Tomorrow, Latina professionals, entrepreneurs, business leaders and allies will come together in Chicago for the 5th Annual Uplift Latina Forum, an evening built around connection, opportunity and conversations that can move careers, businesses and financial futures forward.
Held on the eve of Latina Equal Pay Day, Uplift Latina brings together accomplished women from across business, finance, entrepreneurship, media and corporate leadership to share their experiences, perspectives and practical insights. This year’s featured guests represent women who are building businesses, leading teams, helping others create wealth, opening doors to opportunity and using their influence to strengthen the communities around them.
From conversations about leadership visibility and career advancement to financial literacy, homeownership, entrepreneurship and long-term prosperity, these are the women who will help lead the conversation at the 2026 Uplift Latina Forum.
MODERATORS
Lisa Chavarria - News Reporter, NBC Chicago
Lisa Chavarria is an award-winning television journalist and reporter at NBC Chicago, where she covers breaking news and feature stories across the Chicago metropolitan area. Known for her engaging storytelling and strong on-air presence, she reports live from the field and develops sources to deliver timely, impactful coverage for viewers throughout the region.
Lisa has built a distinguished career in broadcast journalism spanning multiple major media markets. Prior to joining NBC Chicago in 2017, she served as a reporter and anchor at WFLD‑TV. Earlier in her career, she worked as a reporter at KHOU‑TV and as a reporter and anchor at WTVF NewsChannel 5 and WPBN‑WTOM TV, gaining experience reporting on a wide range of local and national stories.
Conversationally bilingual in Spanish, Lisa is passionate about telling stories that inform and connect diverse communities. She earned her bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from Columbia College Chicago.
Hannah Fernandez, Founder, Money Moves Playbook
Hannah Fernandez is a business funding strategist, financial coach, and small business advocate dedicated to helping entrepreneurs access capital and grow sustainable businesses. She serves as the Illinois District Director for SCORE Mentors, where she leads initiatives that provide mentorship, education, and resources to entrepreneurs across the state.
Hannah is also the Founder and Managing Partner of ROI Business Funding, a firm that helps business owners secure customized funding solutions ranging from $50,000 to $5 million. Her work focuses on bridging the “missing middle” financing gap for businesses that may not qualify for traditional bank loans but require growth capital.
In addition, she serves as a Financial Coach with Metropolitan Family Services, providing one-on-one coaching and financial education to help individuals and families achieve economic stability and long-term financial wellness.
A frequent speaker, writer, and panelist, Hannah is passionate about expanding access to capital and empowering women, minorities, and underserved entrepreneurs. She studied at the University of Chicago and is widely recognized for her leadership in advancing small business growth and economic opportunity.
Discussion Panelists
Pattie Amaro, Director - Talent Acquisition, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association
Pattie Amaro is Director of Talent Acquisition at Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, where she leads talent strategies and initiatives designed to meet the organization’s evolving workforce needs. A strategic talent leader with a strong technical foundation, she brings extensive experience across recruiting, workforce strategy, employee engagement and organizational development.
A first-generation Latina, Pattie is passionate about mentorship, career advancement and creating pathways for emerging leaders. She currently serves as a mentor with HACE’s University Leadership Program and Chicago Innovation’s The Ladder, helping professionals build confidence, expand their networks and reach the next level of their careers. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and is pursuing a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from DePaul University.
Clarissa Flores, Founder & CEO, Level Sporting Club
Clarissa Flores is a hospitality and entertainment executive with nearly two decades of experience leading high-volume, multi-unit operations across some of the industry's most recognized brands. She serves as Director of Operations for Tao Group Hospitality, overseeing business strategy, revenue growth, and guest experience across multiple venues. Clarissa is also the Founder and CEO of Level Sporting Club, a groundbreaking concept dedicated to elevating women's sports through community, culture, and premium hospitality experiences. A former Northwestern University basketball standout and Puerto Rican National Team athlete, she is known for her leadership, entrepreneurial vision, and ability to create impactful brands that drive both cultural relevance and business success.
