhood and entrepreneurship, while navigating constant change. The conversation centers on adaptability, trusting yourself and knowing when to pivot, even when things feel uncertain.
There is a strong focus on building with intention, not just for the community but with it, staying rooted in purpose while continuing to grow.
The conversation also taps into mindset, highlighting resilience, gratitude and the discipline it takes to keep going through tough seasons. Because let’s be real, growth is not always pretty, pero seguimos.
At its core, this segment reframes success as something bigger than individual wins. It is about community, self-awareness and the confidence to keep moving forward con fuerza.
Timestamps:
00:00 Opening Remarks
01:37 Latina Leadership and Community Partnership
04:21 Panel Introduction — Raven Santana
05:53 What It Means to Be a Modern Latina
06:10 Motherhood and Confidence
08:33 Building with Purpose
10:04 Pivoting and Growth
11:32 Self-Trust
13:40 Gratitude Practice
15:18 Purpose and Community
18:05 Protecting Your Peace
19:46 Closing Reflections
Part 3: Confidence, Community & Women Supporting Women
How do you move through self-doubt, show up for others and keep building? This conversation gets into the real side of confidence, mentorship and showing up for comunidad.
Anyelis Cordero, Daniela Palacios and Victoria Sosa come together for an honest conversation about what it takes to keep going, even when doubt creeps in.
The discussion centers on owning your place in the room, reframing self-doubt and building the confidence to lead with clarity. It highlights how mentorship and representation shape not just individual paths, but entire communities.
They also get real about balancing business, motherhood and personal challenges, and how being open about those experiences helps others feel seen and less alone.
Giving back becomes a major theme, through mentorship, education and showing up for the next generation. Because nobody gets here alone.
At its core, the message is clear: collaboration over competition. Create, connect and celebrate each other. That’s how we all win.
Timestamps:
00:00 Imposter Syndrome and Self-Doubt
01:52 Role Models and Inspiration
06:00 Reframing Self-Doubt
09:31 Growth and Confidence
12:50 Showing Up for Community
16:40 Giving Back
20:48 Create, Connect, Celebrate
23:14 Women Supporting Women
26:08 Collaboration Over Competition
28:24 Purpose and Pitching
Part 4: Advocacy, Equity and Leading with Purpose
How do women advocate for themselves, support each other and lead with purpose, especially in systems that were not built for us? This closing conversation brings it all together. Real talk, real strategy, real comunidad.
Anyelis Cordero, Daniela Palacios and Victoria Sosa close out the program with a conversation focused on advocacy, equity and stepping fully into leadership.
The discussion gets real about workplace inequities and the importance of speaking up for yourself while also opening doors for others. Growth here is collective. Nadie se queda atrás.
They highlight mentorship, sponsorship and community as essential tools, alongside confidence, mindset and continuous self-investment.
The conversation also looks at navigating change in a fast-moving world, from evolving industries to new technologies, while staying grounded in purpose and clear on your why.
As the program closes, the message lands strong: lead with intention, stay rooted in comunidad and always reach back. Eso es liderazgo.
Timestamps:
00:00 Imposter Syndrome and Self-Advocacy
01:52 Women Who Inspire
06:00 Confidence and Voice
09:31 Growth and Mindset
12:50 Community Leadership
16:40 Mentorship and Service
20:48 Create, Connect, Celebrate
23:14 Women Supporting Women
26:08 Collaboration Over Competition
28:24 Purpose and Moving Forward
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