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As someone who has spent her career networking, teaches workshops on intentional networking, and is considered to have a dynamic and rich set of influential contacts, I can tell you there are some things about networking you probably didn’t know.

Networking is relationship building. It is a strategic and intentional part of your professional growth and career success. There are two kinds of networking: in person and online. Both forms of networking are important, and they follow similar rules and protocols. READ MORE AT BUSINESS2COMMUNITY

If the current rate of Latino involvement in the media were to play out as it has, it would take 60 years for Latinos in lead film roles to match their share of the U.S. population. It would take 100 years to do the same in TV. But even at that point, the Latino population would have already doubled.

Put more bluntly, if U.S. Latinos annexed themselves and founded their own country, they would comprise the 14th-largest economy in the world, with $1.6 trillion in buying power.

Latinos make up 17 percent of the population. And they're young, about a decade younger than the average White American. They tune into radio more regularly. They buy movie tickets more often. READ MORE AT NATIONAL JOURNAL

Todos tenemos una historia que vale la pena compartir. Join these Latinos on their road to success as they share their experiences navigating through two worlds and how their background has helped them arrive where they wanted to be.

Gabriela Natale, TV host, producer, and founder of AGANARmedia

“When I graduated with my master’s degree in 2001 in Buenos Aires, there was a deep economic and social crisis in Argentina, and every company in the country was downsizing, so I decided to say good-bye to my loved ones and head to the U.S. Once here, one of my biggest challenges was navigating through the unpredictable immigration system, but as my media career grew, I was able to petition for myself under the EB-1 ‘extraordinary ability’ category and, two years ago, I became an American citizen.

“Since arriving to the U.S., I’ve gone from having nothing to owning a media and marketing company, AGANARmedia (providing services for Fortune 500 companies). My TV show, SuperLatina, started in 2007 in a tiny market in West Texas and is now distributed across the U.S. and Puerto Rico through VmeTV and will soon air in Canada. Our YouTube channels are growing at a pace of 1 million views per month. It truly has been an incredible journey. READ MORE AT BUZZFEED

For families, summer is often jam-packed with vacations, camps, and activities; for businesses, it can be something of a downtime. Once autumn comes, though, most companies are ready to kick into high-gear for the remainder of the year, which means creating new positions and filling vacant ones. In fact, autumn is traditionally the season in which companies do the most hiring. In other words: Autumn is the best season to look for a new job!

So while autumn may still feel like a long way off, remember that summer won’t last forever—and once it’s over, you’ll be in a good place to seek new employment. Maybe you’re growing tired of your current role, or know that your upward mobility is limited. Maybe you just want to see what other opportunities are out there. READ MORE AT BUSINESS2COMMUNITY

If you want to get ahead in this world, you have to network. Networking helps build confidence, connects you with like-minded professionals, and, if all goes well, networking can help improve your business's bottom line. But are you doing the best you can do as a mover and shaker? Take a look at these networking tips for pros under age 40 and then add some of your own in the comments below.

1. Muster up the Confidence to Go it Alone

There's always safety in numbers of course, but one of the big problems with going to a networking event with a friend or coworker is that you'll tend to stick together instead of branching off on your own... READ MORE AT WISEBREAD

Yahoo disclosed last week that African Americans made up just 2 percent of its workers, while Hispanics stood at 4 percent. Those revelations came days after Facebook reported that in 2014 it had employed just 81 blacks among its 5,500 U.S. workers.

Silicon Valley has a diversity problem, a contentious issue that has come into sharper focus in recent months as tech firms have sheepishly released updates on their hiring of minorities. The companies have pledged to do better. Many point to the talent pipeline as one of the main culprits. They’d hire if they could, but not enough black and Hispanic students are pursuing computer science degrees, they say. READ MORE AT THE WASHINGTON POST

Job seekers today are on the move every four years, and for millennials it’s even more often. Whether passively or actively, their eyes and ears are almost constantly open to new opportunities. What was once a yearly event has now become a ritualistic activity. And while the lucky few might be poached or plucked by recruiters, the majority of us rely on networking to get our foot in the door.

It’s a necessary evil—necessary being the operative word. Relationships are worth their weight in gold in our socially powered age, making every interaction a valuable asset toward your next career move. READ MORE AT FORBES

Hispanics in South and Central Florida are the most financially secure in the state, according to a report by FAU released Tuesday.

But it's been a good year for hispanics overall in the Sunshine State, with 65 percent of them feeling more financially secure, indicates the study from Florida Atlantic University's Business and Economics Polling Initiative in the College of Business.

