The new year is almost upon us, but first let us take a look back at some Latinas in Business highlights from 2022.
Each year we strive to set the bar higher and this year was no different here at Latinas in Business Inc. We are so blessed and honored to have such an amazing community of readers, supporters, and collaborators. We thank you so much! Gracias!
Now, here are our end-of-year highlights and most-read articles on LatinasinBusiness.us, our dedicated editorial platform that promotes and empowers Latinas and other minority women entrepreneurs.
2022 Latinas in Business most-read articles
Ashley Aydin of VamosVentures says, “We need Latinas in VC”
Ashley Aydin is of Puerto Rican and Turkish descent and a proud first-generation college graduate and daughter of an immigrant. Currently she is a Principal at VamosVentures, a venture capital fund investing in Latino and diverse founding teams in the earliest stages across Health & Wellness, FinTech, Future of Work, and Sustainability.
Recent data shows Latino and Black founders receive only 2% of the total distributed funding. Founders of color are 30% more likely to experience a lack of capital and relevant networks. The stats are similar for female-founded companies.
VamosVentures is working to improve these numbers and pave the way for Latino and diverse founders to have access to capital, networks, and other pertinent resources.
“We’re not just a VC fund – we’re also a platform catapulting the careers and journeys of more Latino and diverse operators and investors. This mission means everything to us, and we’re pushing so that there’s a leveling of the playing field,” says Ashley.
Read more of Ashley’s story here.
Meryoline Carbonara, Latina leader excels in a male-dominated industry
Meryoline Carbonara is a 37 year old second generation Dominican Latina, born and raised in Corona Queens, New York. She is a network engineer at Verizon and also the lead for the Northeast region’s Verizon Latinx ERG, SOMOS.
As a Latina engineer and daughter to immigrant parents, Meryoline has overcome obstacles and challenges to get to where she is today. Her success story is one built on years of hard work, determination, and a hunger for greatness.
Growing up in Corona Queens and raised by a single mom of four children, she had to work from a young age.
Meryoline went on to become a local field manager, managing over 23 field technicians in the Nassau Area of Long Island where she was one of two women working on the island and the only Hispanic female and the youngest in my garage.
“Those men were not happy to be reporting to a young Latina with the fire to prove she was worthy to beat all the odds and hold a position where no one else looked like me. I was determined to make a name for myself and create a culture that did not exist in that space.”
Read more of Meryoline’s inspiring story here.
First-gen professional Adriana Dawson found strength in her Latina identity
Adriana Dawson is a first-generation professional focused on community and human impact work. As the daughter of Colombian immigrants, she grew up in a large extended family, many of whom were factory workers during the day and unofficial grassroots community activists in their limited free time.
As a first-generation professional, Adriana views these foundational experiences as gifts. Her vast career experience across multiple sectors has always been centered on community and human impact work. Whether that was leading supplier diversity efforts in the public sector, overseeing a statewide small business resource provider network, or launching and scaling a university’s workforce development center; her career has been anchored in lifting individuals, families, and communities.
Throughout her career more often than not she was “The Only” (person of color and/or woman) in the room. She was also often the youngest. These challenges shaped her and her desire to empower others and fight for equality in the workplace.
“Sometimes it felt as if all of my identities were under attack; a woman, a woman of color, a working mom. I can’t begin to count the number of times that people tried to ignore me, dismiss my ideas, minimize my contributions, or worse yet, take credit for them. In full transparency, it took me a while to find and lean into my professional voice and power,” says Adriana.
Read Adriana’s full story here.
Why there are so few Latina CEOs in Fortune 500 companies
Many executive leaders say it’s lonely at the top, but for Latinas who manage to rise up the corporate ladder, they often find they are the only ones like them there. Latinas are underrepresented in executive roles and often are not given the opportunities to rise up in their professions. According to a recent article by USA Today, currently there have only been two Latina CEOs in Fortune 500 companies: Geisha Williams, former CEO of PG&E; and Cheryl Miller who served as CEO of AutoNation from 2019 to 2020.
Latinas also hold fewer seats on executive boards at Fortune 500 companies than any major gender or ethnic group, making up only 1% according to the Latino Corporate Directors Association.
