Conference Speakers

---

Chief Communications Officer

(Keynote Speaker)

Jen Buck began the first decade of her career in a startup helping to launch a billion dollar global and award-winning brand while in a leadership development training role. Having now been a professional Keynote Speaker for 24 years, she's given over 10,000 programs impacting more than one million people throughout her tenure. As a bestselling author with six publications, hosting a television show that is seen in 50 countries worldwide, as well as a podcast that highlights female leaders who are changing their corner of the world, Jen is committed to amplifying women and helping them get into the rooms where decisions are made.

 Currently, Jen is the Chief  Communications Officer for an organization and has led three U.S. Congressional campaigns as the Chief of Staff. She has also founded a nonprofit organization that helped 48,000 people, and she is on the leadership team for one of the largest women's organizations in the country, leading 20 Directors and 30,000 women. Jen understands leadership and has an impressive track record in the highest roles. With a driving desire to see more women in the executive suites and boardrooms, Jen Buck is passionate about doing everything she can to help them get there. 

Recruiting Agent 

Crescent Crown

(General Session)

Mike “Schultzz” Esparza is an executive with Crescent Crown Distributing “CCD”. He has worked in the beer and beverage industry for almost 40 years for Zeb Pearce Distributing now known as Crescent Crown Distributing. Mike has worn many hats at Crescent Crown Distributing. He has been a Salesman, Sales Supervisor, Sales Manager, Warehouse Manager, Operations & Draft Manager, Pinal County Sales Manager, and Hispanic Marketing Manager. Because of his extensive experience in those areas his talents have shifted to the Human Resources Division in order to assist in the implementation of strategic efforts in talent management for recruitment, and continued retention of qualified personnel within CCD. 

Mike has worked extensively (and tirelessly) with the Latino/Hispanic community and with various multi-cultural and diverse organizations like NAACP, Arizona Asian American Association (AAAA), and with Native American leaderships and businesses throughout Arizona as a representative of Crescent Crown Distributing. Together with Mike’s vision, and as he likes to say, with his “thinking outside the box,” Crescent Crown is a foremost leader with sponsorship and involvement in various multi-cultural events and organizations. Mike, has represented Crescent Crown with the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Arizona City Chamber of Commerce, Southwest Chamber of Commerce (Tolleson/Avondale/Litchfield/ Goodyear), West Pinal County Sheriff's Posse, and worked with Casa Grande Rodeo for over 10 years. Because of his heavy involvement over the years with various communities and organization he has had the honor of serving as a Board member for various nonprofit organizations like Arizona Hispanic Police Association, West Valley Hispanic Forum, Ballet Folklorico Quetzalli-Chandler AZ, Phoenix Mariachi Vive, Si Se Puede Foundation, and Historical Avondale Merchant’s Association. 

Mike currently serves on the Board of Directors for Chicanos Por La Causa (CPLC), and I.D.E.A. Sports/Youth Organization. Mike likes to guest speak with youth groups as a No-Bullying Spokesperson; and for the past 8 years has been invited to be a guest speaker for the Prescott Valley Police Department’s yearly event, Puente de La Comunidad/Bridge to the Community.

Mike is a graduate of the Class of 2013 Valle Del Sol’s Hispanic Leadership Institute, attended Arizona State University, and served in the United States Marine Corps, 1975-1979. From 1982 to 1985 Mike was also a professional wrestler in the East Coast and Southwest. He has enjoyed being “Rudo Luchador” (Bad Guy) for Lucha Libre sport events at various coliseos throughout Mexico. Over the years Mike wrestled under various personas (and tag team partners), with names like Skeletor, Sgt Schultzz, The Border Patrol, Mr-Mexico Luchador, to name a few. 

City Manager 

City of Phoenix

(Opening Remarks)

Jeff Barton was named City Manager in October 2021, after serving as Assistant City Manager since February 2021. Prior to that he served as Deputy City Manager since March 2020 and served as the director of the city’s Budget and Research Department since July 2015.

He has a proven track record at the city as a leader who understands the city’s finances and operations, and the important balance between the city and the community and innovative solutions.

Barton’s 21 year career with the City of Phoenix started in 1999 as in internal auditor in the City Auditor Department. In the years that followed, he held a variety of roles that focused on the city’s sound financial stewardship, including multiple auditing positions, management assistant, and deputy Budget and Research Director.

He holds a bachelor of arts degree in political science from Morehouse College and a master of public administration from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania.

Executive Vice President

Chicanos Por La Causa

(Track 2)

Mrs. Patricia Garcia Duarte is Executive Vice President, Homeownership Initiatives at Chicanos Por La Causa, Inc. (CPLC), a multi-state nonprofit organization headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona dedicated to: Health & Human Services, Housing, Education, Economic Development, and Advocacy.

