URBANDER

As I write my book, “Becoming La Jefa”, I’ve had the chance to sit with my lived experiences and reflect on how much my father shaped me: the way I moved in corporate America, how I navigate entrepreneurship, and how I show up for my community. Papi influenced every corner of my world. Sam Haiman was more than a supporter—he was a force. The one babysitting when my kids were little so I could focus on getting new clients. The one guiding me on RFPs and business decisions. The one attending networking events by my side and “reading the room” like only a South Bronx native with grit, street smarts, and unparalleled charm could. I not only admired him—I relied on him. And though he’s not here physically, I’ve found peace in “listening” to him when I need clarity or strength. When I’m about to lead a webinar, speak at an event, or dive into community work, I whisper: “Vamos, Papi… let’s go.” He’s my guardian angel now. Here’s a poem I wrote a year after he passed away. Today, I share it again—because unconditional love like his never fades: Damn, I’m so freakin’ lucky. My Papi was something else. Yes, that handsome son of a gun in the picture on the shelf. Magnificent. Yes, magnificent! In every sense of the word. So much knowledge to share. Many monologues I heard. Politics, religion, literature. Social justice, music, sports. Arts and culture, history. Conversations of all sorts. Papi loved people – no matter color or creed. A citizen of the world. Looking out for those in need. He was the ultimate advocate Unhinged, prepared, effective. Called upon for insight and action. The outcomes always impressive. Thoughtful, kind, generous – He’d bring me gifts ‘just because’. Bracelets, earrings, necklaces. All remind me of what I’ve lost. My dance partner at weddings, My cheerleader and sounding board. I’m so lucky to have had you, Papi. I will love you for evermore. Sharing a few special photos of us—from baby steps to dance floors. Gracias, Papi. For everything. I promise I’ll keep on dancing until we meet again. #URBANDER #Mindset #CelebratingPapi

In my latest journey to Panamá, I set out to do more than attend another trade show. I wanted to redefine what international business growth can look like—when we center collaboration, connection, and community. The stage: EXPOCOMER PANAMÁ 2025. That’s what my new series "Global Access Panamá" is all about. This isn’t theory—it’s a blueprint. I have to thank my friend and co-producer Griselle Colon - Wright who has been pushing me past my comfort zone since last year. With her support, I was able to begin exploring everything Panamá has to offer. In that process, we've uncovered the roadmap for small to medium-sized businesses in the U.S. to scale globally with ease of access, guidance, and the support of la familia—our people, our culture, our connections. This series is your behind-the-scenes guide to the partnerships, trade zones, infrastructure, and innovators that are opening Latin America’s markets to the world—all anchored in Panamá. It’s not just business as usual—it’s #RadicalCollaboration in action. What’s the goal? To present and build opportunities beyond borders. And this can only be done with the insight and participation of extraordinary subject matter experts in Panamá who are moving the cogs of international trade and innovation. Mi más sincero agradecimiento y un fuerte abrazo to all who contributed to the launch of this series in one way or another. Stay tuned for "Global Access Panamá" — premiering soon on a dedicated YouTube Channel near you! Kirk L. Barnes, Josimar Ortiz, Karin Sempf, Rolando A. Gittens, Jorge Barnett Lawton, Ramon A. Poveda J., Faustino Huembes, Giovanna Bernal, TEP, Liz Marie Corbett, Katia Serracin de Roner, Dwaine Alers #URBANDER #Mindset #GlobalAccessPanama #RadicalCollaboration #LatinoBusiness #GoGlobal #ExpoComer2025 #GlobalTrade #ScaleSmart #LatAmExpansion #SMBBlueprint #NotMessingAroundHere

