Long before diversity, equity, and inclusion became part of the national conversation, Anna Maria Arias recognized an important truth: Latina professionals were succeeding in every industry, yet their stories were largely invisible.

As a producer at CNN, Anna repeatedly pitched stories highlighting the accomplishments of Latina professionals, only to see them rejected. Hoping to find a platform that better understood the Hispanic community, she joined Hispanic Magazine, where she encountered many of the same barriers. Time and again, she was told that the Hispanic market was driven primarily by men and that there was little interest in reaching professional Latinas.

Rather than accept those assumptions, Arias set out to change them.

Drawing on the relationships she had built in Washington, D.C., she requested a meeting with Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, then the only Latina serving in the U.S. Congress. It was during that meeting that the vision for LATINA Style truly came to life. Although there was discussion about what the publication should be called, Anna remained steadfast that its name should celebrate the unique style, strength, and achievements of Latina women in every aspect of their lives.

Together with her husband, Robert E. Bard, who shared her vision and entrepreneurial spirit, Anna transformed an ambitious idea into a national publication dedicated to recognizing the achievements, contributions, and potential of Latina professionals. Their partnership laid the foundation for what would become one of the nation's most influential organizations serving professional Latinas.

In 1994, LATINA Style Magazine was officially launched at the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill with the support of three pioneering Latina Members of Congress: Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida, Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard of California, and Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez of New York. It became the nation's first magazine dedicated exclusively to the interests and aspirations of Latina professionals, entrepreneurs, college students, and women serving in the United States Armed Forces.

At a time when demographic research failed to recognize professional Latinas as a distinct market, women across the country quickly embraced the publication, proving that both the audience and the need had always existed. From its inception, LATINA Style's mission has been clear: to inform, empower, and connect Latina professionals while helping organizations recognize the tremendous value, leadership, and contributions of women in the workforce.

As the magazine's influence grew, so did its impact. In 1998, LATINA Style introduced the LATINA Style 50 Report, which has become one of the nation's most respected studies recognizing the best companies for Latinas to work for in the United States. For more than two decades, the report has served as a trusted benchmark for workplace inclusion, leadership development, and career advancement. It has also helped shape the national conversation around the recruitment, retention, and advancement of Hispanic women in Corporate America.

Tragically, Anna Maria Arias passed away unexpectedly in October 2001. While her passing left an enormous void, her vision endured. Under the leadership of President and CEO Robert E. Bard, LATINA Style continued to grow from an award-winning publication into a nationally recognized leadership and business organization, expanding its reach while remaining faithful to Anna's original mission.

Over the years, LATINA Style launched several signature initiatives, including the LATINA Style Business Series, the National LATINA Symposium, and the LATINA Style Hero Initiative. The LATINA Style Business Series, now held in cities across the country, has become one of the nation's premier leadership conferences for Latina professionals, entrepreneurs, students, and business owners, connecting participants with Fortune 500 companies, thought leaders, and community organizations. Together, these programs have educated, inspired, recognized, and connected tens of thousands of professionals, entrepreneurs, students, veterans, military families, and business leaders by providing leadership development, career advancement, entrepreneurial resources, corporate access, and meaningful networking opportunities.

In 2012, LATINA Style relocated its headquarters to Dallas, Texas, and Lupita Colmenero joined the organization as Chief Operating Officer, helping lead its continued growth, expand its national programs, and strengthen strategic partnerships across the corporate, nonprofit, government, and educational sectors.

Today, through LATINA Style Magazine, its research, conferences, educational programs, digital platforms, and strategic partnerships with Fortune 500 corporations, universities, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and community leaders, LATINA Style continues to reach thousands of readers and professionals nationwide.

For more than three decades, LATINA Style has remained committed to celebrating achievement, expanding opportunity, and building bridges between corporations and the communities they serve. What began as one woman's determination to ensure that Latina professionals were seen, heard, and valued has grown into a national movement that continues to inspire, empower, and elevate future generations of leaders.

Anna Maria Arias believed that when women see themselves represented, they are inspired to dream bigger. More than 30 years later, her vision continues to guide LATINA Style's mission: to celebrate achievement, create opportunity, and ensure that the next generation of women leaders knows there are no limits to what they can accomplish.