Committee Leadership
Nury Mena, Fulton Bank
703-330-0246 (Chairwoman)
Rebecca Paris
703-598-6097 (Vice Chair)
Rosalba Llenas
571-278-0416 (President)
Keisy Chavez
571-238-8301 (Secretary)
The Dulles Regional Chamber’s Hispanic Business Council was launched in 2005 as a Committee in an effort to broaden the Chamber’s membership by inviting Latino business owners to bring their talents into the chamber and to help their businesses grow. The response to the new Committee was astounding. Latino business owners and managers, as well as those who worked with the Latino community crowded the Committee’s monthly meetings. As a result of the HBC’s size and success, it was promoted by the Chamber to Council status in 2006.
Committee Mission and Vision
To reach out to Hispanic businesses and connect them with the larger community through chamber programs and activities. Its goals are to:
· Provide programming and presentations for emerging and existing Hispanic-owned businesses;
· Expand our membership to include all forms of legitimate businesses in the Dulles region;
· Create collaborative and interesting learning experiences between and among businesses through effective networking opportunities; and
· Increase our presence in the Dulles Region as a viable council focusing on Hispanic-owned and/or operated businesses and those businesses with an interest in the Hispanic community.
The Council has also forged strategic partnerships with the Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Congressman Wolf’s Hispanic Advisory Committee, and other local organizations, Hispanic committees or councils and chambers, including the Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Mt. Vernon-Lee Chamber’s Hispanic Committee and the Prince William Chamber’s Hispanic committee.
The HBC provides:
· Professional support in the form of learning opportunities at each general meeting. These presentations are determined by the membership through survey responses each year;
· Networking opportunities at general meetings and special events throughout the year;
· Mentoring support from Council members who are experts in their field;
· Recognition of outstanding individuals and organizations. Each year, the HBC selects Latin American youth, citizens in the community, and non-profit organizations for public recognition with an emphasis on services to Hispanic families and children; and Charitable support to selected nonprofits that serve the community with a focus on Hispanic families and youth. Its annual Holiday Party in 2010 provided funds and toys to Reston Interfaith’s Holiday Project.
· Hispanic Business Reception is the largest event hosted by the Council and welcomes hundreds of guests from the entire Washington Metropolitan area. The event attracts not only CEOs. This mixer attracts CEOs, diplomats, elected officials and local government, as well as non-profit partners, who all enjoy the opportunity to meet and develop working partnerships. This signature event features a different theme each year. Attendees have witnessed everything from a U.S. Secretary of the Treasury and SBA Director help administer the oath of citizenship to twenty-six new Americans to a feature on sports heroes of Hispanic American culture. The atmosphere is thoroughly Latino, yet always welcoming to all who wish to attend. Area restaurants serve up Hispanic cuisine and entertainment taps a rich heritage including Mariachi bands, Andean flutes, Argentine tango and Caribbean Carnaval.
Meeting Schedule: First Thursday of the month from 12:00PM AM to 1:00 PM. There are no meetings held in November or December. Meeting Location: Zoom
Meeting Guests: Guests who are not DRCC members may attend up to two general meetings. Membership in DRCC is required for HBC membership.