Pictured from left to right: Diego Zambrano, PMI; Nora Venegas, Tyson Foods; Karis T. Gutter, Corteva Agriscience; Cesar Prieto, Rep. Tony Gonzales (TX); Debbie Marshall, Chevron; Rep. Tony Gonzales (TX), CHLI Board Member; Leonardo Mendoza-Bernuy, Congressional Hispanic Staff Association (CHSA); Patrick Herrera, GOP Latino Staff Association (GOPLSA); Larry Camm, Johnson & Johnson; Emily Benavides, Rep. Bob Latta (OH); and Leo Valesquez, Indeed.com
The Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute (CHLI) held its annual Future Leaders Conference in Washington D.C. on June 5, 2025, for speakers to share their success stories to inspire and encourage the audience as they embark on their career. Thank you to everyone who joined to gain insight from influential leaders.
The conference aimed to inform, educate and provide young adults with tips for success, who are interested in working for Congressional offices, non-profits, and the private sector.
The program began with welcoming remarks by CHLI President & CEO, Mary Ann Gomez Orta, followed by Valerio Martinelli, Chief Skills Officer at Katch Skills, who shared the platform’s mission of helping users translate everyday learning into measurable, career-building skills.
Pictured from left to right: Sophy James, CHLI Alumni Board Vice-President; Debbie Marshall, Chevron; Leonardo Mendoza-Bernuy, Congressional Hispanic Staff Association (CHSA); Patrick Herrara, GOP Latino Staff Association (GOPLSA); and Leo Valesquez, Indeed.com
During the Internship Do’s and Don’ts panel, moderator Sophy James, Executive Assistant to the CEO of Concordia and Vice President of the CHLI Alumni Association, led an engaging conversation that offered practical and professional guidance for young professionals. Panelists included Leonardo Mendoza-Bernuy, President of the Congressional Hispanic Staff Association (CHSA); Debbie Marshall, Manager of Federal and National Affairs at Chevron; Patrick Herrera, President of the GOP Latino Staff Association (GOPLSA); and Leo Valesquez, Senior Inclusive Specialist at Indeed.com.
“You can contribute so much…bringing your diversity of background but also your diversity of thought.” – Leonardo Mendoza-Bernuy
“You have the chance to change your corner of the world and make it the way you want it.” – Debbie Marshall
“Your network is your net worth” – Patrick Herrera
“Set goals that are S.M.A.R.T, that means Specific, Measurable, Achievable, and Results are Time-Bound” – Leo Valezquez
Pictured: Rep.Tony Gonzales (TX)
The event continued with inspiring remarks from Rep.Tony Gonzales (TX), who emphasized the importance of networking and perseverance. CHLI President and CEO Mary Ann Gomez Orta followed with a presentation outlining the 10 Tips for a successful internship experience.
Pictured from left to right: Cesar Prieto, Rep. Tony Gonzales (TX); Mary Ann Gomez Orta, CHLI President and CEO; Karis T. Gutter, Corteva Agriscience; Emily Benavides, Rep. Bob Latta (OH); Larry Camm, Johnson & Johnson; and Lucinda Borque, CHLI Alumni Board President
The conference continued with the Career Pathways panel, moderated by Lucinda Borque, Chief of Staff at Worldwide Legal Services and President of the CHLI Alumni Association. Panelists shared advice on how to establish oneself as a professional and successfully navigate career opportunities in Washington D.C. The panel included Cesar Prieto, Chief of Staff to Rep. Tony Gonzalez (TX); Karis T. Gutter, Vice President of Government & Industry Affairs, North America at Corteva Agriscience; Emily Benavides, Chief of staff to Rep. Bob Latta (OH); and Larry Camm, Director of Health Equity and Federal Enterprise Initiatives at Johnson & Johnson.
“Your ego should not be your shadow” – Cesar Prieto
“It’s not just what you know and who you know, but who knows you.” – Karis T. Gutter
“You really just need the drive and motivation to succeed” – Emily Benavides
“With your social media, use it in a way that is wise, puts your best foot forward…sometimes you just need to pause and think about it.” – Larry Camm
CHLI Alumni Board President, Lucinda Borque, then accepted the Wendy Martinez CHLI Alumni Community Engagement Award on behalf of Keith Fernandez, former CHLI Alumni Board President. This award recognizes emerging leaders who demonstrate exceptional commitment to achieving their professional and personal goals.
Click here to watch Keith’s full acceptance speech.
Pictured: Rep. Juan Ciscomani (AZ)
The program concluded with words of encouragement from Rep. Juan Ciscomani (AZ) who emphasized the power of bipartisanship and finding common ground.
Following the formal program, attendees participated in a networking lunch and meet-and-greet featuring informational tables from the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), CHSA, GOPLSA, and the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service.
Special thank you to our sponsors: Amazon and Chevron.
To view the CHLI Future Leaders Conference livestream, click here.
To view pictures of the event, click here.
ABOUT CHLI:
The Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute (CHLI) is the premier organization founded by former Members of Congress to advance economic prosperity with a focus on social responsibility and global competitiveness. CHLI is dedicated to advancing the Hispanic community’s diversity of thought and fostering a broad awareness of the heritage, interests, and views of Americans of Hispanic and Portuguese descent.