Pictured from left to right: Fabiana Gonzalez Becerra, David Oliva, Bianca Leon Garcia, Monica Mata, Carleen Jimenez, Samantha Carillo, and Christopher Ojeda.
On Wednesday, December 11, 2024, the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute (CHLI) hosted a reception in Washington, D.C., to celebrate the graduation of our Fall 2024 Global Leaders and marking the successful completion of their program. The event was hosted by CHLI Board Member and Chairwoman of the Governance Committee, Heather Kennedy, Vice President of Governmental Relations at The Home Depot.
Back row: Angel Soto, Christopher Ojeda, Fabiana Gonzalez Becerra, Rep. David Valadao (CA), and David Oliva.
Front Row: Samantha Carillo, Bianca Leon Garcia, Monica Mata, Carleen Jimenez, and Lydia Nuñez De La Torre.
The evening began with inspiring remarks by Congressman David Valadao (CA), providing our graduates with words of encouragement for their future endeavors. During the graduation reception, each intern thanked their mentors, supervisors, colleagues, and other supporters. They shared what the internship opportunity has meant to them and how they will utilize the lessons learned to further their academic and professional endeavors. The Honorable Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, CHLI Chairwoman; Mary Ann Gomez Orta, CHLI President and CEO; Nicole Marin, CHLI Senior Internship Manager; and CHLI Board Member Heather Kennedy presented the certificates of completion to the interns. The interns’ supervisors congratulated them and provided them with words of encouragement. The program concluded with Angel Soto, CHLI Global Leader Class of 2022 and Vice President of Communications of the CHLI Alumni Association, welcoming all interns to the CHLI Alumni Association.
CHLI President and CEO Mary Ann Gomez Orta closed out the evening with advice for graduating interns, thanks to sponsors, attendees, and best wishes for the holiday season.
Join us in celebrating our graduates:
- Bianca Leon Garcia – Dominican University, Class of 2024; CHLI Placements: Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL) and Tyson Foods.
- Carleen Jimenez – Wellesley College, Class of 2024; CHLI Placements: Congresswoman Jenniffer González-Colón (PR) and Ferox Strategies.
- Christopher (Chris) Ojeda – University of California, Berkeley, Class of 2024; CHLI Placements: Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (NV) and Cassidy and Associates.
- David Oliva – Texas A&M University, Class of 2023; CHLI Placements: Congressman August Pfluger (TX) and Ferox Strategies.
- Fabiana Gonzalez Becerra – University of Puerto Rico, Bayamón, Class of 2024; CHLI Placements: Congressman David Valadao (CA) and Philip Morris International
- Monica Mata – Florida International University, Honors College, Class of 2025; CHLI Placements: Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (TX) and The Home Depot.
- Samantha Carrillo – San Francisco State University, Class of 2024; CHLI Placements: Congressman Juan Vargas (CA) and The Wilson Center.
CHLI is immensely proud of our graduates. We eagerly anticipate witnessing their achievements in their future endeavors.
Thank you to our sponsors: The Home Depot, Altria Client Services, Amazon, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Chevron, Comcast|NBC|Universal, Corteva Agriscience, Ford Motor Company, UPS, and Walmart for supporting our Global Leaders throughout this program.
To view more pictures of the Fall 2024 Global Leaders Graduation reception, click here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBUT84
To learn more about the CHLI Global Leaders Program, click here: https://chli.org/global-leaders/
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.
For more information about CHLI and its programs, please contact Emily Benavides, ebenavides@chli.org