Empowering Latina Leadership Alliance

The Empowering Latina Leadership Alliance (ELLA) is an initiative part of the Hispanic Chamber and led by a steering committee.  The Empowering Latina Leadership Alliance seeks to:
-Inspire and empower Latinas to broaden the perception of what they can achieve educationally and professionally
-Facilitate opportunities to benefit Latinas who are interested in pursuing networking opportunities and small business development
-Increase knowledge, grow, and strengthen group ties 

To connect and to receive updates, check out our Facebook Group Page.  For more information or sponsorship opportunities contact us at: (563) 214-5160. 

Ana Laura Preciado

Dulce Pollock

Elizabeth Nino

Isamar Sanchez

Juanita Zertuche





Monste Ricossa

Patty Casas





Margarita Mojica

 

To connect and to receive updates, check out our Facebook Group Page.  For more information or sponsorship opportunities, contact: Janessa Calderon, Executive Director, (563) 214-5160. 

Steering Committee Member Spotlight:

Elizabeth Nino

What is ELLA to you?
ELLA is a network of Quad City Latina women who seek to bring the Latina voice to the community. 

 

Why are you involved with the Empowering Latina Leadership Alliance (ELLA)?

I joined this organization to connect with other inspiring Latinas who have an interest to advocate for women and celebrate our Latina roots. 

 

How have you created impact while serving on the ELLA board? 

As one of the founding board members, I have had the privileged to work side by side with the talented steering committee. I have had the opportunity to help with the planning of several events such as the ELLA Summit, which aimed to empower Latinas in the Quad Cities. 

 

What has been your favorite memory of being involved with the Hispanic Chamber/ELLA?

My favorite ELLA celebration is our annual "Day of the Dead" networking event. This event will bring in 50-100 women who have the opportunity to experience Latina culture. It feels great to be part of a community organization that celebrates diversity. 


Ana Laura Preciado


What is ELLA to you?

ELLA is an inspiring group geared towards future generations to pursue their goals and to encourage them to become better leaders at what they like to do. It is also an affirmation for Hispanic Women in the community to prove that Latinas can develop themselves to become successful professionals, entrepreneurs, and human beings.


Why are you involved with the Empowering Latina Leadership Alliance (ELLA)?

I found ELLA, after I recently moved to the QC area because I wanted to learn more about the Hispanic community in this location.  I was eager to contribute and maintain the roots of my culture, in a different country. I wanted to let other women know that anything is possible regardless of where you come from or what your background is. I wanted other women to know that you can always move forward and embrace challenges. 


How have you created an impact while serving on the ELLA board? 

I created an impact while meeting other amazing woman, outside of my student/work environment and having learned so from them, while teaching them things I learned along my own life journey. When I became a part of the One by One program with Margarita, I was able to help young girls believe in themselves to understand that they can pursue a any professional career they choose. I wanted the young girls to know that they have the capacity to build a great future for their generation. I think that with every event we plan, we give opportunities to young ladies and women to get a sense of how powerful we can be, and I’m sure we have touched lots of minds and hearts with the urge to grow and develop personally and professionally.

 

What has been your favorite memory of being involved with the Hispanic Chamber/ELLA?

My favorite part being involved with ELLA is all the stories you hear and the people you get to meet along the way. I enjoy how thankful the attendee’s area t our events because we created a space for them to speak out, learn, and get inspired. I love the fact that we are planting seeds for future generations and raising our voices in the community.

 

 Isamar Sanchez


 
 
What is ELLA to you?
ELLA to me is a group of influential and courageous woman coming together to help strengthen and enhance our community.
 

Why are you involved with the Empowering Latina Leadership Alliance?
I am involved with the Empowering Latina Leadership Alliance for many important reasons but I think the one most important to me is to show the younger Latina generations in our community that they can also grow to be leading women with a voice and that their voice and their opinions matter.
 

How have you created impact while serving on the ELLA board?
I believe we all bring something unique and different to the ELLA board. Our ideas and suggestions at each meeting all bring a different kind of impact and flare to all that we do.
 

What has been your favorite memory of being involved with the Hispanic Chamber/ELLA?
My favorite memory has been meeting and getting to know such great and amazing people. Seeing everyone’s eagerness and happiness in helping our community keeps me motivated and it makes me want to keep striving for more.

 
 Juanita Zertuche
What is ELLA to you? 
It is exactly what we our mission/goals are to Empower Latinas to lead!

Why are you involved with the Empowering Latina Leadership Alliance (ELLA)?
I think it is critical for us to empower each other. Most importantly, we need to share our stories with others and reach as many as we can to continue the path in leaderships. Latina Leadership needs to be celebrated and shared with other women.  It is an opportunity and a duty to reach back and lift up our future generations.

How have you created impact while serving on the ELLA board? 
I would hope that we have hosted events to carry the message of leadership in the community.  We have reached all age groups and demographics with a positive message to lead and support each other in positive way.

What has been your favorite memory of being involved with the Hispanic Chamber/ELLA? 
 My favorite memory is to see the pictures of the events we have hosted.  To see the growth and impact that ELLA has made is amazingly rewarding.  But also a reminder that this alliance needs to continue reaching out and pushing forward our Latina leaders in our local communities.

Patty Casas

 

I am involved with Empowering Latina Leadership Alliance because it allows us to have an impact on the community. It gives us an opportunity to network and connect with young Latinas and be mentors to let them know that w have a value in the community. Networking gives makes us stronger and more knowledgeable. I believe I have created an impact on young Latinas that are wanting to start new businesses in giving them the confidence that they are enough and that they can do it. I have all good memories being in the ELLA committee but one of my favorites would be  the symposium we attended in Denver last year.


 Montse Ricossa

What is ELLA to you?

To me ELLA is a group of strong, beautiful, encouraging women who support me. Whenever I accomplish the next step or have a question, I know the women in ELLA will always step up and be encouraging. 


Why are you involved with the Empowering Latina Leadership Alliance (ELLA)?

I am involved in ELLA because I feel its important to be involved in different communities and groups. I didn't grow up with many Latina women in my neighborhood, so being surrounded by these empowering Latinas is something I always look forward to. I think knowing the community and helping to come up with different workshops with Latinas is a great feeling. 

What has been your favorite memory of being involved with the Hispanic Chamber/ELLA? 

My favorite memory of being involved with the Hispanic Chamber is the gala! I love having a time where everyone gets together and dresses up to recognize their hard work. I was still new the Quad Cities for the first gala I went to, but automatically felt welcomed by the community.
Thank you, Quad Cities and GQCHCC! 
Dulce Pollock 

What is ELLA to you?

Ellas has been a wonderful experience in my life. It has allowed me to meet wonderful women with a common goal that is to support other Hispanic women in the QC area.

 

Why are you involved with ELLA?

Personally, I believe there was a need for a group that would promote and inform Hispanic women in different areas not only personal but professional.

 

How have you created impact while serving on the ELLA board?

As a member of ellas I have been seen the great concern of many women to open their first business, go to college or continue with a master's degree. And I am proud to say that Thanks to a common work with Ellas board and together with the Hispanic Chamber as well as all as the seminars, workshops and all the different event that I volunteer during my time in Ellas, I have been able to help our women.

 

What has been your favorite memory with ELLA?

One of the unforgettable moments as a member of Ellas, was the success of the first event where we announced the objective of Our group. The great participation that we had was powerful and the comments of all the assistants motivated me to continue working to help my community in gratitude for the support that I received went to college through scholarship. I firmly believe that as woman we have to support and build each other to enhance our quality and fighting to improve our weaknesses.