Through the A Proud Past…A Powerful Tomorrow breakfast more than 500 conference participants learned about the Mendez vs. Westminster school desegregation case in Orange County that set the precedent for the Brown vs. Board of Education Supreme Court Ruling. Following a excerpt of the Emmy Award-winning Sandra Robbie Film Mendez vs. Westminster: For All the Children / Para Todos los Niños, Sandra Robbie, Sylvia Mendez who was nine years old when she testified in the historic case, and Cynthia Valenzuela, Director of Litigation for MALDEF, discussed the importance of the case as well as their personal connections to segregation.  For more information on the case please visit http://www.mendezvwestminster.com/ or http://www.koce.org/prodMendez.htm. 

The Conference workshops were a tremendous opportunity for participants to weigh in on the education system in Los Angeles; navigate personal finances; and develop a roadmap to success in the corporate sector. 

Latinas in Corporate America: How Do You Get In? How Do We Fare? And How Do You Advance?

This interactive workshop began with a “Women at the Top” dialogue featuring:  

• Debra Reed, President/CEO, Southern California Gas Company and San Diego  Gas & Electric;
• Maria Contreras-Sweet, Chairwoman, PROMERICA Bank; and
• Betsy Berkhemer-Credaire, President, Berkhemer Clayton, Inc.
    

The workshop continued with smaller break out sessions, where participants had the opportunity to ask questions and receive advice from a cadre of established professional Latinas representing a spectrum of management level positions in the corporate sector including:

• Luisa Acosta-Franco, Assistant Vice President of Emerging Markets, Farmers Insurance;
• Elizabeth Atlee, Senior Attorney, BP America Inc;
• Alma Banuelos, Senior Vice President, Wells Fargo Bank;
• Gretchen Rivas, Windows Client Solution Specialist, Microsoft; and
• Facilitator: Susan Sifuentes-Trigueros, Regional Public Affairs Manager, Southern California Gas Company/A Sempra Energy Utility

Education in Los Angeles: Are We On Track?

The Community Track, “Education in Los Angeles, Are we on track?”, provided an interactive dialogue with policy leaders responsible for setting a vision for education and implementing reform in the Los Angeles Unified School District featuring:

• Ray Cortines, Deputy Mayor for Education Youth and Families, City of Los Angeles;
• LAUSD School Board Member Monica Garcia;
• Dr. Julie Mendoza, University of California College Prep Online
• Julie Slayton, Los Angeles Unified School District; and
• Moderator:  Veronica Melvin, Alliance for a Better Community
   

Get Your Financial House in Order
 
The Financial Track, “Get Your Financial House in Order,” was designed to provide practical financial planning tools and information for the emerging Latina. Financial experts Rose Ann Djelmane from Countrywide Home Loans, Leticia Villanueva from Farmers Insurance, and Ana Sandoval from Union Bank of California offered strategies and advice to help participants leverage their current assets into a more prosperous financial future. Topics included: Strategies to get out of debt and increase savings; Understanding your credit score and it’s implications on longer term investments; Opportunities and pitfalls for purchasing a first home; and Purchasing the correct insurance to maximize protection of your assets.

Build Your Financial House for the Future

The Financial Track, “Build Your Financial House for the Future,” was designed for the established Latina professional who owns her own home, is contributing to her retirement, may have a little saved for a rainy day, and is asking what her next financial move is. Financial experts Lupe Flores from Farmers Insurance, Henry Balderas and Alfonso Garcia from Wells Fargo Bank, and Irma Varga from Tierra Properties provided methods for building wealth through investments in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and real estate. Experts also provided information on saving for college, estate planning, and adequately protecting your financial legacy.

Youth Financial Literacy Workshop
 
How to Have It All- Education, Careers and Financial Independence!
By starting good financial management habits at a young age, participants will be better prepared to handle their finances as adults.  Girls, Inc.® conducted an interactive and exciting workshop that coached participants to effectively use money as a tool for self-sufficiency and  empowerment.

The Celebrating Latina Leadership Luncheon featured Michelle Caruso-Cabrera, one of the few women working on Wall Street who shared her inside view on the global economy.

The day concluded with the Comadre Network, a space where participants, presenters, speakers, and sponsors connected to share experiences, expertise, and questions.