“You always hear people talking about what it means to be the first,” said former PG&E CEO, Geisha Williams in a TIME article. “But I think it’s important that we focus on making sure there are others. While I may be the first, I certainly don’t want to be the last.”
We need to talk about the Latina wage gap
Latina Equal Pay Day is a day that recognizes and raises awareness for the wage gap that Latina women face. More than 50 years after the passage of the Equal Pay Act of 1963, Latina workers earn only 54 cents for every dollar earned by white, non-Hispanic men. Those who work full time year-round only earn 57 cents to the dollar.
The simple truth is, Latinas are not paid fairly. In fact, Latinas have the lowest earnings of any major race or ethnicity and gender group, earning on average, 43% less than white men and 28% less than white women.
Latinas are a powerhouse population accounting for close to $1 trillion in US buying power, but earn only a fraction of what white, non-hispanic men earn. This gap has hardly moved in over 30 years, and the longstanding pay disparities Latinas face have only been exacerbated by the Covid-19 crisis.
The Latina wage gap has persisted for far too long and, if we continue to do nothing, it will take up to two centuries to close this gap.
6 Latina financial experts you should be following on social media
Financial literacy is a crucial life skill that every person should have but is often overlooked. Many are not taught financial skills and Latinos traditionally are reluctant to discuss money matters.
Many of the Latina financial experts featured below all share similar origin stories of struggling with financial literacy and seeing their families struggle with money growing up. These Latinas turned their narratives around by becoming money savvy and breaking out of the limiting beliefs about Latinos and money that held them back before.
Becoming financially aware and making conscious choices when it comes to spending and saving can make a huge difference for you and your family. This can mean saving enough for college funds, paying off student loans and credit card debt, and even retiring early!
These six Latina financial experts have the tips to help you succeed and become a money savvy woman too. Check out their stories and follow them on social media to reap the benefits of their knowledge and see those savings grow!
6 Books by Latina authors for the Latina entrepreneur
On National Read A Book Day we celebrated with some of our favorite reads by Latina Authors. These books are perfect for the Latina entrepreneur and career woman looking to advance and achieve greater success. Filled with tips and inspiring stories from Latinas who have made it to the top in their careers, these Latina authors share their expertise so YOU can succeed too.
Check out these 6 Latinas in Business must-read books by Latina authors for your next read this National Read A Book Day and beyond!
5 Women owned wellness and beauty brands we love
Everyone loves a little pampering, especially the busy entrepreneur. We all deserve to treat ourselves every once in a while and indulge in some self-care. Here at Latinas in Business we have many fierce women entrepreneurs running their own wellness and beauty brands so that you can enjoy a little luxury.
We’re sharing some of our favorite women owned wellness and beauty brands in our circle.
From Victoria Flores, CEO and founder of Lux Beauty Club: “We wanted to create accessible, cruelty-free, gluten-free, clean and transparent formulas that truly work for your body. At Lux Beauty Club we guarantee farm to home, organic ingredients from our FDA certified farms. Only clean, nothing funky. Science from the plant.”
Continue reading for more women-owned wellness brands!
15 Best Latin American soup recipes to try this winter!
Who doesn’t love a nice hot bowl of soup on a chilly winter’s day? As the temperatures continue to drop in the Northern Hemisphere, we at Latinas in Business are looking to cozy up with our favorite Latin American soup recipes.
All around the world, soup is enjoyed by every culture. Soups come in all different styles, from chunky, clear, to creamy, and can be served hot or cold. Today, we’re focusing on our favorite hot soups from around Latin America.
These cold months are the perfect time to indulge. Warm up and tryout some of these recipes and share them with your loved ones this winter.
5 popular teas in Latin America to improve sleep, focus, digestion, and more!
Are you a tea lover? Or are you looking to try something new? Warm or cold, herbal teas and other infusions are often the perfect beverage to comfort and refresh—and they come with health benefits bonuses!
Detoxification, diuretic effects, relaxing, or better digestion, both infusions and teas contain many properties that can help you start the year on the right foot!
Used for both healing purposes and social gatherings, teas and infusions are a cornerstone of Latin American and Hispanic culture. Today we’ve gathered a few of our favorite teas and infusions popular in Latin America to share with you.
Check out our list of Latin American teas and infusions here.
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