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The National Hispana Leadership Institute (NHLI) is a national 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Washington, DC, established in 1987 for the empowerment of Latinas. NHLI was created as a reaction to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Glass Ceiling Initiative, which stated that women in minority groups were not advancing to managerial positions. According to the organizations website, “NHLI’s mission is to develop Hispanas as ethical leaders through training, professional development, relationship building and community activism." NHLI carries out their mission by serving a variety of Latinas from all over the nation; through leadership programs NHLI enables them to become active participants and contributors in their communities. NHLI's vision is to elevate and highlight the role Latinas are playing in all sectors and to bring about a change in the way they are so commonly viewed. Through leadership progams NHLI seeks to empower Latinas and prepare them to take positions of leadership.

Work
According to the organization’s website, “NHLI seeks to transform the lives of Latinas and their communities by enhancing and developing leadership abilities among Latinas, ensuring that Latinas are in leadership positions and have the access and power to influence public policy and by providing visible role models and mentors for Latinas." As stated by Latina Style Magazine, NHLI’s mission and its programs “[improve] services to Hispanics across the country through its extensive alumnae. NHLI has also given many Latinas a voice and prepares them to compete at any level in any industry.”  NHLI's programs are designed to include Latinas from all over the nation, from college age students to middle age professionals. The organization's main focus is to train, educate and prepare Latinas for leadership roles.

History
NHLI was created in 1987, sponsored by The Coors Brewing Company in collaboration with Maria Elena Toraño and Associates (META), a national consulting firm. The goal was to create a program for Hispanic women that would stimulate and endorse Latina representation in government or corporate sectors. Through focus groups and interviews with Hispanic women META collected vital information that showed Hispanic women were in need of leadership programs that would equip them with the necessary tools to step into leadership roles. Coors sponsored the National Hispana Leadership Initiative, which opened the door for 20 Latinas participants to enroll in a 9 month leadership program. In 1988 NHLI was incorporated as a non profit organization in Colorado and its board of directors was established. A major step took place in 1989 when The Center for Creative Leadership and The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University became partners in NHLI's Executive Leadership program. In 1993 NHLI moved headquarters from Denver, Colorado to Washington, D.C. Since its establishment NHLI has developed a number of programs that identify specific needs among Latinas.

Programs
NHLI has been an instrumental contributor and a direct front-runner in equipping Latinas through leadership programs that enable and prepare them for positions of leadership. According to hispanicprblog.com, “since its founding in 1987, NHLI has developed hundreds of Latina leaders who have become elected officials, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, executives at non-profits and powerful decision makers.”

According to its website, “NHLI’s signature program, the Executive Leadership Program (ELP), remains the award winning program. Throughout the years, NHLI has determined to expand its programs offerings to address voids in leadership development for the college-age Latina and the nonprofit Latina leader. In 2001, NHLI launched the Latinas Learning To Lead (LLL) program aimed at young Latinas ages 18 to 24 enrolled in college, designed to promote college completion and provide leadership building training. Recognizing a need to address the leadership interests of Latinas in nonprofits, the Advancing Latina Leaders in Nonprofits (ALL IN) program was launched in 2010.”

Executive Leadership Program (ELP)
This program provides mid-career professional Latinas in the public and private sectors four intensive one-week training sessions over a nine month period in four locations (California, Harvard, Center for Creative Leadership, and Washington DC). The rigorous curriculum consists of learning about cross cultural communication, strategic management, public policy, and leadership building. In addition, each participant mentors at least two other Latinas and completes a leadership project in her community.

Latinas Learning to Lead Program (LLL)
A five-day intensive leadership program for Latinas ages 18-24 enrolled in college, designed to promote college completion and provide skills-building training for effective leadership in the 21st century. Graduates are matched with a mentor and also agree to mentor at least two younger Latinas and implement a leadership program. LLL participants come from diverse geographical areas within the Hispanic community and approximately 80% are the first generation college students and from low income families.

