Progreso Latino Fund

Celebrating Latine Leaders

Inspired by HBO's "The Latino List," Celebrating Latine Leaders brings you up-close and personal interviews with Latine leaders serving Greater New Haven and Connecticut.

A man with short dark hair and a beard smiles at the camera in a well-lit room. The name Joe Rodriguez appears in bold white text on the left side of the image.
Joe Rodriguez, State Deputy Director for Sen. Richard Blumenthal Credit: Contributed

Leading From Where You Are

The Progreso Latino Fund (PLF) is pleased to present the series: Celebrating Latine Leaders. While the individuals profiled represent a diverse group of men and women from many countries, professions and age groups, each is united by his or her commitment to social change through giving back and creating opportunities for others. PLF seeks to expand the definition of leadership to promote the leadership and advancement of Latines.

We hope you are inspired by the profiles below of Latine leaders in our community.

Recommend a Latine Leader.

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Now More than Ever, We Must Unite to Strengthen Our Collective Voice ›

09.11.2025

Ensure Greater New Haven’s Latine community is not only heard, but empowered.

A man with short dark hair and a beard smiles at the camera against a plain background. The name Joe Rodriguez is displayed in bold white text in the lower left corner.

Celebrating Latine Leaders: Joe Rodriguez ›

08.01.2022

"I firmly believe that we all have a role."

A smiling man in a white shirt sits indoors with a lamp, bookshelves, and world map art behind him. The text Jacob Padrón appears in bold white letters on the left side of the image.

Celebrating Latine Leaders: Jacob Padrón ›

11.10.2021

"New Haven is a glorious city full of different communities, full of different experiences, is incredibly diverse, and I want the stages at Long Wharf Theatre to reflect that diversity."

A woman with curly hair and hoop earrings smiles at the camera during a video call, with a bulletin board and wall art visible in the background. YouTube video controls are displayed at the bottom of the image.

Celebrating Latine Leaders: Gabriela Garcia Perez ›

09.01.2021

"We are in a time where divisiveness is very prevalent and I think the reason why is that we are not having many interactions with each other from different cultures or socio-economic backgrounds."

A man wearing a tan cap and green jacket stands outdoors, smiling, with greenery in the background. There is a play button icon over the image, indicating this is a video thumbnail.

Celebrating Latine Leaders: Domingo Medina ›

12.03.2020

"I was happy to learn about the Progreso Latino Fund because I was able to see people … that are second, third or fourth generation Latinos that are leaders in their communities: they're in finance, they're in education, they're in health, they're making an impact..."

Smiling man with glasses and a beard in a suit and tie. Text reads Progreso Latino Fund at the top and Celebrating Latino Leaders along the left side on a maroon background.

Celebrating Latino Leaders: Michael Negrón ›

12.03.2020

“Networks are key. But we need to ask ourselves, how well are we promoting and publicizing the things we have, and leveraging the resources and opportunities for Latinos in our community?”

Smiling woman with straight dark hair wearing a pink blazer, white top, and a pearl necklace, posing in front of a plain light gray background.

Celebrating Latino Leaders: Yolanda Caldera-Durant ›

12.03.2020

"A really important part of my continued success is my giving back to young people, helping them develop leadership skills and helping them understand that they deserve success as much as anyone else."

A woman with long brown hair and glasses smiles at the camera. She is wearing a shiny green floral-patterned jacket. The background is plain and beige.

Celebrating Latino Leaders: Raquel Santiago-Martinez ›

12.03.2020

“If you live by a certain set of values and people respect you for those values, 90 percent of your success is achieved.”

A man with short dark hair, wearing a blue button-up shirt, stands in front of a red background with partially visible white text reading Latino Fund. He is smiling slightly with his arms crossed.

Celebrating Latino Leaders: Jordy Padilla ›

12.03.2020

“It’s a duty of mine, as an educated individual, to fight for the people who didn’t have the same opportunity as me.”

A man in a light blue suit and patterned tie stands in front of a red background with the words Latino Fund partially visible. He has short brown hair and a trimmed beard, looking directly at the camera.

Celebrating Latino Leaders: Ricardo Henriquez ›

12.01.2020

"You do not always have to understand what someone is asking you to do if there is trust in the middle."

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