LATINA Style Business Series, Virginia
Marymount University came alive with creativity, leadership, and inspiration on October 3, 2025, as LATINA Style, Inc. hosted the LATINA Style Business Series themed “Artistry & Empowerment: Nurturing LATINA Entrepreneurs to Inspire, Innovate, and Thrive.” The Business Series gathered Latina entrepreneurs, business leaders, and community advocates from across the region to celebrate the power of artistry, innovation, and purpose-driven leadership in entrepreneurship. The day began with a warm welcome from Lupita Colmenero, COO, LATINA Style, Inc., whose remarks set the tone for a gathering rooted in empowerment and collaboration.
Alejandra Balcazar, Assistant Director at the University of Maryland’s Student Success Center, guided the morning as Mistress of Ceremonies, while Giavonni Lucas, SVP, Culture & Talent Acquisition at Nationwide, highlighted the company’s ongoing commitment to supporting diverse entrepreneurial talent. Early attendees also enjoyed a series of raffle prizes—adding excitement and energy to the morning kickoff.
The first session, “Rooted in Vision,” showcased stories from Latina entrepreneurs who have built thriving ventures around their creative passions. Moderated by Mariana Martinez, Executive Director, Senior Family Dynamics
Consultant, Wells Fargo Wealth & Investment Management, the discussion featured Lorena Saavedra Smith, author and wellness consultant; Dr. Ana Maria Lopez Caldwell, founder, Dr. Ana Maria Consulting; and Caroline Caylor, CEO, ARAZ Systems & ARAZ Fuel Systems.
Panelists shared personal journeys of transformation—how artistry, cultural identity, and grit helped them launch authentic, purpose-driven businesses.
“Funding Your Dreams: Capital Strategies for Latina Entrepreneurs,” moderated by Andres Hayes, CEO, Airtifae Group, brought together experts Jose Vargas, Latino Economic Development Center; Anna N’Jie-Konte, Poder Wealth Advisors, and Maria Llanos, Business Advisor, ARTERE, LLC, to discuss access to funding, grants, and investment strategies to sustain Latina-owned businesses.
Speakers Jose Vargas, Loan Officer, Latino Economic Development Center; Anna N’Jie-Kont, Founder & CEO, Poder Wealth Advisors; and Maria Llanos, ARTERE, LLC, shared insights on securing grants, attracting investors, and leveraging community-driven funding. Their discussion emphasized financial literacy, preparation, and perseverance as keys to growth and sustainability.
After a brief coffee break, the event turned its focus to the power of local leadership in “Chambers as Unifiers.” Moderated by Angela Franco, President & CEO, Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, the panel featured a lineup of chamber leaders, including Susana Marino, President and Chair, Northern Virginia Hispanic American Chamber of Commerce (NOVAHCC); Nicole Quiroga, President and CEO, Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Mauricio Vasquez, Executive Director, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Montgomery County (HCCMC), and Michel Zajur, CEO, Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
Together, they explored how Hispanic Chambers of Commerce serve as vital bridges—connecting businesses, government, and communities to create inclusive economic ecosystems.
Following a networking lunch, attendees gathered for a fireside chat that looked toward the future: “The Future of Creativity: AI-Powered Tools for Success.”
Karol Figueroa, CEO, HIK Trainings, and Valery Maya, Technology Transformation Consultant, PwC, explored how artificial intelligence is reshaping entrepreneurship—from brainstorming and content creation to streamlining operations. Their advice encouraged Latina founders to embrace technology as an ally in scaling creativity and innovation.
A burst of energy followed by Terry Chasteen’s “Move and Groove” session, sponsored by Nationwide, reminding everyone that physical wellness is integral to sustained creativity.
That theme carried into “The Power of Wellness and Community,” a reflective session led by Veronica Segovia Bedon, Program Management Director, AARP. She discussed how Latina entrepreneurs can thrive through self-care, cultural pride, and community support—key ingredients for long-term success.
As the event drew to a close, Giavonni Lucas and Mariana Martinez, Executive Director, Senior Family Dynamics Consultant, Wells Fargo Wealth & Investment Management, returned to the stage with sponsor remarks, reaffirming their organizations’ dedication to uplifting entrepreneurs nationwide.
The highlight of the afternoon came during the LATINA Style Awards, where Colmenero honored the Latina Entrepreneur of the Year, recognizing a woman whose leadership embodies creativity, innovation, and community impact.
Congratulations to Caroline Caylor, CEO, ARAZ Systems & ARAZ Fuel Systems. ARAZ Systems is a certified IT solutions provider specializing in AI hardware, IT asset disposition, and enterprise server maintenance. The company manufactures high-performance, USA-made computing hardware and offers secure data destruction, decommissioning services, and sustainable IT asset recycling. Expertise extends to on-site IT support, network infrastructure, and white-label computing solutions, tailored for government and enterprise clients.