Description
The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce presents the 8th Annual Si, Se Puede Gala and Scholarship Celebration
"Medallas de Excelencia"
This event includes networking, a keynote speaker and entertainment. This is the signature event for the Hispanic Chamber so be sure to get your tickets early!
Speakers
Keynote Speaker - Roberto Carmona - Director of Business Development for Sodexo
Roberto Carmona Bio:
Roberto has long been recognized as a business and community leader, leadership development and management consultant. He has learned and helped others align community building partnerships between businesses, government and the nonprofit sectors. As an entrepreneur he founded the CRIMSON LEADERSHIP GROUP where he successfully executed on complex executive search, strategic marketing, economic development, leadership development and organizational change projects for Fortune 500 companies, hospitals, universities and national organizations, such as the National Council of La Raza (NCLR), New America Alliance, the National Forum for Latino Healthcare Executives (NFLHE) and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute.
His public service experience includes having served as a community development specialist for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, where he helped establish the Office of Rural Housing and Economic Development and served as a federal reviewer for the $1.7 Billion Round II Empowerment Zone grant competition. He also served as National Monitor Advocate overseeing federally funded farm worker employment programs for the U.S. Department of Labor, both in Washington DC. He was also the Midwest Director for the National Council of La Raza (NCLR).
As a result of his work in public service, Roberto was the recipient of the NCLR’s Mid-Career Fellowship that allowed him to attend Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, where he completed a Master’s Degree in Public Administration.
In 2013, Roberto was hired as Director of Business Development by Sodexo (a former client), in the Universities market and in May of this year he accepted a similar business development role in Sodexo’s growing healthcare market in their Clinical Technology Management division.
Roberto is proud to say that his oldest daughter Tonantzin Carmona was the past Director of the Office of New Americans in the Mayor’s office for City of Chicago and in July she relocated to Washington DC and is now the Deputy Press Secretary for U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts.
Theresa Plascencia - Superintendent of Waukegan Community School District
Theresa Plascnecia Bio:
Ms. Plascencia is in her first year as Superintendent of Schools in Waukegan. She comes to District 60 from Chicago Public Schools, where she is most recently served as the Executive Director of High School Programs, Designs and Supports. Previously, she served as the Chief of Network 7 in CPS, where she oversaw 29 schools with nearly 17,500 students. Her other administrative roles included a successful stint as Principal of Farragut Career Academy. Ms. Plascencia earned her Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education, History and Juvenile Justice from DePaul University, and her Master’s in Education Leadership from Loyola University. She is currently a doctorate candidate in the Education Leadership program at National-Louis University.
Entertainment
DJ Rico Mix
Gala Mariachi Estrella