Celebrating Leadership and Empowering the Next Generation

Riverside City College (RCC) had the distinct honor of hosting four trailblazing Latina leaders as part of an online speaker series celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. The series, moderated by Thomas Cruz-Soto, Interim Vice President of Student Services, featured Iris Martinez, former Illinois State Senator and the first Latina Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County; Leticia Flores-Poole, Senior Regional Manager of Zero Barriers to Business; Venus Ginés, Founder of Día de la Mujer Latina, Inc.; and Adriana Ocampo, an aerospace engineer specializing in supply chain. These dynamic women shared stories of resilience, success, and their commitment to empowering the Hispanic community.

Hearing from voices within one’s own community is a powerful experience, especially for aspiring young leaders and entrepreneurs. With her trailblazing work in public office and relentless advocacy for healthcare access and educational equity, Iris Martinez inspired students to rise above barriers. Leticia Flores-Poole offered invaluable insights into her advocacy for Latino and Hispanic entrepreneurs, emphasizing the importance of community empowerment. Venus Ginés, a 32-year breast cancer survivor, shared her journey of addressing critical health issues in underserved communities, highlighting the strength of advocacy. Adriana Ocampo provided insight into aerospace, portfolio management, and the world of supply chain operations.

“This series is about more than just celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month—it’s about providing our students with role models who exemplify resilience and leadership,” said Cruz-Soto. “By hearing firsthand from leaders like Iris Martinez, Leticia Flores-Poole, Venus Ginés, and Adriana Ocampo students gain insight into overcoming challenges and staying true to their cultural identity while achieving success. These stories offer invaluable lessons on perseverance, the power of community, and the importance of cultural pride in personal and professional growth.”

The session’s powerful narratives were inspirational and provided students with examples of what it means to break barriers while staying deeply connected to one’s cultural identity.

Shawna Bu’Shell, Dean of Educational Services and Distance Learning and creator of the series reflected, " It was an incredible experience to design a Latino-focused webinar for Hispanic Heritage Month. This project allowed us to celebrate the rich cultural contributions of the Hispanic community while also fulfilling one of our core missions in Distance Education—engaging and supporting our online students. The interactive format fostered meaningful connections and empowered participants to celebrate their heritage while continuing to learn and grow in a virtual environment.”

These women's stories will undoubtedly inspire and guide future leaders striving to make their mark on the world.