Alexandra Nelson, Vice President of Mortgage Lending, Rate
Alexandra Nelson is Vice President of Mortgage Lending at Rate and a seasoned mortgage professional with more than 30 years of experience helping individuals and families navigate the path to homeownership. Originally from the Dominican Republic, she began her career in financial services in 1994 and has developed deep expertise in first-time homebuyer programs, FHA loans, down payment assistance and emerging markets.
Fluent in English and Spanish, Alexandra is passionate about making homeownership and the lending process more accessible and understandable for diverse communities. Her work is rooted in financial education, building trust and helping clients make informed decisions that can contribute to long-term financial stability and wealth building.
Lynette Correa-Velez, Founder & CEO, Pagame AI
Lynette Correa-Velez, M.Ed., is the Founder and CEO of Pagame AI, an AI-powered worker pay intelligence platform designed to help professionals better understand their market value and advocate for equitable compensation. An award-winning career coach and workforce development leader, Lynette brings more than 20 years of experience in career development, leadership, education and human capital empowerment and has helped more than 30,000 individuals advance professionally.
A bilingual and bicultural Latina entrepreneur, Lynette is a 2026 BMO Economic Mobility Fellow and has participated in entrepreneurship and technology programs through organizations including 1871, Chicago Innovation and the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center. She holds a Master of Education from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and is passionate about using technology, career education and entrepreneurship to expand economic opportunity and help women recognize and advocate for their value.
Lilia Arroyo Flores, Founder & CEO, Digame LLC
Lilia Arroyo Flores is the Founder and CEO of Dígame, LLC, a brand and audience strategy consultancy helping organizations build authentic connections with the communities they serve. With more than 25 years of experience in brand strategy, consumer insights, marketing and communications, she has held senior leadership roles at Havas, Edelman and Leo Burnett and has advised Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits and emerging businesses.
Lilia is also an Adjunct Professor of Brand Strategy and Consumer Behavior at Columbia College Chicago and co-host of The Chingona Chair Podcast. A passionate advocate for Latina leadership and entrepreneurship, she uses cultural intelligence, audience insights and lived experience to help organizations recognize new opportunities for growth while encouraging the next generation of leaders to own their value, amplify their voices and create opportunities for others.
Julisa Sanchez, Business Banking Center Manager, PNC Bank
Julisa Sanchez is an experienced banking and financial services leader with more than 20 years of experience spanning business banking, consumer lending, mortgage lending, sales leadership and community engagement. Throughout her career, she has led high-performing teams, developed new business and built relationships that connect individuals, entrepreneurs and communities with financial resources and opportunities.
A passionate advocate for financial literacy, Julisa brings a strong commitment to helping people better understand their financial options and make informed decisions. Her leadership experience includes senior roles in banking and mortgage lending, where she has focused on business development, team mentorship, community partnerships and expanding access to financial education.
Carolina Guerrero, Financial Advisor, J.P. Morgan Wealth Management
Carolina Guerrero is a Private Client Advisor with J.P. Morgan Wealth Management, where she helps individuals and families develop personalized strategies to pursue their financial goals, manage investments, prepare for major life changes and plan for retirement. She brings several years of experience across banking, investments and client relationship management.
Passionate about financial literacy, Carolina believes greater financial knowledge can help individuals and families make more confident decisions and build stronger financial futures. Throughout her career, she has focused on building trusted relationships, understanding each client’s unique needs and connecting them with resources and strategies to support their long-term goals. Carolina holds a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Purdue University.
The strength of Uplift Latina has always been about bringing accomplished leaders together with professionals, entrepreneurs and allies who are ready to connect, exchange ideas and invest in what comes next.
Join us tomorrow, Wednesday, October 7, from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. at woman-owned Level Sporting Club in Chicago for meaningful networking, cocktails and two timely conversations on Latina leadership and building long-term financial prosperity.
Come meet the women featured above, expand your network and be part of an evening dedicated to turning connections, knowledge and influence into greater opportunity. All allies are welcome.
Be in the room. Build your network. Invest in what comes next.
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