With recent shifts in leadership and policy, it’s becoming clearer by the day: if you’re a minority-owned business relying solely on U.S. procurement, it may be time to zoom out. In the past month or so, I have been having very real conversations in roundtables, Zoom calls, and coffee shops among Latina and Black entrepreneurs who like me were looking for opportunity in spaces where the doors are now being shut… or where they were never fully opened to begin with. My answer? We go global. If the contracts and capital aren’t flowing domestically, we look beyond borders—to Latin America, Europe, the Caribbean, and emerging markets where our talent, vision, and multilingual superpowers are welcomed assets, not afterthoughts. This strategic realignment requires skill and experience. Personally, the type of skills I’ve been able to developed throughout my career in corporate, then as a business owner and community advocate are because of all the challenging experiences I’ve been through. As a problem-solver, the "Top 5" I’ve mastered are to LISTEN, to STRATEGIZE, to COLLABORATE, to CREATE and to be NIMBLE. Let’s build new maps, forge new partnerships, and pursue work that honors our brilliance—wherever it takes us. And sometimes, going “outside” is exactly how we grow stronger inside. PLEASE DON'T GET IT TWISTED: It’s not about leaving. It’s about expanding. "Snapshot" is a comic strip series illustrated by my daughter Catalina Mía (age 15) for URBANDER. This comic series captures relatable moments in the life of a Latina entrepreneur, highlighting challenges and triumphs with a touch of humor and wit. #URBANDER #Mindset #SnapshotSeries #BorderlessStrategy #LatinaEntrepreneur #GlobalBusiness #PivotWithPurpose #LatinasInBusiness #BuildBeyondBorders #ExpandYourImpact #Listen #BeNimble #RadicalCollaboration #SnapshotComicSeries #CatalinaMia #LatinaEntrepreneur #entrepreneuriallifestyle #keepingitreal #latina #storytelling #illustrator #artist #creativity #comic #comicart #GlobalOpportunities #LatinoProfessionals #TimetoExpand

No time for April Fools Day! A gentle reminder that celebrating women’s achievements only during Women's History Month means nothing if they’re still underpaid, overworked, and underestimated the rest of the year. Want to honor women? Invest in them, fund them, and pay them what they’re worth. #URBANDER #Mindset #WomensHistoryMonth #PayWomenWhatTheyDeserve"

A few business colleagues have asked me recently if my daughter, Catalina Mía, had any new Snapshot comics coming up. The answer is a resounding YES—she just needed a little break. Cata has been laser-focused on finishing her first year of high school strong, and it’s paying off. Two weeks ago, I shared a charcoal drawing she created of Billie Eilish. What I didn’t share then is that her teacher entered it into the legendary Winter Park Arts Festival in Central Florida attended by over 350,000 people last weekend. Cata’s work titled “Billie” was honored with an Award of Excellence, one of just 10 students recognized across Orange County Public Schools. So, while she enjoys collaborating with me on Snapshot—a passion project we’ve loved building together for URBANDER—we’ve agreed it should never distract from her personal goals. Her education and artistic journey take priority. Watching Cata pour herself into her work reminded me of how I’ve also been intentional these past few weeks—tuning out the noise and refusing to be derailed by uncertainty or fear. I’ve been on fifth gear, focused on doing the work: volunteering, mentoring, engaging in roundtables and panels, and helping fellow business owners and community leaders stay aligned with their goals. Like artwork, heart-work takes time. It requires vision, layers, trial and error, and a deep commitment to seeing something through. Just like transforming a blank canvas, shifting mindsets—especially the ones that hurt or exclude—doesn’t happen overnight. However, brush stroke by brush stroke, it CAN happen. And while we’re all chasing metrics and deliverables in our work, let’s remember some of the most meaningful KPIs—Kindness, Purpose, Intention. Those are the indicators of real impact. That’s the data I care about. I’m reminded through art that beautiful things take time. And so does meaningful change. These photos show the process behind Catalina’s latest work—because growth deserves to be witnessed in progress, not just in final form. Call to Action: ·      Don’t be distracted. ·      Keep pushing forward. ·      Your contribution makes a difference. #SnapshotSeries #HeartWorkIsArtWork #WorkInProgress #LatinaMoms #YouthArtists #AwardOfExcellence #KPIsThatMatter #HopeInAction #ArtAsResistance #YourWorkMatters #CatalinaMía

I had just arrived to Panama yesterday and went straight to the convention center with my dear friend Griselle Colon - Wright and our talented videographer, Faustino Huembes to pick up our press passes. With over 30 countries represented here at ExpoComer, this is an incredible opportunity to explore and uncover what all the buzz about Panama is really about. On the flight over, I read The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success by Deepak Chopra MD (official), and the concept of pure potentiality really resonated with me. This trip is a reflection of that—embracing the unknown, yet intentionally capturing every meaningful moment with Faustino’s help to give you a behind-the-scenes look at what’s unfolding here. We’re taking it all in, one moment at a time, and can’t wait to share what we discover! #URBANDER #Mindset