Advancing Latina Leaders In Nonprofits (ALL IN)
Program is designed for Latinas 24-34 years of age working in the nonprofit sector. The program consists of a five-day training program (in partnership with Georgetown University’s Center for Public and Nonprofit Leadership), a series of webinars, and a two-day institute in November (in conjunction with the NHLI Annual Executive Leadership Conference). The program also includes a mentorship component and practical experience in the form of a leadership project in order to develop participants’ leadership and management skills, help them find their voice as effective community leaders, and build their external networks.

Alumnae
Over the past 25 years countless of Latinas have graduated from NHLI’s leadership programs. Graduates have been appointed to leadership positions in the government sector, within corporate America, for non-profit organizations and foundations, or have started their own businesses. Some of the graduates include Gloria Bonilla Santiago, Nely Galán, Carmen Lomellin, Ella Ochoa, Maria Vizcarrondo-De Soto, Esmeralda Santiago, Cynthia Chavez, Marisa Demeo, Giovanna Negretti, Amy Serrano, Monica Garcia, Rep. Delia Garcia.

Conferences
NHLI is the host of the annual Executive Leadership Training Conference and Mujer Awards Gala featuring keynote speakers, multiple sessions and workshops on executive leadership, personal and professional development, networking, knowledge, inspiration and leadership training. Conference attendees include local and national leaders in corporate America, non-profits, government, media, higher education, as well as entrepreneurs, students, artists, authors and others. The Mujer Award Gala celebrated since 1993, “is a premier event that pays tribute to the sustained lifetime achievements of three exceptional Hispanic women who have served their community in the United States.”

“Mujer Award”
The Mujer Award honors the outstanding commitment and contributions made by Hispanic women to their communities. It also endeavors to bring national attention and recognition to their work. Two awards are given out, one at the national level and another at the regional level. The National Award honors the sustained lifetime achievement of a Latina who has made a significant contribution to the empowerment and well-being of the Hispanic community at the national level. The Regional Award honors a Latina who has had an impact on her community with dedication and leadership also bringing national attention to the recipient's regional work. Recipients have demonstrated to possess personal integrity and ethical leadership to create change among Hispanic communities. Past honorees have included journalist and TV anchor Maria Elena Salinas, NCLR’s President Janet Murguia, actresses Rosario Dawson and Eva Longoria. The 2012 award will be presented at NHLI's Mujer Awards Gala on December 11, 2012 in Washington, DC, following the Annual Executive Leadership Training Conference.

Past “Mujer” Awardees:

 * 1993 Antonia Pantoja
 * 1994 Dolores Huerta
 * 1995 Juana Beatriz Gutierrez
 * 1996 Irma Flores Gonzalez
 * 1997 Miriam Colon
 * 1998 Antonia Coello Novello
 * 1999 Mary Lou Tullos Garcia
 * 2000 Antonia Hernandez
 * 2000 Marylou Olivarez Mason
 * 2001 Linda Chavez-Thompson
 * 2001 Lena Archuleta, (Colorado Women's Hall of Fame)
 * 2002 Cristina Saralegui
 * 2002 Sonia Gutierrez
 * 2003 Sara Martinez Tucker
 * 2003 Dr. Juliet V. Garcia (The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College)
 * 2004 Marjorie Agosin
 * 2004 Adelfa Botello Cajello
 * 2005 Consuelo Castillo Kickbusch
 * 2005 Eva Pagan Hill
 * 2006 Dr. Gloria G. Rodriguez
 * 2006 Moraima Oyola Pizzaro
 * 2006 Eva Longoria
 * 2007 Dr. Gloria Bonilla Santiago
 * 2007 Dr. Mary De Ferreire
 * 2007 Rosario Dawson
 * 2008 Dr. Angela Diaz
 * 2008 Rosanna Rosado
 * 2008 Nely Galan
 * 2009 Patricia Diaz Dennis
 * 2009 Emma Sepulveda, Ph.D.
 * 2009 Rosie Perez
 * 2009 Soledad O'Brien
 * 2009 Janet Murguia
 * 2010 Remedios Diaz-Oliver
 * 2010 Maria Elena Salinas
 * 2010 Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
 * 2011 Lillian Roybal Rose
 * 2011 Gloria Molina
 * 2011 Maria Contreras-Sweet
 * 2011 Hon. Lucille Roybal-Allard
 * 2011 Maria Hinojosa