South and Central Florida are the regions with the best economic conditions for Hispanics, with 65 percent and 70 percent of Hispanics in each region, respectively, replying that they were better off than they were a year ago. The northern region is comparatively depressed with just 61 percent saying that they’re better off, according to the findings. READ MORE AT SOUTH FLORIDA BUSINESS JOURNAL

The latest findings from Horowitz Research's FOCUS Latino report reveal that Hispanics are more likely to have made streaming an integral part of their video viewing lifestyle. Half (51%) of Hispanic TV viewers in the study report spending 20% or more of their time watching over-the-top (OTT) content, compared to 43% of total urban TV content viewers. Among Hispanics, OTT viewing is being driven by bilingual and English-oriented Hispanics. More than half of bilingual (54%) and English-oriented (56%) Hispanics report spending more than 20% of their viewing time streaming, compared to 35% of Spanish-dominant Hispanics.

The study, which also looks at technology adoption, shows that OTT capability--being able to stream to a TV, computer, or handheld device--is ubiquitous among bilingual and English-oriented Hispanics (92% and 95%, respectively), but at only 74% among Spanish-dominant Hispanics. The research suggests less access, rather than lack of interest in OTT, is why Spanish-dominant Hispanics are less likely to be OTT users: When the access barrier is removed, Spanish-dominant Hispanics' OTT habits are similar to their bilingual and English-oriented counterparts. READ MORE AT NEWSWIRE

Learn more about the feature guests of the 2015 Latina Trailblazers Networking Soiree being held Thursday, July 23 at Shay Chicago.

Lt. Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti, Lieutenant Governor of Illinois

Lieutenant Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti was sworn in as Illinois’ 47th Lieutenant Governor on January 12, 2015. She is currently the highest ranking Latina in the history of the state of Illinois. She is a working mother of three, an attorney, an adjunct professor of law and a former Wheaton City Councilwoman. Evelyn is committed to fighting for all Illinois residents. She will apply the same passion to her new role that has propelled her throughout her life, from humble beginnings in Hialeah, Fla. to becoming Illinois’ first Latina Lieutenant Governor.

Nicole Suárez, Anchor, Hoy Noticias Mundo Fox 13

Nicole Suárez is a Chicago native of Colombian roots who holds a deep commitment to representing the voices and lived experiences of her fellow Latinos in the United States. Nicole first gained international recognition in the Spanish-language market through her participation in Univision's highly-rated reality program, Nuestra Belleza Latina. During this competition, she won all of the journalism-related challenges and in the process discovered her love for reporting the news.

Upon taking third place in the competition and returning to Chicago, Nicole resumed her studies at DePaul University in the fields of Journalism and Public Relations/Advertising. She also became the face of Univision's daily Despierta Chicago morning segment Although she was part of an Emmy-nominated project at Univision, her primary passion for news led to her current position as anchor for Hoy Noticias Mundo Fox 13, where she hopes to continue to serve and empower Chicago's Latino community.

Susana Meza, V.P. of Marketing, Wintrust Bank

Susana Meza is Vice President of Marketing for Wintrust. She started with Wintrust in 2002 in the role of marketing for several banks under the Wintrust Community Bank umbrella. Before Wintrust she was at Citigate, an ad agency traded under the Incepta name, and she was part of the business development team responsible for responding to RFP’s and attracting new clients. Being born and raised in Chicago has helped her connect with many players in her primary role of Outreach for Wintrust. She serves as the bridge between Wintrust and any nonprofit, chambers of commerce and industry-specific organizations in the Chicagoland footprint and Wisconsin. She interacts daily with a variety of bankers who help meet the mission of being Chicago’s Bank. Susana did a double major at DePaul, in the College of Communication with a focus on Journalism and in the College of Commerce with a focus on Marketing. She currently resides in the Irving Park neighborhood in Chicago with her Husband and her red nose pit-bull.

Trina Fresco, Vice President, U.S. Community Alliances, Events and Engagement, Nielsen

Trina Fresco is the Vice President of U.S. Community Alliances, Events and Engagement for Nielsen. In her role she leads the collaboration with multicultural organizations across the country to increase Nielsen’s brand awareness with diverse consumers and improve the overall probability of multicultural involvement to reach our commitment of ensuring diversity in measurement. Trina also represents Nielsen as a Thought Leader. She also serves as the Women in Nielsen (WIN) Midwest co-chair of the community relations subcommittee. She offers large-enterprise expertise through her tenure as vice president of operations for an IT firm for six years, plus national account manager and paint chemist within the chemical industry for nearly a decade.
Trina is passionate about her community and is an active board member of the Chicago Foundation for Women, and serves on a number of additional boards and committees. Most importantly, Trina is the mother of two angels, Sofia and Giana, and a little king, Lorenzo. Having had three children under three at one point in her life, she and her husband, George, try to keep things calm in the South Loop of Chicago.

