2025 Speakers

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.

Samantha is the founder of Hood Girls Travel Too and creator/host of the podcast by the same name. She is from the Pilsen community in Chicago, has lived in nine cities across three continents, and continues to travel often, connecting with fellow travelers along the way. In 2021, she founded Hood Girls Travel Too, a travel coaching community that aims to educate self-proclaimed hood girls and women about the many skills they possess that are transferable to a life of travel and adventure that they might feel is out of their reach.  Through Hood Girls Travel Too, the podcast, Samantha invites women of all colors and cultures who have not historically seen themselves or someone like them represented in the world of travel to share their stories. As she cultivates the Hood Girls Travel Too community and podcast she is also studying to become a therapist and fulfill a personal goal to bring more diversity and cultural competency to the mental health field.

Sibu, originally from Costa Rica, is a travel content creator and global citizen who has been living and traveling around the world for 20 years, exploring almost 100 countries along the way. Through Go Global with Sibu, she shares expert tips and free travel opportunities to help others explore more affordably and embrace global opportunities. She is also the co-founder of The Hybrid Tours, curating sustainable, culturally immersive trips to unique destinations. With a background in economics and human rights, Sibu combines storytelling with authentic travel, inspiring her audience to go beyond the usual tourist spots and explore more intentionally.

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.

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.

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.

Jonathan is an adtech professional and spiritual healer with Ecuadorian roots. He has traveled to 30 countries, lived in five, and speaks four languages. During college, he worked as a Tour Leader, leading groups across the East Coast of the U.S. and Canada. A visit to Vilcabamba, Ecuador, sparked his passion for travel. He believes travel should be woven into daily life, not just an occasional escape. Jonathan’s mission is to encourage people to solo travel at least once in their lifetime, and he hopes that sharing his stories will inspire others. 

Maribel is a bilingual content creator and the founder of The Queen of Trips, a platform dedicated to empowering Latinas to confidently explore the world especially through solo travel. As a cancer survivor and first-generation everything, she shares honest travel tips, cultural insights, and personal stories rooted in her resilience and the representation of the latino community. Her mission is to show Latinas they deserve adventure too, no matter their background or fears. She’s building a thriving community of mujeres ready to take up space—one trip at a time.

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.

Jenny is an American travel writer, advisor, and expert based in Mexico. She specializes in promoting and booking travel to Mexico, Latin America, and the Caribbean. She has been recognized throughout Mexico for her contributions to local tourism and had her first book published earlier this year.

Joseph is a seasoned real estate professional and passionate traveler who has mastered the art of luxury travel on points. With years of experience navigating airline loyalty programs, he has flown in some of the world’s top business class cabins, maximizing value while minimizing costs. Joseph specializes in helping others unlock the full potential of their points, making premium travel more accessible and affordable.

Meet Sandra: The 9-to-5 Traveler Who’s Seen It All. First-gen, bilingual, and always on the move, Sandra turned a “regular” career into a passport to the world. With 14+ years in the private sector, spanning biotech and other highly regulated industries, she’s mastered the art of making PTO work for her. Bench-trained in microbiology but seasoned in adventure, she’s explored all 50 U.S. states and 30+ countries, all while holding down a 9-to-5. She’s also the founder of LaterAcademia, a coaching and consulting firm that helps research academics break free from the traditional academic track and find fulfilling careers beyond the lab. Join her session at Latino Travel Fest to learn the secrets to maximizing your holidays, hacking PTO, and finding travel-friendly careers that make seeing the world possible while spreading your professional wings. Because you don’t have to abandon your wanderlust!

Chris is a communications and PR freelancer, storyteller, and the creator of Girl Takes Mundo, a Latina travel blog that empowers Latinas to explore the world fearlessly. Born and raised in Chicago with Guatemalan roots, she now calls the UK home, though you’ll often find her somewhere new. With 14+ years of experience across 80+ countries including a 1.5-year solo sabbatical, Chris has turned her passion for travel into a business. Through Girl Takes Mundo, she partners with brands like The Nomadic Network, WayAway, and GetYourGuide, earning from her travels while providing trusted travel resources, expert insights, and free guides to help others do the same.

Stephanie Gómez is a passionate community builder, entrepreneur, and first-generation Latina from Chicago’s Northside whose Colombian heritage inspires her to create authentic spaces where Latinas can embrace their full potential. As Founder and CEO of Rise & Thrive Latinas (RTL), Stephanie has cultivated a vibrant community guided by values of collective healing, genuine connection, and personal fulfillment. Under her visionary leadership, RTL has welcomed over 160 mujeres into safe spaces where they feel truly seen, heard, and empowered. The company’s signature RTL Book Club has become a beloved gathering place for meaningful conversations through works by Latina authors, featuring engaging discussions with writers who reflect our diverse experiences and stories. Stephanie has expanded RTL’s reach by establishing the RTL Conveners Council, a passionate network of ambassadors who organize local gatherings throughout Chicagoland, ensuring more Latinas have access to these transformative connections.