Social Media Presence
NHLI has been able to maintain a noteworthy social media presence within the past few years. Its Facebook as well as Twitter activity is in constant motion, specifically targeting Latinas in all sectors. In 2011 LATISM a “501(c) 4 nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to advancing the social, civic and economic status of the Latino community ” presented NHLI with the “Best Non-For-Profit Organization Using Social Media to Reach Latino(a)s award. Reaching almost 3,000 Facebook followers and 2,600 plus Twitter users, NHLI seems to be gaining more territory within social media.

Interim President
Barbara J. DesMarteau currently serves as the Acting President of the National Hispana Leadership Institute (NHLI) in Washington DC. Barbara formerly served on the NHLI Board of Directors and is an alumna from the Executive Leadership Program from the class of 1994.

Barbara was appointed by President Barack Obama as Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) at the U.S. Department of Labor in 2010. She was responsible for the overall management and administration of employment and training policies and programs. As the Deputy Assistant Secretary she exercised executive direction of ETA’s programs supporting and directing the nation’s workforce system.

Prior to the appointment, she served 11 years as the Director of the Adams County, Colorado Community & Economic Opportunity Department that included the Workforce & Business Centers, Community Development, Head Start and Libraries. Adams County is located in the Denver, Colorado metro area and includes a population of over 430,000 residents. The Community & Economic Opportunity Department was one of 8 cabinet level departments directly reporting to the Board of County Commissioners.

Barbara also served as the Executive Director of the Mi Casa Resource Center for Women, a non-profit community based organization with several locations in Colorado. Additionally, Barbara managed human services programs for the Arizona Department of Economic Security, Community Services Administration in Phoenix, Arizona.

Barbara completed the Senior Executive Program for State and Local officials at Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government. She also completed the International Career Advancement Program at the University of Denver and the Head Start – Johnson & Johnson Fellows Program at the UCLA Anderson School of Management.

Barbara attended graduate school at the University of Kansas, and has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas. Barbara is also an alumnae member of the National Hispana Leadership Institute.

Chair
Marieli Colon-Padilla is Chair of the National Hispana Leadership Institute's (NHLI) Board of Directors and a 2006 Executive Leadership Program graduate.

With more than a decade of experience in reaching Latino consumers through marketing efforts in the nonprofit sector, bilingual and mono-lingual education for Latinos on social issues, and bilingual media relations, Marieli serves as Vice President of Fleishman-Hillard’s Hispanic issues and marketing communications practice, FH Hispania®, based in Washington, D.C.

She is committed to using her skills and exceptional marketing and public relations expertise to serve her community and to the advancement of Latinos and Latinas throughout the United States.

Marieli serves on various Latino and women organizations boards including: the National Alliance for Hispanic Families, Girl Scouts of the Nation's Capital; and served on the Board of the U.S. Hispanic Leadership Institute; and the Commission to End Health Care Disparities established by the American Medical Association, the National Medical Association, and the National Hispanic Medical Association.

Her leadership has received nationwide praise being selected by Latino Leaders Magazine as one of the “Ones to Watch” in their Inspired Leaders inaugural issue. The December/January issue features 20 Latinos under 40 as rising stars. Other recognitions throughout the years have included: Latin Leader RISE: Mujeres del Nuevo Millenio, Girls Scouts Gold Medal and Community Service and Leadership Award and being named one of the Top Latinas in the Nation by Hispanic Online Magazine in 2004.

In 2009, she was appointed to the Military Leadership Diversity Commission (MLDC), Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness and was invited to America's Leaders of Change (ALOC), a National Urban Fellows program for leaders on the rise in the government, non-profit and private sectors.

Awards and recognitions aside, Marieli is a great role model for Latinos/as nationwide because she represents the leader of today who combines her passion with her responsibility for the common good of our communities.

As a board member and alumnae, Marieli exemplifies the values NHLI promotes of developing ethical Latina leaders and she pays it forward by mentoring and developing other Latinas.

