📅 Saturday, August 9, 2025 | 🕘 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM CDT
📍 Drake University – Des Moines, Iowa
The Latina Business Excellence Summit returns in 2025 with a full day of inspiration, networking, and empowerment. Below is the complete schedule of events and sessions.
8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Registration Opens
Sheslow Lobby
8:00 – 9:00 AM
- Cafecito Networking
Levitt Hall
Morning Sessions
9:00 – 9:30 AM | Opening Remarks by Leadership Team
- 9:00 Welcome – Rocio Hermosillo
- 9:05 Introduction – Erika Macias
- 9:10 Introduction – Claudia Schabel
- 9:15 Introduction – Miriam De Dios
- 9:20 Introduction – Christina Fernandez-Morrow
Sheslow Auditorium
9:30 – 10 AM | Discussion
“What is the JEFAS Community?”
Speakers: Erika Macias & Christina Fernandez-Morrow
Audience Q&A moderated by Marcela Hermosillo
Sheslow Auditorium
10:00 – 10:15 AM | Transition to Workshops
Guided by Christine Torres, MC, and Drake University students
Breakout Sessions (10:15 – 11:15 AM)
Session 1 – Resources for New Business
Panelists:
Victor Oyervides (SBDC),
Mercedes Morton (Evelyn K. Davis Center),
Juan Pablo Sanchez (DSM Partnership)
Moderator: Chase Spencer – Drake Business Accelerator Program
Cartwright Hall, Room 213
Session 2 – Healthy Body, Healthy Mind, Healthy Wallet
Speakers:
Lily Duenas (Yoga Trainer),
Jessica Ramos (Mental Health Counselor),
Dr. Lidia Gomez (Mi Casa Wellness),
Marcia Treichel (Chase VP, Community Manager)
Moderator: Miriam De Dios Woodward (De Dios Consulting)
Cartwright Hall, Room 206
Session 3 – Powering Your Business Growth with Smart Branding & Digital Marketing
Workshop by Carolina Villarreal – Founder & CEO, VozGrowth.com, Verizon Digital Ready Partner
Cartwright Hall, Room 201
Session 4 – Goldman Sachs 10KSB Program (Limited seating, by invitation only)
Panelists:
Blanca Plascencia (El Fogon),
Claudia Schabel (Schabel Solutions Inc.),
Alejandra Valdez (Viva Fit Kitchen)
Moderator: Jacki Boldt
Cartwright Hall, Room 203
Midday Program
11:15 AM – 12:20 PM | Networking Lunch
Kern Commons
12:20 – 12:30 PM | Transition
Presenter: Alyssa Gomez (KCCI 8 Anchor/Reporter)
Sheslow Auditorium
12:30 – 1:15 PM | Panel Session #2 – Overcoming Challenges
Speakers:
Graciela Van Wyk (Financial Advisor Edward Jones),
Noemi Mendez (Author & Educator),
Mayra De Catalan, (Entrepreneur)
Claudia Schabel, (CEO, Schabel Solutions)
Moderator: Samantha Mesa (WHO 13 Anchor)
Sheslow Auditorium
Closing Program
1:15 – 1:45 PM | Closing Remarks
- Recap & Next Steps
- Presentation of Madrinas Sponsors
Speakers: Samantha Mesa with Erika, Christina, Claudia, and Miriam
Sheslow Auditorium
1:45 – 2:00 PM | Unveiling of JEFAS Magazine “Summer Edition”
- With Erika, Christina, Claudia, and Miriam
- Final Announcements, Survey, Raffle
Sheslow Auditorium
2:00 – 2:15 PM | Transition to Reception
- Photo opportunities & networking
Sheslow Auditorium / Levitt Hall
2:15 – 4:00 PM | Closing Reception
- Light appetizers by Sodexo
- Two cash bars
- Networking with vendors & community leaders
Kern Commons - 360 Photo Booth
Kern Commons at Cartwright Hall
✨ The 2025 Latina Business Excellence Summit will be a day dedicated to celebrating Latina entrepreneurship, leadership, and resilience. Don’t miss this powerful opportunity to connect, learn, and grow with an inspiring community of changemakers.