When she’s not nurturing the RTL community, Stephanie serves as Director of Career Launch Chicago with City Colleges of Chicago, where she develops youth apprenticeship programs that connect students to meaningful educational and career opportunities. Stephanie holds degrees from Northeastern Illinois University (BA in Sociology with a minor in Latinx Studies) and the University of Florida (MA in Latin American Studies). Her leadership has been further shaped through the University of Chicago’s Civic Leadership Academy and the Mujeres de HACE Entrepreneur program.

Taima is an attorney by day and a blogger by night, proving that passion and persistence can turn a side hustle into a thriving business. Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, this Afro-Latina started Poor in a Private Plane over a decade ago as a creative outlet. What began as a hobby soon evolved into a successful brand, allowing her to partner with top travel and lifestyle companies, all while working full-time. Through her work as a creator and love for travel she has visited over 40 countries across five continents, always in search of the best wine, the best views, and the next adventure.

Paula is an award-winning marketing leader. From growing up in poverty to becoming a global business leader, she has personally experienced how technology and good marketing can transform lives from all backgrounds. Being a technology and marketing leader is her opportunity to help others. In 2021 her family launched AfricaCultureJourneys with the mission to share culture and build community, both in-person and online. It’s the only camping safari in Southern Africa owned by a Colombiana.

Cassandra Razzi is a seasoned marketing professional with over a decade of experience, specializing in ad tech for travel and tourism. As a leader at Orange142, she helps destinations leverage data-driven strategies to grow leisure and group travel. With a strong focus on inclusivity, Cassandra advocates for diverse representation in marketing, ensuring destinations connect authentically with multicultural audiences. She serves on the DEI board of the New York State Tourism Industry Association and has contributed to major industry initiatives. Passionate about impactful storytelling, she helps destinations reach untapped markets while driving measurable results through innovative digital strategies.

Rosemary Rojas is a travel and lifestyle content creator, entrepreneur, and founder of @GlamVacayInsider. Originally from Venezuela and raised in Florida, she has spent over seven years collaborating with destinations, hotels, airlines, brands, and tourism boards to inspire audiences to explore the world. Her mission is to encourage her community to dream big and embrace new experiences through creative storytelling. Through her journey as a creator, she launched Glam by Rosemary Rojas, her resortwear brand, and Edge Media Creative, a social media agency helping businesses build a strong digital presence. As a speaker at Latino Travel Fest 2025, she will share her story and the power of dreaming, inspiring others to turn their passions into reality.

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.

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!

Lucia Brea is an educator, researcher, and avid traveler who has explored over 30 countries while teaching and advocating for language learners. Born in the Dominican Republic and raised in a resort setting, she developed a deep understanding of global cultures and the nuances of tourism. Now based in New York and Connecticut, she integrates her travel experiences into her work, promoting sustainability and multicultural education. Lucia has presented on teaching abroad through programs like JET and Peace Boat. She prefers authentic, immersive travel over tourist hotspots, always seeking meaningful connections and cultural exchanges wherever she goes.

Andrea is a Colombian traveler living in Chicago since 2013. Social media professional, content creator, and founder of Founder of @vivechicago. An online space where she gives the best recommendations to explore every corner of Chicago in Spanish to tourists and new residents with curated content, personalized travel guides, and brand promotions.

Latina on to the next adventure! Behind Chica in the City, a blog that has morphed into a hub for food and travel, showcasing the best dining, experiences, and getaways in NYC and beyond. From hidden gems to unforgettable trips, sharing real, authentic recommendations that turn every journey into something special

Angelee Rodriguez is a 31-year-old content creator and entrepreneur based in Puerto Rico. She built her brand by showcasing tourism and lifestyle content, turning her passion into a thriving career. From content creator to CEO, Angelee now owns a successful car rental business and is the author of Things to Do in Puerto Rico, a must-have guidebook for travelers. With a strong online presence, she continues to inspire others to explore the island while managing her growing business ventures.

Camilo Velásquez is a Colombian content creator passionate about travel and food based in Nashville, TN. After noticing the lack of information about Nashville in Spanish, he began sharing travel tips, hidden gems, and local favorites, all in Spanish. His goal is to make travel content more accessible for the Spanish-speaking community in the US. He creates content that’s honest, helpful, and full of sabor Latino.

Margarita Lopez is a Residential Realtor working with buyers and sellers throughout the Chicagoland area and beyond. She has consecutively been recognized by the Chicago Association of Realtors with their Top Producer Award, the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals Top 250 Latino Agents, and is a Top 5 Producer in her office. In her downtime, she loves to do it all! She dedicates time to being involved in her community, hosts a monthly coffee chat, a Rise & Thrive Latina convener, a book club reader, an avid explorer, traveler, a self-proclaimed foodie, a wife, mom, and great friend!

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.