Board of Directors
Marieli Colon-Padilla-Chairwoman of the Board, Fleishman-Hillard

Antonia Jimenez, Vice Chair, LA County

Mayda Prego, Secretary, Chevron Products Company

Dr. Margaret Quiñones-Perez, Treasurer, El Camino College

Carmen Bauza, Wal-Mart

Maria Cardona, Dewey Square Group (DSG)

Dr. Catalina Garcia, Dallas Anesthesiology, Group P.A

Michelle Minguez Moore, Voto Latino

Peter R. Villegas, JPMorgan Chase

H. Analco Gonzalez, OCI Group

Marcela Bailey, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Laura S. Nieto, Southwest Airlines

1987-1988

 * NHLI was created in response to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Glass Ceiling Initiative.
 * The institute is founded is created with sole funding corporate partner Coors Brewing Company.
 * 20 Hispanas complete the first NHLI National Executive Leadership Program

1989

 * NHLI is incorporated as a nonprofit organization in the State of Colorado.
 * The NHLI Borad of Directors is established.
 * The Center for Creative Leadership and the JFK School of Government at Harvard University become the pillars of NHLI’s Executive Leadership Program.

1990

 * The Board of directors develops a long term strategic plan for NHLI.
 * “Latina” the first organization newsletter is published.
 * New corporate and foundation sponsorships are developed.

1991

 * A total of 95 NHLI graduates complete the National Executive Leadership Program.
 * A community leadership project component is added to the National Executive Leadership Program. Each fellow mentors two Hispanic women for at least two years and develops a leadership training program or conference for at least 25 Hispanic women or girls in their communities. The net result is that each year at least 550 other Latinas across the country are impacted by the leadership skills and knowledge gained by the fellows.
 * Regional community leadership program, Conexión Latina, is designed for five key Hispanic cities.

1992

 * Five Conexión Latina programs are launched to celebrate NHLI’s fifth birthday.
 * A grand total of 120 graduates complete the National Executive Leadership Program.
 * NHLI five-year summit celebration was held in Puerto Rico.

1993

 * NHLI moves headquarters from Denver, Colorado to Washington, D.C.
 * The First Annual Mujer Award Gala celebrates and honors the lifetime achievements of Antonia Pantoja, founder of ASPIRA.

1994

 * The first Latina Congressional Luncheon was held in Capitol Hill honoring Latinas in Congress.
 * NHLI executive leadership program was held in conjunction with the National Women's Political Caucus.
 * NHLI honors the contributions of Dolores Huerta, co-founder of United Farm Workers of America, as the 2nd Mujer Award
 * recipient.
 * Since NHLI’s inception, 164 Latinas completed the National Executive Leadership Executive Program.

1995

 * The first formal evaluation of the leadership program is funded by the Whirlpool grant, Ford Foundation sponsored the Gallup research study of NHLI alumnae and a comprehensive development plan.
 * The third Annual Mujer Award pays tribute to Juana Beatriz Gutiérrez, co-founder of The Mothers of East Los Angeles, at the Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C.
 * NHLINews is published.

1996

 * NHLI spearheads the creation of the National Coalition of Women Leaders in cooperation with the Asian Pacific American Women’s Leadership Institute (APAWLI).
 * NHLI has graduated 207 executive leadership alumnae.
 * Irma Flores Gonzalez, Chair, National Council of La Raza Board of Directors, is the 1996 recipient of the Mujer Award. The Gala is held in Washington, D.C.
 * The first website is developed for NHLI.

1997

 * NHLI celebrates 10 Years of Latina Leadership with a three-day national conference in Washington, D.C.
 * The first Latina & Asian Pacific American Women’s Summit training session held in Washington, D.C.
 * A total of 222 graduates have completed the National Executive Leadership Program.
 * Míriam Colón-Valle, Artistic Director/Founder of The Puerto Rican Traveling Theatre, is the 1997 Mujer Awardee.
 * The ceremony is held at the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.