Laura Sanchez, CEO, SWATware LLC.

Laura Sanchez is the founder and CEO of SWATware LLC, a full-service Information Technology (IT) firm that delivers comprehensive IT and Web solutions, with a focus in Cyber Security. Laura’s intent when founding SWATware was to create a one-stop IT consulting firm that develops and executes customized solutions for small and medium-sized businesses. Her goal is for SWATware to become an integral partner for each client with the mantra “Big enough to provide all of your solutions and small enough to care for all of your concerns.”
Laura received her Master’s degree in Innovation and Business Development from the Tec de Monterrey, one of the top universities in Mexico. She graduated Summa Cum Laude when receiving her undergraduate degree in International Business and Marketing. In 2013, Laura was awarded the Nueva Latina Estrella Award in the Technology category by Verizon, and was an honorable mention recipient for the 2013 Enterprising Women of the Year Awards by Enterprising Women Magazine that same year. These awards are meant to honor women business owners who have demonstrated high potential-growth and stand out as leaders in their communities.

Arabel Alva Rosales, President and CEO, AAR & Associates / Co-Founder and Producer, LATINO FASHION WEEK CHICAGO

Arabel Alva Rosales is President and CEO of AAR & Assocs., Ltd., a corporation with more than a decade under its belt. We're a full technology firm specializing in developing technology infrastructure, proprietary software installation and management. Arabel is also Co-Founder and Principal of Latino Fashion Week, the only full week and tour dedicated to Latino Fashion in the country. “This endeavor has allowed me to use my business acumen, my wide variety of contacts, and my creative side to its fullest,” says Arabel. Currently, I hold the position as the Chairperson of the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (IHCC) and am a board member of Women's Business Development Center (WBDC).

Arabel Alva Rosales is an entrepreneur that has been described in Chicago Magazine as a “Renaissance Woman” because of her ability to discuss concerns on Wall Street, global issues and what is happening in our communities. She is also recognized for having a critical eye for art and fashion. Arabel has been honored with over 30 national and local awards and has appeared often in the media, including front cover of various Magazines. Some areas where she has been featured include Latina Style Magazine, Dinero Magazine, Hoy Newspaper, the August, 2004 issue of Chicago Magazine “Latina Style”, as well as Chicago Tribune’s “Handling the Summer with Poise”, and the front cover of Today’s Chicago Woman Magazine’s “Woman’s Hall of Fame” edition. She has also appeared on 60 minutes, CNN, and U.S.A. Today.

She holds an undergraduate degree from Mundelein at Loyola University in Liberal Arts with a major in Business Administration. In May of 2001, she obtained her J.D. from DePaul College of Law, where she has been a recipient of the law school's leadership scholarship award and Mayor Daley's Leadership scholarship. Additionally, she is alumni of Leadership Greater Chicago and completed an Executive Program at Tuck Business School at Dartmouth.

Tonantzin Libertad Carmona, Deputy Policy Director and director of the Office of New Americans, Chicago Mayor’s Office / 2015 Crain’s Chicago Business 20 in their 20’s 

Tonantzin Carmona has spent the last year and half in the Emanuel Administration working on a wide range of policy issues –including immigrant integration policies, as well as sustainability, housing, public health, and small business initiatives—and has played a leading role in the City-County Collaboration helping to streamline services, improve residents’ interactions with government, save taxpayer dollars and increase revenue.

Prior to her work at the Mayor’s Office, she worked with Crimson Leadership Group to create opportunities for underserved communities, and immigrant students and families in Illinois high schools to engage with the college admissions process and leadership development. She also worked at the NorthShore University HealthSystem Research Institute in a collaborative study between heath scientists and community partners to investigate disparities in maternal and child health among low-income, ethnic-minority and immigrant families.

In 2015, Tonantzin is recognized as a Chicagoan making her mark in the business world by being featured as one of Crain’s Chicago Business list of 20 in their 20’s : http://www.chicagobusiness.com/section/20s-2015?recipient=Carmona

Tonantzin earned her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Northwestern University, and she was born and raised in the Little Village/La Villita community.

