Latinas Today
Helena Moreno Elected New Orleans Mayor
Since her first Council election in 2017, Helena Moreno has built a reputation as a tireless advocate on behalf of the people of New Orleans. She’s led the fight for a safer, more affordable, and increasingly equitable city.
As Council President and as a former State Legislator, she’s won victories to broaden economic opportunity and knock down barriers for small businesses, increase safety and reform the criminal justice system, promote gender equality, lead on climate action and a cleaner environment, and protect and uplift the most vulnerable in society.
Moreno began her career in New Orleans as an award-winning investigative reporter for NBC affiliate WDSU-TV. She was part of a team awarded an Emmy for outstanding coverage during Hurricane Katrina. In May of 2010, she was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives. As the voice of District 93, she served as an advocate for a diverse area that includes neighborhoods such as Treme, the Garden District, Central City, St. Roch, the French Quarter, Mid City, and the Central Business District. As a Legislator, Moreno was honored as a champion for women by numerous organizations. Her work to fight domestic violence in Louisiana is featured in the award-winning documentary film called Five Awake.
Moreno has also been recognized for her past work in criminal justice reform, public safety, drug policy, health care, early childhood education, and care for the elderly
Bárbara Rivera Holmes Sworn in as the 11th Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Labor and the State's First Latina Constitutional Officer
Bárbara Rivera Holmes was sworn in as the 11th Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Labor and the state's first Latina constitutional officer by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp.
Bárbara Rivera Holmes was sworn in as the 11th Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Labor and the state's first Latina constitutional officer by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp. The Georgia Department of Labor is pivotal to the state's economic health, providing essential services such as unemployment insurance, job placement, and workforce development programs. These services are vital for supporting individuals and businesses, ensuring that Georgia's labor market remains robust and competitive, and that Georgia remains the No. 1 state for business.
Holmes' extensive experience includes a professional background in economic development, policy, talent development and small business advocacy; and appointments by former Gov. Nathan Deal to the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, which oversees Georgia's 26 public colleges and universities, and by Gov. Kemp to the Georgia Rural Development Council. Holmes co-chaired the Georgia Innovates Task Force, which helped design the state's technology blueprint. Her contributions have been recognized with a Congressional Commendation and multiple accolades from the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Georgia Trend.
A former journalist, Holmes has earned awards for excellence in journalism from the Georgia Associated Press. She holds degrees in journalism and Spanish from Florida Southern College and studied at Estudio Sampere Internacional in Spain. A native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, Holmes resides in Albany with her husband, David, and their daughter.
The Women's Foundation of Colorado (WFCO) Names Renee Ferrufino as President and CEO
The Women’s Foundation of Colorado (WFCO) announced Renee Ferrufino as the foundation’s president and CEO by the board of trustees following a national search.
The Women’s Foundation of Colorado (WFCO) announced Renee Ferrufino as the foundation’s president and CEO by the board of trustees following a national search. Ferrufino joined The Women’s Foundation of Colorado – the only community-funded statewide foundation advancing gender, racial, and economic equity – in 2014 as the major gifts officer. She was promoted to vice president of development in 2016.
Prior to becoming the first Latina to lead The Women’s Foundation of Colorado, Ferrufino oversaw all of the fundraising strategies and grew annual contributions from $2.3 million in 2016 to nearly $6 million in fiscal year 2023-24. She also increased donor-advised funds and giving circles from six to more than 80, designed the Women & Girls of Color Fund that has granted more than $2.5 million to nonprofit organizations since 2021, and developed a menu of impact investing opportunities for donors, which includes the nation’s first women’s impact investing giving circle providing low-interest loans to women entrepreneurs. With her Foundation tenure and philanthropic expertise, Ferrufino has developed meaningful, strategic, and collaborative relationships with women’s funding network peers and elevated WFCO’s influence and impact among national funders.
As president and CEO, Ferrufino will work with the board of trustees to advance the mission of The Women’s Foundation of Colorado, engage with the community to drive impact and visibility, provide strategic vision and leadership, foster a cohesive team, and steward financial resources.