Erica Gardunio is a Chicago blogger and trip host who loves travel and exploring new places. She founded ViajErica, a page that highlights her experience as a “viajera” and shares tips on her “viajes ricas,” or “rich trips.” She seeks out experiences that are rich in culture and loves to share itineraries that are more budget-conscious with plenty of adventure in nature, local tours that support local people, coffee shops, and restaurants serving local fare. Erica has been traveling for the past 8 years, but hosted her first official trip to Mexico City last April with a group of 7 strangers. You can follow her on instagram at @ViajErica_ for travel inspiration and local Chicago experiences!

Clay Carabajal is the Media Relations Manager at Visit San Antonio, promoting the city’s vibrant culture and attractions to media across Mexico, the U.S., and Asia/Pacific. A San Antonio native, he blends storytelling, public engagement, and conservation in his work. Prior to joining Visit San Antonio in April 2023, Clay held leadership roles at the Abilene Zoo and spent over 16 years at SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment as an Animal Care Specialist and Marketing Manager. He also created “The Wild Side with Clay”, an educational YouTube series that inspires youth through wildlife education.

Nadeen is a Bronx-born Puerto Rican entrepreneur, seasoned banking professional, and global traveler with over 30 years of experience across private banking, real estate, and experiential travel. She is the Co-Founder of Remarkable Places®, an Experiential Travel Agency she runs alongside her daughter, Angelique, offering curated journeys in luxury vacation homes around the world. Nadeen is also the Founder of MANN Ventures and The MANN Club, a multicultural networking community for women in travel and real estate, created to support female founders and youth entrepreneurs. Her ventures are inspired by her daughters, whose initials formed the name M.A.N.N. A passionate advocate for Latina representation in travel marketing, Nadeen collaborates with brands, sits on diversity panels, and hosts private client events in fully staffed villas worldwide. She also serves as Executive Founding Member and Treasurer of the BeRemarkable Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to fostering positive online experiences for youth. Based in the Hudson Valley with her husband, Nadeen continues to travel extensively while using her voice, expertise, and vast network to bring remarkable people together in remarkable places.

Carla Vaca Pinacho is a passionate leader dedicated to personal and professional growth, both for herself and those around her. Through her experiences in competitive sports, she has cultivated a mindset of resilience, discipline, and self-improvement. She applies this same drive to her leadership in professional communities, where she empowers individuals in the travel and tourism industry to focus on their personal growth, values, and long-term success. Currently working at Tourism Economics as a Symphony Project Coordinator, helping support Client Managers by streamlining new and ongoing projects. She also sits on the Board of Advisors for Travel Unity, the Advisory Leadership Board at Destinations International, and is the Founder of Latinos in Travel, a membership group dedicated to helping Latin professionals advance their careers in the industry. Through these roles, she has created opportunities for young and emerging professionals to connect, grow, and thrive.

Elsie is a travel content creator who balances a career in tech with a passion for exploring the world. As a Dominican-American based in New York City, she shares unfiltered experiences that highlight culture, food, and adventure. Through RunwayRizos, Elsie empowers travelers, especially first-generation explorers, to navigate the world with confidence, showing them where to go and what to do. She is proving that you don’t have to quit your job to see the world.

Danny Guerrero (he/him/his) is a dynamic marketing executive with a global perspective. With over 20 years of experience, Danny has established himself as a thought leader in multicultural marketing and a champion for inclusion and the importance of cultural relevance in travel, tourism, and hospitality brand marketing. As the CEO and Founder of The Culturist Group, Danny pioneered the travel industry’s first multicultural marketing communications practice in the U.S. focused on the underserved needs of multicultural travelers, including Black, Latinx, and LGBTQ+ travelers.

Adriana Galvan, MBA is a first-generation Mexican-American financial educator and the Founder & CEO of Adriana Talks Dinero, LLC. With over a decade of experience in Human Resources and a dual MBA, she has dedicated her career to empowering minority and disadvantaged communities through financial literacy education. Her personal journey includes purchasing her first home in cash at age 18, paying off significant debt, and investing for early retirement. These experiences, combined with her HR background, shaped her mission to make financial education accessible to immigrant and first-generation families. As a published co-author of “Latinas In Finances” and a respected financial educator, Adriana brings a unique, empathy-driven approach to teaching financial literacy. Her philosophy, “personal finance is personal,” guides her work in helping communities build generational wealth and achieve financial peace. Through Adriana Talks Dinero, LLC, she provides judgment-free financial education that focuses on building wealth, knowing one’s worth, and challenging systemic barriers.

Caryl Marie Perez is an empowerment coach, speaker, and passionate traveler dedicated to empowering individuals to break free from limitations and step into their most confident, fulfilled lives. As the founder of Empowered Entrepreneur, LLC, she specializes in guiding leaders and aspiring travelers to embrace discomfort as a path to transformation. A seasoned professional in male-dominated industries like construction, safety, electrical, and transit, Caryl has defied the odds, leveraging travel as a tool for career growth, self-discovery, and personal empowerment. She believes that travel is more than just an escape; it’s a catalyst for confidence, reinvention, and success. At the Latino Travel Fest 2025, Caryl will take the stage to present “Travel Can Save Your Life and Transform Your Career.” Through personal stories and actionable strategies, she will share how intentional travel can help you heal, build resilience, and unlock new professional opportunities. Caryl is also the creator of the upcoming Travel for Transformation Blueprint, a resource designed to help travelers use their journeys as a stepping stone to personal and career growth. She is hosting the Flourish Retreat in the Dominican Republic this May, where attendees will experience firsthand how travel fosters empowerment and self-discovery. Connect with Caryl on IG @carylmarie, LinkedIn, or her website www.flourish-retreat.com to learn more about how travel can be the key to unlocking your next level of success.