Time is running out to register. Don't miss the signature summer networking event for Chicago's Latino professional community in celebration of Latina Trailblazers at one of River North's most exclusive social destinations... Shay Chicago. 

Mayor Rahm Emanuel today appointed Olga Camargo, a respected financial executive, to The Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority Board – which oversees McCormick Place and Navy Pier. Camargo, who currently serves on the Chicago Plan Commission, replaces Frank M. Clark who is stepping down from the Board to become the new President of the Chicago Board of Education. The Mayor also appointed Juan Linares, the Executive Director of the Latino United Community Housing Association (LUCHA), to replace Camargo on the Plan Commission.

“Both Olga and Juan bring strong backgrounds into their new roles that will serve the people of Chicago well," said Mayor Emanuel. "McCormick Place has been a key component to Chicago’s economic strength and having strong leaders on the Board, like Olga, will ensure it continues it continues to be a job creator for our city. Juan's housing experience, and his commitment to thoughtful community development make him an excellent addition to the Plan Commission."

Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority Board

Camargo is currently Managing Partner at Toroso Investments, LLC, where she advises clients in the public and private sectors, as well as not-for-profit organizations and foundations. Throughout her life, Camargo has been deeply committed to public service. In addition to the Plan Commission, she serves on the Metropolitan Planning Council Board of Governors, and previously served on the City’s Affirmative Action Advisory Board as well as the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership.

The Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority Board consists of nine members: four appointed by the Mayor, four appointed by the Governor and a chair elected by the board members.

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I’ll admit it. I’m an introvert. Networking—especially at happy hours and conferences—is probably the most painful experience I have to regularly subject myself to. Get me into a conversation and I’m fine, but ask me to introduce myself to a stranger or ‘work a room’ and I become an awkward preteen at a junior high dance. Yes, I become a wallflower.

Over the years, I have learned to overcome many of my fears, but more importantly, I have learned to network in a manner that is more conducive to my own personality. Instead of relying on my ability to network “in the moment,” I have found a way to build meaningful relationships by being a bit unconventional. Here are three proven ways for an introvert to network more easily: READ MORE AT FORTUNE

The Hispanic population is growing — and so is its use of foodservice.

Hispanic consumers increasingly are visiting restaurants, with 41 percent now using food service at least twice weekly, up from 36 percent in 2013, according to industry tracker Technomic, Inc., Chicago. Moreover, they are expected to represent nearly 30 percent of the total US population by 2060.

To appeal to this growing demographic, restaurant operators and suppliers should emphasize healthy eating, authenticity, and connection to family, all of which resonate with this consumer group, Technomic said. READ MORE AT MEAT + POULTRY

Latinos are a growing force of influence in America - with good reason. The Latino population is anticipated to double, to approximately 106 million people, by the year 2050. The success of the U.S. economy is very much tied to the success of the Latino workforce. Since small businesses are a critical sector of our economy, ensuring Latinos reach their full entrepreneurial potential is especially important for expanding economic opportunities.

As a Latina business executive, I'm proud to say Latinas are leading this charge by starting their own businesses in record numbers. According to the National Women's Business Council, Latinas own close to 788,000 businesses in the U.S., an impressive 45 percent increase since 2002 and 133 percent increase since 1997. Data shows these businesses generated over $65 billion in revenue in 2012 (the most recent data available), also a huge increase from past decades. READ MORE AT HUFFINGTONPOST

Young women preparing to enter the workforce may discover a job market that's difficult to crack.

Getting a foot in the door in your desired field is not always easy, but young women looking to land that first job out of college can consider the following tips to help them take that all-important first step toward a rewarding career.

Decide on a path. Blindly searching for work or any old job is a recipe for an aimless search that likely won't land you a job you enjoy. Choose what it is that you want to do and who you hope to do it for, and then you can proceed with a more refined search that does not include you spending time pursuing positions you don't want.

Don't be afraid to seek advice. READ MORE AT SURFKY NEWS

With brands executing more and more Hispanic content marketing campaigns, it is imperative to get qualified eyeballs on that branded content. Savvy content marketers employ a variety of digital tactics to promote their content including organic search, paid search, social media, influencer marketing and more recently native advertising. For the sake of this post, native advertising refers to paid distribution of content via native advertising networks such as Outbrain, Taboola, Nativo and Yahoo! Stream Ads.