1998

 * NHLI’s Mujer Award Gala honors Dr. Antonia Coello Novello, the first woman and Latina to hold the esteemed position of U.S. Surgeon General.
 * Marisa Rivera Albert became NHLI President.

1999

 * NHLI launches and unveils its redesigned website — www.nhli.org
 * NHLI Fellows meet U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright during the final executive leadership training week in Washington, DC.
 * NHLI receives four proclamations from different governmental agencies.
 * Mary Lou Tullos Garcia of Harlingen, Texas is presented with NHLI’s Mujer Award during the gala in Walt Disney World, Florida.
 * State Farm Insurance Companiess donate their time and resources to update NHLI’s technological infrastructure.
 * NHLI marks its historic agreement with the Small Business Administration (SBA).
 * The NHLI graduation ceremony is held at the historic Smithsonian Castle in Washington, D.C.

2000

 * NHLI held six regional Recruitment Breakfasts in: Washington, D.C.; Miami, Florida; San Francisco, California; Los Angeles, California; Chicago, Illinois; and Phoenix, Arizona.
 * NHLI and the Asian Pacific American Women’s Leadership Institute joined for a coalition building workshop during the Washington, D.C. week.
 * The Class of 2000 Fellows donated $10,600 to the Insitute.
 * A total of 285 alumnae have been trained in the Executive Program by NHLI.
 * Antonia Hernandez, President and General Counsel of MALDEF, Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund was awarded the National Mujer Award in Walt Disney World/Epcot, Florida.
 * Marylou Olivarez Mason, Executive Director, Michigan Commission on Spanish Speaking Affairs is given the first Regional Mujer Award.
 * NHLI first Alumnae Directory is produced.
 * 14 new funders joined NHLI in developing Latinas as ethical world leaders.

2001

 * In partnership with the Smithsonian Center for Latino Initiatives, NHLI hosts the first Women’s History Month: A Latina Celebration!
 * NHLI launched its first class of Latinas Learning to Lead Summer Youth Institute in Washington, DC.
 * Held 10 recruitment breakfasts across the country.
 * Hosted Mujer Awards Gala in Walt Disney World/Epcot, Orlando, Florida.
 * CyberMadrinas, an electronic mentoring program was launched for Latinas Learning to Lead and NHLI alumnae.
 * NHLI’s fundraising efforts increased by $139,647 from 2000.

2002

 * NHLI’s alumnae continues to grow with a total of 321 graduates.
 * NHLI’s 15th Anniversary Celebration was held in Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida.
 * NHLI honored the work of Cristina Saralegui, journalist, television host and philanthropist as National Mujer Awardee. The Regional Mujer awardee was Sonia Gutierrez, Executive Director, Carlos Rosario Career Center and Public Charter School, Washington, D.C.
 * NHLI alumnae were surveyed by the Center for Women Policy Studies for the programs 14-Year Impact Study.
 * NHLI became a member of the Combined Federal Campaign.

2003

 * The Carter Group produced the NHLI DVD entitled, The Power of Change.
 * Sara Martinez Tucker and Dr. Juliet V. Garcia were honored respectively as the 2003 National and Regional Mujer Awardees.
 * NHLI’s first Latina Empowerment Conference was held in Detroit, Michigan with over 200 attendees.

2004

 * The National Hispana Leadership Institute (NHLI) empowered and trained over 1,700 Latinas in 2004.
 * Two Latina Empowerment Conferences were held in Detroit, Michigan and Santa Fe, New Mexico and 10 Empowerment Breakfasts were hosted across the country.
 * Six Latina “Congresistas” participated in the annual Latina Congressional Breakfast.
 * The 2004 Leadership Training and Mujer Awards Conference hosted 500 participants. and featured Julie Stav, Deborah Rosado Shaw, and Dr. Antonia Novello as keynote speakers, an art exhibit by four Latinas, a book signing session, and four concurrent sessions.
 * Marjorie Agosin and Adelfa Botello Callejo were honored as the 2004 National and Regional Mujer Awardees, respectively.
 * Dr. Sandra Madrid was elected as NHLI Board Chair and seven new board members were selected to the Board.