Mrs. Garcia Duarte is focused on building a homeownership ecosystem to narrow the wealth gap among Hispanic, Black, Asian, Indigenous and low-income people. She previously, for 16 years, served as President and CEO at Trellis, an Arizona nonprofit, where she had the responsibilities of creating a housing vision and guiding the strategic goals to better serve clients, stakeholders, and communities. Mrs. Garcia Duarte holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Arizona State University.

For the last thirty-five years, she has worked in the community development sector. She is a former member of the Inaugural Community Advisory Board of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Community Advisory Council of the Federal Reserve. She has been a volunteer board member of non-profits groups that promote self-sufficiency through economic development and affordable housing opportunities to low and moderate-income individuals. She previously served on the City of Phoenix Commission on Housing and Neighborhoods, City of Mesa Housing Task Force, the Regional Workforce Housing Task Force, and the South-Central Transit Oriented Development Steering Committee for the City of Phoenix.

Currently, she is a board member at Community Housing Capital, a national Community Development Financial Institution; City of Phoenix, Parks & Preserve Initiative Oversight Committee, National NeighborWorks Association, Downtown Phoenix Community Development Corp., Rio Reinvestment & Redevelopment Committee, and the Arizona Community Foundation. She is also a community advisory member to Comerica Bank, Western Alliance Bank and Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco Affordable Housing Advisory Council.

She is a past recipient of the following awards: 2009 Brian Mickelson Housing Hero Award, 2010 Lupe Sisneros Memorial Award, 2011 NNA Emerging Leader Award, 2011 BBVA Compass Visionary Team Leader Award, 2016 Outstanding Women in Business, 2016 Rosa Carrillo Humanitarian Award and 2022 Women of Achievement.

As an advocate, she is attentive to matters that impact consumers, especially low-moderate income individuals and families. Mrs. Garcia Duarte is an Arizona native, raised in Yuma County and lives in Chandler, AZ.

Executive Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer 

Meritage Homes

(Track 3 - Session A)

A Senior Human Resources executive possessing more than twenty years of diverse experience within some of the world’s preeminent organizations. Javier Feliciano joined Meritage Homes (NYSE: MTH), the fifth largest public homebuilder in the United States, in 2015 as EVP and Chief People Officer. Prior to Meritage, Javier held Human Resources leadership positions with PepsiCo, Ford Motor Company, Apollo Education Group and Valeo.

A graduate of the Ford Motor Company Human Resources Development Program and Modern CHRO Executive Education Program through Cornell University. Javier holds a Masters degree in Human Resources and Labor Relations and a BA in Criminal Justice both from Michigan State University. He and his wife have two children and live in the Phoenix, Arizona area.

Javier has been a Board member of Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce since 2015 and is the Co- Chair of the Compensation Committee.

  Tax Policy Analyst 

League of Arizona Cities and Towns

(Lunch Session) 

Lee Grafstrom is the Tax Policy Analyst for the League of Arizona Cities and Towns. In this role, he assists the cities and towns with all tax matters, including representing them before the Municipal Tax Code Commission regarding changes to the Model City Tax Code. Lee provides advice and assistance on city ordinance and resolution preparation for tax and licensing issues, and acts as a liaison to the Arizona Department of Revenue. Lee is a member of the City Tax Administrators Council and chairs the MCTC Review Committee, working on efforts to simplify and modernize the Model City Tax Code. During the legislative session, Lee defends the financial and administrative interests of all cities and towns through analysis of bills and amendments, preparing position papers and determining the potential impact of tax law changes for cities and towns. Prior to joining the League, Lee was the Tax Audit Supervisor for the City of Chandler for 14 years and began his career in state and local tax in 1991 as a sales tax auditor for the California Board of Equalization in its Chicago office. Lee is an Air Force veteran who holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a Master of Public Administration degree from Arizona State University.

Director of Arts Culture and Library 

City of Surprise 

(Track 2) 

Kelsey is the Director of the Arts, Culture & Library Department in Surprise, Arizona. Her current responsibilities include developing, managing and leading one of the city's newest department. Prior to this role, Kelsey served as the Assistant to the City Manager where she designed and implemented the City's Performance Management Dashboard which tie performance metric indicators to key city services and the City Council's Strategic Priorities. She has also served in the Economic Development Department where she provided data analytics, economic modeling and marketing support.
Kelsey is an ASU Certified Public Manager and has recently completed the ICMA High Performance Leadership Academy. She holds a Master's Degree in Public Policy with an emphasis in government and policy from Grand Canyon University and a Bachelor's Degree in Urban Planning and Development from Ball State University.

