Leaders On the Mic

In this episode, host Ana Valdez, President & CEO of the Latino Donor Collaborative, sits down with Chris Cabezas, one of the most exciting Latino voices in the creator and influencer space, to talk about the power of storytelling, digital platforms, and why positive Latino representation matters now more than ever.

Chris shares how he built his platform, what inspires the stories he tells, and how creators can shape culture by...

In this episode, host Ana Valdez, President & CEO of the Latino Donor Collaborative, sits down with Julie Craig, a leader at Kantar, to explore the latest insights on U.S. Latino consumers and the tremendous opportunity this market represents for brands and business leaders.

With deep expertise in consumer research, cultural intelligence, and market strategy, Julie shares how data-driven insights can help companies better under...

In this episode, host Ana Valdez, President & CEO of the Latino Donor Collaborative, sits down with digital creator, influencer, and storyteller Nessa Diosdado.

Known for her authentic POV storytelling and powerful presence across social platforms and civil and political advocacy, Nessa has emerged as a leading Gen-Z voice exploring identity, culture, and the lived experiences of young Latinos navigating life in the U.S. Throug...

In this episode, host Ana Valdez (President & CEO of the LDC) sits down with Jessica Santiago Byrd, Multicultural Marketing Manager at IKEA U.S., and a visionary leader shaping how major brands authentically connect with diverse communities. With a career devoted to inclusive storytelling and cultural insight, Jessica has led groundbreaking work; including the launch of IKEA’s U.S. Spanish-language website and national in...

In this episode, host Ana Valdez (President & CEO of the LDC) sits down with comedian, writer, investigative storyteller, and social commentator Che Guerrero. Known for blending humor with sharp social analysis, Che has become a leading voice on issues surrounding immigration, identity, and the undocumented experience, using storytelling to spark dialogue, challenge stereotypes, and build community across platforms.

Through his...

In this episode, host Ana Valdez (President & CEO of the LDC) sits down with acclaimed unscripted-television producer and executive producer Rick Telles. Rick is best known as the Executive Producer of the recent Amazon Prime hit feature film A Million Miles Away, starring Michael Peña, and he brings decades of experience in forging compelling unscripted content.

Over his career, Rick has helped launch series such as the pionee...

In this episode, host Ana Valdez (President & CEO of the Latino Donor Collaborative) sits down with Alex Valdez and Pablo De la Fuente, the directors of a new and inspiring nature documentary film called The Power of One from in which they plan to springboard a career where they to the wildest corners of the planet, teaming up with bold eco-heroes, who are bringing endangered ecosystems back to life. Together, they embark on th...

In this episode, host Ana Valdez (President & CEO of the Latino Donor Collaborative) sits down with Christian Maldonado, one of the most dynamic Latino influencers using digital platforms to amplify culture, humor, and authentic representation.

Christian shares his journey from creating viral content to becoming a powerful voice for Latino identity online, reflecting on how storytelling, comedy, and community can shift narrativ...

On our premiere episode of Leaders On the Mic, prominent social media influencer Fernanda Cortes joins our host, Ana Valdez, to discuss how to lead a career where millions of people are influenced by your work. Fernanda shares her journey as a Latina creator, the challenges and opportunities of building an authentic online presence, and how she uses her platform to elevate Latino voices, challenge stereotypes, and even teach about ...