You should know this by now, but it’s worth repeating: To grow, brands must win with U.S. Hispanics. According to research from our recent white paper, there are 54 million Hispanics in the U.S. who control $1.5 trillion in buying power and the place to reach them is digital. Today, there are 41 million U.S. Hispanics online, and an additional 1 million will come online this year. READ MORE AT MEDIAPOST

Gift of Hope Organ and Tissue Donor Network united the Hispanic community in Chicago by hosting its third annual A Summer Filled with Hope fashion show, in support of higher education for Latino students. The event was held on Saturday, July 11 in order to raise funds in benefit of Scholarships for Hope. The initiative was founded by Gift of Hope in 2013; which is aimed at providing financial support to students seeking a better future. 

Evelyn Amador, Eva by Evelyn Swimwear Founder and Yenia Herrera, Founder of Chicago Latino TV collaborated with Gift of Hope once again this year, to produce the much anticipated fashion show. The event counted with the support and generosity of the business, arts, and restaurant industries in Chicago.

“Year after year we are truly amazed at the number of people and organizations that want to join us on our mission to help secure a better future for our community,” said Raiza Mendoza, Manager of Hispanic Affairs for Gift of Hope. “We are proud to see the impact which Scholarships for Hope continues to have on our youth, and that motivates us to continue with our efforts.”

Over 300 people from the Latino community in Chicago were present at the National Museum of Mexican Art in Pilsen, where funds were raised for more than 30 scholarships. Models from Latin America, as well as from other countries, and Chicago residents donated their time and talent for the exclusive fashion show. The occasion featured 2015 summer swimwear designed by Evelyn Amador, who was inspired by today’s woman. “I felt compelled to represent real-everyday women in the fashion line, not models or the ones we have seen in magazines,” stated Evelyn.

In order to continue with its mission to save and enhance the lives of as many people as possible and be a part of everything good for the Latino Community, Gift of Hope announced their sponsorship of Edna Jackeline Vazquez, Ultramarathon Latina pioneer, in the upcoming marathon in Namibia, Africa. Vazquez has participated in marathons at the international level in Mexico, Belgium, Chile and China. “It is an honor to run representing Gift of Hope at the upcoming ultra marathon at the Namibia Dessert in Africa on May 2016. The importance of helping save lives through organ and tissue donation will be the message that will give me strength to continue and help build a better world,” said Vazquez.

Gift of Hope recognizes the importance of supporting the dreams of our youth who need help in opening doors in order to forge a better future. It is an honor to consistently be able to count on the generosity of the community, Evelyn Amador, Yenia Herrera, Hispanic media and all of those that are able to contribute to the success of making A Summer Filled with Hope fun and memorable. Gift of Hope will continue to partner with all of those ready to help strengthen our communities, save and enhance lives through organ and tissue donation.

About Gift of Hope
Gift of Hope Organ and Tissue Donor Network is a nonprofit organization that coordinates donation of organs and tissues with 180 hospitals in Illinois and northeast Indiana. Since its inception in 1987, Gift of Hope has coordinated donations that have saved the lives of more than 20,000 organ transplant beneficiaries, and bettering the lives of hundreds of thousands of recipients of tissue transplants. For more information: www.giftofhope.org/espanol or call: 877-577-3747.

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It's harder than ever to land a good job. So if you're unemployed and searching for one, you're probably frustrated. While employers cite many reasons why finding the right talent is nearly impossible, you can only control what you are doing (and not doing) to get on an their radar.

Here are a few things you should do differently to get more interviews.

1. Cut the time you spend on job boards. If you're like most job seekers, you rely heavily on job boards and LinkedIn job postings as your primary sources to uncover job opportunities. This reactive approach is unlikely to result in an interview, because most employers rely on referrals to fill jobs with external candidates. And in reality, the majority of jobs are filled with internal candidates, and even if these positions were advertised, you wouldn't stand a chance. READ MORE AT AOL

Everyone has heard about the power of connections and how important they are to your career. The more connections you have the more likely you are to land a great job. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 70 percent of all jobs are found through networking, yet the majority of people tend to spend their time searching in areas that only yield a fraction of return (5-10 percent) on their efforts.

Learning how to build connections and expand your networking activities throughout your career is the most effective way to uncover opportunities, yet networking can be a misunderstood term. READ MORE AT CHRON

Hispanics will account for more than half of the U.S. population growth by 2020 and 85 percent by 2050, comprising a market you no longer can neglect or ignore if you want to sustain growth in your company.

So says the Nielsen report, “The Multicultural Edge: Rising Super Consumers.”

Further, digital plays an important role in engaging with this audience, offering you the chance to reach them effectively and efficiently. It also gives you the opportunity to be geo-targeted on your marketing efforts. READ MORE AT ORLANDO BUSINESS JOURNAL