2005

 * NHLI received notable recognition from the Center for Creative Leadership for Distinguished Alumni, 2005 Leadership Independent Sector, and LatinaStyle Magazine Trailblazer awards and the Cesar Chavez Award from the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute.
 * NHLI hosted six Latina Empowerment Conferences in Omaha, Nebraska; Chicago, Illinois; New York, New York; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Atlanta, Georgia; and Salt Lake City, Utah with a combined attendance of 800 Latinas.
 * The 2005 Leadership Training and Mujer Awards Conference exceeded 500 participants in San Diego, California. NHLI honored Ltc. Consuelo Castillo Kickbusch and Eva Pagan Hill as the National and Regional Mujer Awardees respectively.
 * NHLI kicked off its Vision Forward: Growing Latina Leaders capacity building campaign with a three-year goal of raising $3 million.
 * NHLI moved to a new and larger office in Rosslyn, Virginia.

2006

 * NHLI hosted Latina Empowerment Conferences in Las Vegas, Nevada; Dallas, Texas; Denver, Colorado; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Miami, Florida; Indianapolis, Indiana, and Salt Lake City, Utah
 * NHLI’s Executive Leadership Training and Mujer Awards Conference in San Antonio, Texas trained over 500 people. Eva Longoria was the 2006 Chair Award recipient. Dr. Gloria Rodriguez and Moraima Oyola Pizarro were honored as the 2006 National and Regional Mujer Awardees respectively.
 * NHLI hosted its 9th Annual Latina Congressional Breakfast at The Library of Congress during the final training of the Executive Leadership program week in Washington, DC.
 * A Cinco de Mayo fundraising celebration with celebrity chef, Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (D-CA).
 * NHLI launched the Corporate Advisory Council.
 * A new promotional DVD about NHLI was produced by the Cartel Group – The Power of Change.
 * NHLI Board member, Nora de Hoyos Comstock, and NHLI President, Marisa Rivera-Albert, received the “Women Helping Women” Award from the Hispanic Professional Women’s Association.

2007

 * NHLI’s first all Latina Trialthalon team, Las Hermanas, debut at the Danskin Sprint Triathlon.
 * To date NHLI has trained 165 Latinas Learning to Lead.
 * Latina Empowerment Conference held in Los Angeles, California; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Hartford, Connecticut; Orlando, Florida; Houston, Texas, and trained over 1,000 Latinas.
 * NHLI hosted its Hispanic Heritage Month celebration with celebrity chef, Congresswoman Grace F. Napolitano.
 * 20th Anniversary Celebration held in Denver, Colorado
 * NHLI Alumna Ingrid Duran, D&P Creative Strategies becomes the Chair of the Board of Directors.

2008

 * In 2008, NHLI welcomed a new President, Cristina López, NHLI welcomed a new President, Cristina López, from national social justice nonprofit, Center for Community Change, where she served as Deputy Executive Director.
 * Three new members joined the NHLI Board of Directors: Peter Villegas, First Vice President, National Manager of Community & External Affairs Division at WaMu; Carmen Bauza, Division Merchandise Manager, Vice President from Wal-Mart and Barbara DesMarteau, Director from the Adams County Community & Economic Opportunity Department.
 * After the 2008 presidential election, NHLI launched CELINA (Campaign to Ensure Latina Inclusion in the New Administration) and worked to ensure the new administration recognized Latinas’ leadership, influence and impact.
 * NHLI’s Latina Empowerment Conferences (LEC) had over 600 Latinas participating in the cities of Orlando, Florida, El Paso, Texas; Detroit, Michigan; Jersey City, New Jersey and Seattle, Washington.
 * The Annual Executive Leadership Training and Mujer Awards Conference was held in Orlando, Florida and was the first NHLI conference to be broadcast via the Internet ensuring that invaluable information was available to a wider audience.
 * NHLI published its Impact Study, Transforming Latina Leaders and Communities. The study showed the significant impact NHLI has had on communities across the country through more than 500 alumnae Leadership Projects, directly reaching more than 35,000 Latinas, and touching hundreds of thousands of lives.

