Our Story

Latinx MBA was founded in April 2020 during a moment of global uncertainty, when connection felt more important than ever. What began as a response to isolation during COVID-19 quickly became something bigger, a vision to unite Latinx MBA students across programs who had long been navigating these spaces without a shared community.

Each year, nearly 300 Latinx students graduate from top MBA programs in the U.S., yet many never cross paths. Latinx MBA was created to change that, transforming missed connections into a powerful, lasting network rooted in support, access, and opportunity.

By the end of 2020, the organization was officially incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and in February 2021, it launched publicly. Today, Latinx MBA stands as one of the largest and most impactful communities of Latinx MBAs, built on the belief that when we come together, we all rise.

Founders: Nancy Torres, Jessica Leon, Tiq Chapa, Andrew Mairena, Ivan Aragon, Ashley Carrick, and Liscare Castro

The Leaders Behind Latinx MBA

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Meet the leaders driving Latinx MBA forward. Our Board of Directors and Associate Board Members bring together a dynamic group of professionals united by a shared commitment to empowerment, connection, and long-term impact. Through their leadership and dedication, they are helping shape the future of the Latinx MBA community.

Board of Directors

The Latinx MBA Association is led by a Board of Directors composed of 10 MBA alumni representing a range of programs and industries. Each board member provides strategic leadership and oversees a core function of the organization.

Richard Velazquez

Chief Executive Officer

UC Berkeley - Haas

Richard Velazquez is the CEO of the Latinx MBA Association and founder of Radical Endeavors, an executive advisory firm focused on AI strategy. With 25+ years of product and marketing leadership at Microsoft Xbox, Amazon Alexa, and PepsiCo, Richard has helped launch products generating billions in revenue. He holds an MBA from UC Berkeley Haas and a B.E. in Mechanical Engineering from The Cooper Union, and has lectured on product management at institutions including Columbia University and UC Berkeley.

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Andrew Mairena

President & Co-Founder

MIT Sloan

Andrew Mairena is a Group Product Manager at Moveworks, where he leads AI and machine learning products. A co-founder of the Latinx MBA Association, he holds an MBA from MIT Sloan and brings over a decade of experience spanning semiconductors, engineering management, and enterprise software. Andrew has worked with global technology leaders including Intel, NVIDIA, and TSMC, and has deep roots in community leadership as President of the MIT Sloan SAGA Alumni Council and advisor to SHPE Silicon Valley.

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Ivan Aragon

Secretary & Co-Founder

Michigan Ross

Ivan Aragon is a co-founder of the Latinx MBA Association and the owner and managing loan officer at Sensibly Home Loans, where he specializes in helping homebuyers navigate the mortgage process with clarity and confidence. A bilingual advocate for economic empowerment, Ivan holds an MBA from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business and brings expertise in mortgage finance, operations, and community building. He is licensed in Arizona, Florida, and Texas and is passionate about expanding opportunity for the Latinx community.

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Nathalie S. Flores

Michigan Ross

Nathalie Flores is a product and technology leader with experience spanning JPMorgan Chase, Accenture, and Adaptive Group, where she specializes in Workday implementations and digital transformation. She holds an MBA from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business and a B.S. in Engineering Science from Smith College. Nathalie is also the founder of Peruvians of USA, a bilingual storytelling and community platform, and launched the first scholarship program dedicated to Peruvian-American students in 2022.

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Jeffrey Vique

Gies College of Business

Jeffrey Vique is a Senior Customer Success Manager at ServiceNow, where he leads over $50M in annual recurring revenue across strategic enterprise accounts. A bilingual connector and community builder, Jeffrey serves on multiple boards including the Latino Economic Development Center, Techqueria, and the University of Illinois Latinx Alumni Association. He holds an MBA from the University of Illinois Gies College of Business and a certificate in Product Management from Cornell University.

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Francheska Polanco

McCallum Graduate School

Francheska Polanco is a Financial Planning & Analysis Manager at Turo, where she leads financial strategy and analysis for the peer-to-peer car sharing platform. She holds an MBA from Bentley University's McCallum Graduate School of Business and brings a decade of finance experience across higher education, corporate controls, and fintech. A first-generation college graduate, Francheska is passionate about expanding economic opportunity and representation for the Latinx community.

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David Perez-Hernandez

Harvard Business School

David Perez-Hernandez is a Partner at Roble Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm investing in AI-native software companies, and was named a Venture Capital Journal Rising Star in 2026. He holds an MBA and Master of Public Policy from Harvard, and is a Fulbright Scholar with experience spanning the White House, U.S. Senate, and Silicon Valley. David also serves on the board of the Harvard Business School Latino Alumni Association and is the founding President of the HBS Angels of Austin.

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Natalie Gonzalez

Cornell Johnson

Natalie Gonzalez is a Marketing Manager at Ecolab, where she focuses on global innovation and sustainability-driven growth strategies. A first-generation Mexican-American, she holds an MBA from Cornell Johnson Graduate School of Management and a Master's in Conservation Project Management from the University of Kent. Natalie brings a unique perspective to the intersection of business and environmental impact, and is dedicated to growing the professional Latinx community.

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Nikki Suarez

Rice Business

Nikki Suarez is a Community Engagement Manager at S&P Global, covering North America and Latin America, with a background in customer experience, brand management, and corporate social responsibility. A bilingual leader, she holds an MBA from Rice University's Jones Graduate School of Business, where she received the Outstanding Woman in Leadership Award, and a Master's in International Management from Colorado State University.

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Sidney Leon

Simon Business School

Sidney Leon is a Global Procurement Associate Manager at PepsiCo and a first-generation Latina committed to uplifting underrepresented communities in business. She holds an MBA from the University of Rochester's Simon Business School and brings experience spanning supply chain, consumer products, and venture capital. A Consortium, MLT, and Forté Fellow, Sidney has also served as VP of External Partnerships at the Simon School Venture Fund and previously spent nearly six years at Disney Parks, Experiences and Products.

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Associate Board of Directors

Associate Board Members support the work of the Board through dedicated committees, helping drive key initiatives and expand our impact. Elections for Associate Board Members take place each January.