The 2026 LATINA Style 50 Awards and Corporate Leaders Conference

By Gloria Romano-Barrera

Representatives from companies recognized among the top 2025 Best Companies for Women to Work for in the United States. 

On May 1st, some of the nation’s most influential Latina leaders came together for a day centered on one powerful idea: leadership is not simply about reaching the top; it is about creating opportunities, shaping culture, and making an impact along the way.

The LATINA Style 50 gathering brings together executives, corporate leaders, professionals, and changemakers for a dynamic program focused on the issues shaping today’s workplace and the future of leadership.

From executive networking and signature recognitions to thought-provoking conversations on sustainable growth, inclusion, well-being, and mentorship, the program creates space for leaders to connect, learn, and celebrate one another’s accomplishments.

The day began with registration, a continental breakfast, and executive networking, setting the stage for meaningful conversations among accomplished professionals from across industries. 

The opening ceremony, led by Mistress of Ceremonies Christian Johnson, welcomed attendees and featured signature recognitions, including welcome remarks by Lupita Colmenero, COO, LATINA Style, Inc., and sponsor welcome remarks by Sara Pulido, VP & Senior Legal Counsel – Caribbean & Latin America, Marriott International. In addition, the 2026 Executive of the Year Awards and the 2026 Employee Resource Group Awards, honoring leaders and organizations that are helping advance opportunity, inclusion, and professional excellence. The recognitions set the tone for a day that is as much
about celebrating achievement as it is about examining what leadership looks like in an evolving business environment.

Shaping the Future: Executive Leadership in Action for Sustainable Growth panel. (L-R): Moderator: Cristiani De Olveira Campos, Senior Vice President of Business Software, Stellantis; Jessica Kannya, Managing Director, Business Strategy & Initiative Executive, Bank of America; and Paloma S. Prutsok, Managing Director, Federal Services, Accenture. 

The first leadership session, “Shaping the Future: Executive Leadership in Action for Sustainable Growth,” brought senior leaders together to explore how organizations can lead with purpose and agility while navigating today’s complex and highly regulated environment. Moderated by Jessica Kannya, Managing Director, Business Strategy & Initiative Executive, Bank of America; speakers included Paloma S. Prutsok, Managing Director, Federal Services, Accenture; and Cristiani De Olveira Campos, Senior Vice President of Business Software, Stellantis. The conversation focused on the delicate balance between innovation, governance, and how leaders can create strategies that support sustainable growth.

As workplaces continue to evolve, inclusive leadership remains essential to attracting, supporting, and retaining talent.

Inclusive Leadership in Practice: From Commitment to Culture panel. (L-R): Inez Vasquez, Operations Manager, CBRE Mid Atlantic Operations; Francheska Colon Gonzalez, Associate Director, Global Regulatory Affairs, Global co-lead Alianza EBRG, Merck; William R. Jaramillo,Executive Director, Deputy Head for the Office of Hispanic & Latino Affairs,
Diversity, Opportunity & Inclusion, JPMorganChase; and Edna Ezzell, Managing Director, Accenture. 

The second session, “Inclusive Leadership in Practice: From Commitment to Culture,” focused on ways organizations can move beyond statements of intent to create environments where employees feel genuinely supported and empowered.

The conversation, moderated by Edna Ezzell, Managing Director, Accenture, featured William R. Jaramillo, Executive Director, Deputy Head for the Office of Hispanic & Latino Affairs, Diversity, Opportunity & Inclusion, JPMorganChase; Francheska Colon-Gonzalez, Associate Director, Global Regulatory Affairs, Global co-lead Alianza EBRG, Merck; and Inez Vasquez, Operations Manager, CBRE Mid-Atlantic Operations. The conversation reflected a growing understanding that workplace culture is built through everyday actions. From how leaders communicate and develop talent to how organizations create opportunities for employees to thrive.

Leadership and Happiness session presented by Johanna Villalobos, U.S. Diplomat, Leadership Coach, Happiness Trainer.

Leadership, however, is not reserved for those with only an executive title. The Leadership and Happiness session, presented by Johanna Villalobos, U.S. Diplomat, Leadership Coach, and Happiness Trainer, explored the connection between effective leadership and personal happiness, with practical strategies to foster positive work environments, strengthen leadership skills, and support both professional growth and personal well-being.

JPMorganChase team.

At the heart of the day is the LATINA Style 50 Awards and Corporate Leaders luncheon, bringing together honorees and corporate leaders to celebrate the accomplishments of the women recognized through the LATINA Style 50.

The luncheon offers more than an opportunity to honor professional achievement. It creates a moment to recognize the broader significance of Latina leadership in corporate America and the impact these women have as executives, mentors, innovators, and role models.

Silvana Montenegro, Global Head of the Office of Hispanic & Latino Affairs, Diversity,
Opportunity & Inclusion at JPMorganChase, named 2025 LATINA Style 
Corporate Executive of the Year.

Leadership today also requires a deeper understanding of what enables people to sustain success. The session, “Well-Being as a Leadership Imperative: Driving Resilience and Sustainable Performance,” explored how leading organizations are incorporating employee well-being into workplace culture.

Moderated by Yaminah Mitchell, Director of Customer Care Center, Aflac, the discussion featured Kevin Gilbert, Vice President, Associate Benefits & Wellbeing, Nationwide; and Rachel Edelman, Director of Global Wellbeing, Marriott International. The conversation focused on mental health, caregiving, and burnout, and how strong leadership and support systems can foster resilience and engagement.

(L-R) Cesar Gonzalez, EVP Head of Commercial Banking Operations, Wells Fargo;
Patty Juarez, EVP External Engagement, Public Affairs, Wells Fargo; and Ruben Barrales,
Executive Director, External Engagement, Public Affairs, Wells Fargo.

The day continued with an Executive Dialogue Fireside Chat, “The Power of Mentorship,” featuring Wells Fargo executives Patty Juarez, EVP External Engagement, Public Affairs, Wells Fargo; Cesar Gonzalez, EVP Head of Commercial Banking Operations, Wells Fargo; and Ruben Barrales, Executive Director, External Engagement, Public Affairs, Wells Fargo.

Mentorship has long played a critical role in professional advancement, particularly for women navigating industries and leadership spaces where representation has historically been limited. The conversation will explore how mentors and sponsors can open doors, build confidence, share knowledge, and help emerging leaders envision possibilities they may not have considered for themselves.

For many Latina professionals, mentorship can be transformative. Not because of the advice offered, but because of the power of seeing someone who has walked a similar path.

Following the final LATINA Style 50 Awards and Corporate Leaders Awards Presentation and closing remarks, attendees gathered for a Closing Leadership Reception, creating additional opportunities to connect, exchange ideas, and build relationships. Francisco DeLosReyes, Executive Director, Global Diversity & Inclusion, Merck, provided opening remarks to an eventful evening. 

The LATINA Style 50 program in Washington, D.C., is more than a celebration of accomplished women. It is a reflection of how leadership is evolving and how Latina leaders are helping shape that future. Their stories demonstrate that leadership can take many forms: building businesses, advancing organizations, mentoring others, creating inclusive cultures, championing well-being, and opening doors for the next generation.

In bringing these leaders together, LATINA Style continues to create a space where achievement is recognized, connections are strengthened, and the next chapter of Latina leadership can take shape.

Recognizing the 2025 Top 50 Best Companies for Women to Work For in the U.S.