2009

 * NHLI introduced its Leadership Webinar Series — facilitated by top leaders and trainers from the corporate, nonprofit and government sectors, the series offers groundbreaking training on leadership and professional development as well as educational and informational topics of interest to the Latino community such as health care, home ownership, financial empowerment and more.
 * NHLI’s 20-year Impact Study was released to the public through NHLI’s website. A comprehensive assessment of NHLI leadership programs over the last twenty years — the study highlighted the significant impact on communities across the country made by the more than 500 alumnae leadership projects, directly reaching more than 35,000 Latinas and touching hundreds of thousands of lives.
 * The Latina Empowerment Conferences were extended from half-day trainings to daylong conferences with workshops on personal branding, coaching yourself to success, smart strategies for empowered Latinas and work and life balance and over 700 Latinas attended LECs held in Atlanta, Georgia, Austin, Texas, Chicago, Illinois, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Washington, DC.
 * The Annual Executive Leadership Training and Mujer Awards Conference was held for the first time in Albuquerque, New Mexico and had the distinction of having the most NHLI alumna attendees. The conference also was the first to have a call for artists for the conference poster artwork. The conference theme, “Our Time in History,” was a reflection of the gains that Latinas are making at all levels of our society —from the Supreme Court to an increase in graduation rates for young Latinas.

2010

 * Advancing Latina Leaders in Nonprofits program (ALL IN)a new program targeting nonprofit Latina leaders, was launched. This program was designed to help Latinas 25-34 years of age develop their leadership and management skills, find their voices as effective community leaders, and build external networks to support their continued professional and personal growth.


 * The Executive Leadership Program (ELP) brought together 20 Latinas from 12 different states to complete a rigorous curriculum over a nine month period in four separate locations: California, Harvard University, Center for Creative Leadership and Washington, D.C. The 2010 fellows raised a record-setting $35,000.


 * For the first time, NHLI trained over 800 participants across the country during its one-day Latina Empowerment Conferences (LECs) in 2010. LECs took place in Fort Worth, TX; New York City, NY; and Denver, CO between March and August 2010.


 * Miami, Florida was the site of the Annual Executive Leadership Conference and Mujer Awards Gala, providing leadership development training led by top-level Latinas from across the country, over 600 were in attendance.

2011

 * The 2011 NHLI Executive Leadership Conference & Mujer Awards offered two days of cutting-edge leadership training facilitated by top-level Latinas from across the country. Latinas Connecting Across Generations, Reaching New Heights was the theme of the conference held November 3-4, 2011.


 * Over 450 Latinas from across the nation joined the National Hispana Leadership Institute (NHLI) in Los Angeles, CA to celebrate NHLI’s 24th annual conference. Conference highlights included the special screening of The Latino List- an HBO documentary featuring Latino leaders nationwide, a thought provoking presentation by Dr. Hayes Bautista about Cinco de Mayo, and a dose of creativity from Gina Rudan’s “Surround Yourself with Genius.”


 * Advancing Latina Leaders in Nonprofit program (ALL IN) was started by the National Hispana Leadership Institute (NHLI) with the generous support of American Express.


 * The Latina Empowerment Conference (LEC) was held in Los Angeles, CA, on March 18 with 200 attendees, and also in Chicago, Illinois, on May 6 with 165 attendees.


 * In collaboration with the American Jewish Committee-Latino, Latin American Institute and David’s Project, the National Hispana Leadership Institute offered 12 Latina college students a unique opportunity to travel to Israel, through NHLI’s Latinas Learning to Lead Program (LLL).

2012

 * Marks NHLI’s 25th anniversary which will be commemorated together with NHLI’s Executive Leadership Training & Mujer Awards Conference scheduled to take place December 10-11, at the Mayflower Renaissance Hotel in Washington, DC. This celebration will honor alumnae for their commitment to NHLI’s mission as well as other Latina women across the nation.
 * The conference will offer two days of cutting-edge leadership and professional development, networking, educational and inspirational keynotes and workshops facilitated by top-level Latinas.