Attorney

LaVoie Law Firm 

(Track 3 - Session A)

Tabatha Cuellar LaVoie is an attorney licensed to practice in Arizona. She represents business owners, enterprises, and key executives with a variety of legal matters including corporate structures, compliance, corporate governance and maintenance, buy & sell-side mergers and acquisitions, product licensing strategies, joint ventures, partnerships, strategic alliances, financing, investments, and growth strategies. Mrs. LaVoie works with clients across many industries including commercial real estate, healthcare, technology, manufacturing, distribution, and professional services. She negotiates, structures, and resolves complex legal issues for both domestic and international clients.

Mrs. LaVoie was born in Mexico City, immigrated to the United States and became a naturalized U.S. citizen at the age of 8. She has called Arizona home since 1980. She is fluent in both English and Spanish.

Mrs. LaVoie graduated from Arizona State University with a Juris Doctor in 1998 and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management in 1993. She also holds an International MBA from Thunderbird, School of Global Management where she graduated in 1998. Mrs. LaVoie was admitted to practice law in 1999 and is an active member of the State Bar of Arizona.

Mrs. LaVoie has worked in large national law firms, as in-house counsel for a Fortune 500 Company and currently owns a private practice focused around legal excellence at a personalized level. She was Vice President and Director of Post-Execution, Real Estate at PetSmart. She was appointed by Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano to serve as a member of the Arizona-Mexico Commission for five years. Mrs. LaVoie is past-Chair of the Business Law Section of the State Bar of Arizona and severed on the Executive Council prior to her chairmanship. She has served on the boards of the Scottsdale Bar Association and the Arizona Kidney Foundation, and presently serves on the Board of the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and is the current Secretary of the Executive Committee. Additionally, Mrs. LaVoie actively volunteers with many philanthropic and community organizations.

Senior Director of Business Growth

Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

(Track 3 - Session B)

For four and a half years, Eric McIntosh has served as Senior Director of Business Growth at the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. In this role, he is responsible for facilitating strategic business relationships, consulting business owners, and providing the resources needed to grow their businesses. When out of the office, he enjoys playing sports, spending time with his family, and going to concerts.

Dean of Operations, College of Doctoral Studies

University of Phoenix

(Facilitator - Track 3)

John Ramirez is a native of Phoenix, Arizona. After graduating from high school, CSM (Retired) Ramirez enlisted in the U.S. Army as a Combat Engineer. CSM (Retired) Ramirez served in the United States Army for 27 years and retired as a Command Sergeant Major. During his military service he served world-wide in numerous leadership positions.

John has been a member of the University of Phoenix since November 2004. He has held numerous positions that include Senior Operations Manager, Director of Operations, Associate Campus Director for the School of Advanced Studies, and Vice President of External Military Relations. He currently serves as the Dean of Operations for the College of Doctoral Studies.

His education includes Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration from Arizona State University, a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from University of Phoenix, and a Master of Science in Administration of Justice and Security with a concentration in Global and Homeland Security from University of Phoenix.

John is active with numerous groups including Council of Colleges and Military Educators, National Association of Institutions for Military Education Services, American Society for Industrial Security, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education. He also supports a variety of national and Phoenix-based veteran charitable and non-profit organizations.

John was the recipient of the Association of Latino Professionals for America’s (ALPFA) National 2017 Veteran of the Year Award and served the Chairman of the Corporate Advisory Board for the Phoenix Chapter of ALPFA in 2016 and 2017. In 2020 he was inducted into the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame. He serves as the advisor for the UOPX chapter of The National Society of Leadership and Success and currently serves as the Chairman of the Board for the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Budget and Finance Manager

Scottsdale Police Department

(Track 2)

Marcus Steele serves as the Budget & Finance Manager for the Scottsdale Police Department at the City of Scottsdale, Arizona. He has extensive experience in leading teams in budget and finance, grant management, capital improvement programs, and process improvement. 

Additionally, Marcus is the Local Government Hispanic Network (LGHN) Vice President, Membership/Executive Committee. Marcus was the Founding Chair of the Mesa (Arizona) Hispanic Network in 2018 when he also first became involved with LGHN. Marcus is currently establishing the Scottsdale Hispanic Network with other LGHN members. He serves as the Chair of the LGHN membership committee and has assisted building, developing, and engaging LGHN chapters across the country.

Marketing Manager

Phoenix Suns 

(Track 1)

  Chelsea is a sports marketing professional at the Phoenix Suns. Born in LA, raised in the Valley, she graduated with a bachelors degree in marketing and psychology from Arizona State University. In her fourth season with the Suns, Chelsea has led a wide range of marketing initiatives including producing merch lines, brand videos, half-time performances and uniform designs. She enjoys using her platform for the good of the community and especially in helping marginalized communities feel seen and heard through positive representation. In addition to her marketing profession, she is a member of the Phoenix Suns Charities grant community and serves as a mentor to young children on the south side of Phoenix. 

Radio Host

The Dana Cortez Show!

