Empowering Latina Entrepreneurs: A Reflection on the Latina Disruptors Event

LISC LA Program Officer, Diana Reyes, reflects on the inspiring trailblazers she met at a recent event and shares why their stories deeply resonate with her work at LISC.

I recently had the pleasure of attending an inspiring event hosted by Wells Fargo and Latina Disruptors in celebration of Women's History Month.

As a first-generation American born to Salvadoran immigrants, this event felt deeply personal. My passion for economic inclusion has guided my career, leading me to specialize in providing strategic guidance and financial solutions to small business owners, particularly those from underrepresented communities. My role as a Program Officer for LISC LA has allowed me to bridge the gap for these entrepreneurs, helping them build wealth and grow their businesses sustainably.

(L to R): Beatriz Acevedo, CEO/Co-Founder Suma Wealth, Patty Juarez, Executive Vice President and Head of Hispanic & Latino Affairs, Wells Fargo, Diana Reyes, Program Officer, LISC LA

The event was a celebration of Latina trailblazers who have fearlessly carved paths in the entrepreneurial world. It was an honor to be among such inspiring women, including Sandra Campos, who has made her mark as the former CEO of multiple major fashion brands and now influences various corporate boards.

I had the privilege of meeting Patty Juarez, the head of Hispanic & Latino Affairs at Wells Fargo, and Patty Rodriguez, the co-founder of Lil' Libros. a Los Angeles-based bilingual children’s book publisher. Lil’ Libros holds a special place in my heart because my nephew enjoys their books. 

The event provided an opportunity to engage with Latina business owners and discuss initiatives like LISC LA's Asset Building for Communities of Color (ABC) Program. Supported by Wells Fargo, ABC was created to address the challenges faced by small business owners, offering flexible financing and one-on-one support to grow, scale, and sustain their businesses. 

Access and opportunity should be within reach for all small business owners. Countless creative, passionate, and ambitious individuals could be the next Sandra Campos or Patty Rodriguez with the right support and capital. This belief drives my mission and the mission of the ABC Program—to provide the resources and assistance necessary for underserved entrepreneurs to thrive and create a more inclusive economy.

As the event came to a close and I returned to the LISC LA office, I thought about how as Latinas, we are not just participants in the conversation—we are catalysts for change, shaping the future of business and redefining what it means to succeed on our own terms.

And as I reflect on the experience, I am reminded that when women support each other, incredible things happen.