This morning, while flipping pancakes for two families after an unforgettable weekend with my dear friend Camille Cruzado, I found myself smiling about a moment we shared before she even got here. She had called from North Carolina asking what she could bring—she didn’t want to show up empty-handed. Without skipping a beat, I told her: “Bring eggs.” Because let’s be real… in this economy? Having huevos is gold. Her original plan: Wine. So she brought both because she’s a good egg. But that tiny exchange stuck with me. It got me thinking about how much we’re all navigating this delicate dance between wants and needs in our jobs, for our businesses, and our kids' futures. I personally know all too well what it’s like to be so broke you’re eating arroz con corned beef multiple days a week or turning plátanos into tostones, maduros, and let’s not forget pastelón—not because you’re feeling creative, but because that’s all you’ve got. In those moments, “needs” are crystal clear: food, rent, gas (and maybe figuring out how to stretch one quart of milk over a week). But as life evolves, so does or ability to discern. As it turns out, the wine Camille brought wasn’t just a want. After deep convos yesterday about work, motherhood, the state of the world, and trying to hold it all together—it became clear: that vino was a need. It offered a moment of pause. A soft landing for both of us after carrying such heavy loads. And just like that it hit me that prioritizing what truly matters isn’t always obvious—whether in your business endeavors or in your personal choices. Sometimes, what feels like a little indulgence is actually what’s holding us together and pushing us forward. So on this beautful Sunday, I want to acknowledge human-beings like Camille who bring the eggs and the wine to where they are most needed. I celebrate all who know the difference between surviving, living with dignity, living with privilege, and the importance of sharing resources. ¡Salud! #URBANDER #Mindset #WantsVsNeeds #LivedExperience #LatinaLeadership #RealTalk #GratefulHeart #Resilience #LifeLessons #Sisterhood

This is me right before going live with a virtual workshop on Critical Thinking & Problem Solving with students from Colombia and Argentina — and WOW, what a fulfilling experience! I've always believed that one of the best ways to showcase your multidisciplinary expertise is by mentoring. Helping people sharpen the skills they’ll need—whether they’re heading into the corporate world, the public sector, nonprofits, or launching their own ventures—is how we build stronger, more adaptable professionals. Thinking critically and solving problems creatively isn't just a "nice to have"—it's a must in today’s world...especially now. These are the tools that fuel innovation, leadership, and real-world impact. Huge thanks to John Moreno-Escobar for putting the call out to The Tribe (yes, our massive WhatsApp group!) to see who was available. I’m just glad I was. #MentorshipMatters #GiveBack #DesignThinking #CriticalThinking #ProblemSolving #LeadershipDevelopment #LatinoLeadership #WorkforceReady #GlobalMentoring #CreatingNewBoxes #VirtualWorkshop #URBANDER #Mindset

This one is going to be 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 Huge thanks to Rob West for inviting me to join this much-needed conversation: "Unshakable: How to Build a Business That Thrives in Any Economy" happening March 28th in Tampa. I’ll be sharing the real, unfiltered strategies I’ve used to not just survive tough times, but actually grow when everything around me seemed to be falling apart. It’s taken years of navigating chaos, adapting to shifts in the market (and life), and staying true to my mission—while also knowing when to pivot, when to push, and when to walk away. Can’t wait to join this convo with Tarneisha Peters and Rolanda McDuffie, so we can drop some gems, and hopefully leave fellow entrepreneurs feeling fired up to own their power in any business climate. Where: Entrepreneur Collaborative Center, Tampa, FL When: March 28, 2025 | 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM It's a FREE yet PRICELESS event. Come through!  Register here: https://lnkd.in/dZq7rKHm Moderated by: The always insightful Leighton Kyler See you there! #EntrepreneurLife #BusinessResilience #ThriveNotSurvive #LatinaBoss #TampaBay #SmallBusiness #Unshakable #URBANDER #Mindset #RadicalCollaboration

This is for you—if you recently got laid off. Losing a job can feel overwhelming, but it can also be the beginning of something incredible, despite everything that’s going on. I know this firsthand. You are not alone. In 2008, during the Recession, I was laid off—and instead of waiting for another opportunity, I created my own. I launched my business, and at first it was very emotionally and financially daunting.  That was 17 years ago! So, here’s what I’d do differently if I could go back, and what I wish I had done from day one. I didn’t do these things because I simply didn’t know I should: Número Uno | Get Comprehensive Accounting Support – Find someone who understands tax planning and business structures to help maximize your income and avoid costly mistakes. Número Dos | Retain a Fiduciary Financial Advisor – Get guidance on investing and wealth-building so you can plan for long-term financial freedom and become "work optional" as soon as possible. I started late, but it's never too late to take control of your future. And this Women’s History Month, I want to take a moment to thank two badass women who are helping me make better and confident decisions about my DINERO (personal and business): Michelle Gordon, AIF® and Rosie Haro. Because of your expert counsel, I now know that financial independence at my age isn’t just a dream—it’s a plan. If you’re facing a career transition, remember: this might be the start of something much more rewarding than you ever imagined. #URBANDER #Mindset  #WomensHistoryMonth #Entrepreneurship #FinancialFreedom #WorkOptional