(Track 1)

Host of The Dana Cortez Show!, the first Latina-led syndicated Morning Show in the country. Witty, funny and with lots of opinions Dana Cortez  is blazing a path for female hosts on radio. As the lead of a male dominated cast, Dana is the voice of her listeners. Starting out as single mom she knows first-hand about the struggle—and listeners identify, clinging to her words of advice and encouragement. Married to one of her co-host DJ Automatic, conversations are authentic and real.

Vice President of Content Development and Syndication

Skyview Networks

(Track 1)

Raul Isaac Colindres (Rico) is a Latino-American producer, broadcaster, comedian, actor, storyteller and Vice President of Content Development and Syndication for Skyview Networks. 

His production company - Mama Rico Productions - is devoted to telling stories that mean something, that connect with people, and help inspire and support the next generation of multi-cultural storytellers. As a creative consultant and collaborator, he delivers shows that engage and resonate with audiences. 

With 25+ years in entertainment, Rico has an innate sense of what works for today’s listeners. He has produced, consulted and helped launch legendary shows in Top 5 U.S. markets: On-Air with Ryan Seacrest, KIIS FM - LA, Cipha Sounds & Rosenberg, Hot97 - NYC, Carmen Calls & Sabado Picante, The Dana Cortez Show, Nick Cannon Radio – National Syndication.

As an award-winning industry veteran and content creator, Rico’s partnership with Skyview allows him to work with brilliant content creators that authentically speak to audiences of all demographics. Rico’s quick-wit captivates mainstream audiences, while his strategic data-driven methods are revolutionizing the industry, making him a proven hit-maker. 

Interim Deputy EOD Director 

City of Phoenix

(Track 2)

She’s mostly known as Mrs. Renee and is a combat retired Army veteran proudly served for 26 years. Married a native New Yorker who is a Jets diehard fan, while she is a diehard New England Patriots fan. Renee is very passionate about keeping a clean and safe environment, a pet lover, vocalist, and community activist. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Grantham University, Lenexa, KS, and a master’s in legal studies from Washington University, St. Louis, MO. Renee is an adventurous individual and showed it while she was a paratrooper for 2 years at Fort Bragg, N.C. (she is definitely not doing that anymore), She recently earned her Juris Doctor Degree in 2022 from William Howard Taft Law, Santa Ana, CA-- becoming the first female lawyer in her family. One of her greatest accomplishments is becoming a lifetime member of the NAACP and a devoted member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, where she is committed to advocating for equality, equity, and inclusion for all!

Tattoo Artist

(Track 1)

Known as "BLK JAX,”  a highly revered and accomplished tattoo artist by trade and a NUISANCE by night. “Nuisance,” meaning that his work is intended to bother a large number of people and force them to pay attention. Larson says ‘I want them to fear me every time I pick up a paint brush.’ Some call him a muralist, but AJ sees himself as a “STREET journalist,” telling forgotten or never told stories of people in Latino communities mainstream media won’t cover.

Program Director 

Radio Campesina

(Track 1)

  Starting as an on-air talent and Promotions Tech with our Phoenix Station, it has been more than two decades since Maria Barquin joined CRG, working her way through the ranks to Promotions Director and eventually landing in her current role as Program Director. Not only has she established herself as a prominent figure in radio broadcasting as one of the very few female Program Directors in a male-dominated industry, but she has also received awards and accolades for her Spanish-language network programming from some of the most influential organizations that track and measure broadcasting performance.

Maria’s life can be considered the epitome of the “American dream”, coming from very humble beginnings in Rocky Point, Baja California, Mexico, she emigrated to the United States at the young age of 14 along with her parents and siblings. It was only a few years later that she recognized she had a curiosity turned passion for broadcasting which drove her to seek out opportunities and complete her Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcasting Business Management at the nationally recognized Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Arizona State University in 2003. She later continued her education, receiving her Master’s Degree of Science in Digital Audience Strategies also from the Cronkite School in 2021. Due to her personal values and the challenges she confronted to accomplish her ambitions as an immigrant in the U.S., she has always felt a need to be of service to the community. This is why she has and continues to serve on various community boards such as the Phoenix Census, Hispanic Advisory Police Committee, Siena Vista HOA Board of Directors, the Arizona Animal Welfare League & SPCA, All In Education, and the BBB Arizona Board of Directors.

 Media Host

(Track 1)

Anthony “Anthony A” Almanzar has managed to grasp the wheel of his career and steer into success. The multi-faceted media personality has fused his passion for making others laugh with his infectious personality, creating the perfect blend of humor and charm. The failed gang member has a no-holds-barred style of comedy and he marries it together with his experiences of growing up a Chicano man in the United States of America. You can see him hosting comedy shows around the country and you can hear him on the nationally syndicated Dana Cortez Show.