The Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute (CHLI) hosted its annual Future Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C., on June 11, 2026, bringing together students, interns, and young professionals for a half-day conference focused on leadership development, professional skills, and career pathways in public service, nonprofit work, and the private sector.
The program opened with a welcome from CHLI Director of Programs and Internships Nicole Marin, then remarks by CHLI President & CEO Mary Ann Gomez Orta, followed by CHLI Chairwoman, the Honorable Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. She highlighted the importance of civic engagement and leadership development. She spoke about the value of creating opportunities for students and young professionals to gain meaningful experience in Washington and beyond.
“Leadership rarely begins with a title – it begins with a decision: to get involved, to take on new challenges, and to step outside your comfort zone. Some of the most effective leaders are not those who always have the loudest voice, but those who are willing to listen, learn, and bring people together to solve problems.” — The Honorable Ileana Ros-Lehtinen.
The program continued with a spotlight on CHLI partner Katch Skills — an AI-powered platform that helps users track and showcase both formal and informal skills to build a more complete picture of their strengths. Founder and CEO Laura Maristany introduced Future Leaders to the platform and demonstrated how to navigate it and actively log their experiences.
“If you are on the platform, we can connect you to support to help you build your resume…. Thanks to our partnership with CHLI, we’re also able to provide additional resources to you.” — Laura Maristany
The first panel of the day, “Navigating Washington: Essential Protocols, Tips, and Etiquette for a Successful Internship,” offered practical guidance for interns and young professionals entering Washington, D.C., moderated by CHLI Advisory Council Member Emily Benavides, Vice President of Government Affairs at UnitedHealth Group.
The panel featured CHLI Board Member Maria Luisa Boyce, Vice President of Global Public Affairs at UPS; CHLI Board Member Debbie Marshall, Vice President of Government Relations at Chevron; CHLI Advisory Council Member Diego Zambrano, Manager of Federal Government Affairs at PMI U.S.; CHLI Advisory Council Member Francisco Carrillo, Senior Director of Federal Government Relations at Pfizer.
Panelists shared insights on professional development and navigating early career experiences in Washington:
“Success often depends on more than what’s written in the job description.” — Emily Benavides
“You have three pockets that you are going to be working through the rest of your life: your brand, your skill sets, and your subject matter expertise.” — Maria Luisa Boyce
“Kindness is absolutely free for you to give, and respect is free for you to give. People will remember how you made them feel.” — Debbie Marshall
“There is no direct, clear future. It’s the story you end up building for yourself.” — Diego Zambrano
“Take advantage of the resources that you have… it’s not just what you know, it’s who you know.” — Francisco Carrillo
The second panel, “Career Pathways: D.C. Beyond the Political Science Track,” highlighted the range of career opportunities available in Washington, D.C.
The conversation was moderated by VP of Communications at CHLI Alumni Association (CAA) Paola Arellano, Operations Analyst at Rivet Industries, and featured CHLI Board Member Leo Muñoz, Associate Vice President of Federal Governmental Affairs at Comcast; CHLI Advisory Council Member Cristina Antelo, CEO and Principal of Ferox Strategies; CHLI Advisory Council Member Miguel Mendoza, Senior Manager at Amazon; and Sandra Benitez, Executive Director of The LIBRE Initiative.
Panelists reflected on career growth, mentorship, and the importance of intentional professional development:
Paola Arellano, Rivet Industries
“Don’t pretend to know things you don’t know. Do the job you’re given, and do it well… If you focus on bigger responsibilities before doing your assigned job correctly, you’re defeating the purpose.” — Paola Arellano
“Be honest with people, ask a lot of questions, and talk to people that are of a different mindset than you.” — Leo Muñoz
“What I tell young people interviewing is to ask themselves: ‘If I want a long-term career, what skill sets do I want to gain, and where can I get them?’” — Cristina Antelo
“One of the biggest qualities that stands out is seeking new opportunities, raising your hand, and filling the gap.” — Miguel Mendoza
“The first 10 years of my career, every single job I got was referred to by a mentor. That just shows the power of relationships.” — Sandra Benitez
The conference also featured remarks from Congressman Gabe Evans, who reflected on his experiences serving in the military and law enforcement. Joined by attendees from Colorado and members of the military, Congressman Evans emphasized the importance of leadership, perseverance, and answering the call to serve others through a life of public service.
CHLI Congressional Board Member Darren Soto spoke about the value of giving back to one’s community and the responsibility that comes with public service. Joined by attendees from Puerto Rico and Florida, Congressman Soto encouraged participants to remain civically engaged, invest in their communities, and pursue opportunities that allow them to make a meaningful impact through leadership and service.
Wrapping up the conference, attendees participated in a networking reception and lunch. Participants had the opportunity to connect with Leonardo Mendoza-Bernuy, President of the Congressional Hispanic Staff Association (CHSA); Patrick Herrera, President of the GOP Latino Staff Association (GOPLSA); and Andrés Mejía, Owner and Director of Flying Too Close Productions.
Thank you to all of those who were in attendance in person and via YouTube.
Thank you to our sponsors who helped make this conference possible.
View the CHLI Future Leaders Conference livestream
View pictures of the conference
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.