Front row: Rafael Escalante; Nora Venegas, Tyson Foods; Paola Guell; Daniela Pineda-Vizcaino; Aischa Saavedra; Diana Angel; and CHLI Board Member Jennifer Zinicola, Coca-Cola Company.
On Wednesday, May 6, 2026, the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute (CHLI) held a special reception on Capitol Hill to celebrate the graduation of its Spring 2026 Global Leaders and Administrative Intern.
The program began with opening remarks from CHLI Director of Programs and Internships Nicole Marín, followed by welcoming remarks from CHLI President & CEO Mary Ann Gomez Orta. They reflected on the importance of mentorship, service, leadership, and the role programs like CHLI play in preparing the future Hispanic leaders.
Front row: CHLI Director of Programs and Internships, Nicole Marin, Aischa Saavedra, Rafael Escalante, Paola Guell, Daniela Pineda-Vizcaino, Diana Angel, and CHLI President and CEO, Mary Ann Gomez Orta.
This year’s event celebrated eight Global Leaders and a CHLI Administrative Intern, who offered heartfelt reflections on their time with CHLI—expressing gratitude for the mentorship they received, the skills they developed, and the meaningful impact the programs had on their growth.
“I interned in DC last semester, and I caught the bug of wanting to stay here, and I’m so grateful for CHLI helping that dream of mine come true.” – Diana Angel, CHLI Congressional Placement: Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (NV); Corporate Placement: Target
“Programs like CHLI matter because they do not just open doors; they prepare you to walk through them with confidence. They provide mentorship, exposure, and a sense of direction that, for many of us, is not easily accessible otherwise.” – Isabella Balbi Masso, CHLI Congressional Placement: Rep. Henry Cuellar (TX); Corporate Placement: The Home Depot
“What I’ve learned during this journey is that uncertainty is not something to fear — it’s something to grow through.” – Diego Cifuentes, CHLI Congressional Placement: Rep. Young Kim (CA); Corporate Placement: Ferox Strategies
“CHLI gave me the tools and financial support to fulfill my dream of working in the United States Congress and gain my first experience in the private sector.” – Rafael Escalante, CHLI Congressional Placement: Rep. Rob Menendez (NJ); Corporate Placement: UPS
“I am thankful for CHLI for bringing us together; they made a wonderful selection of individuals. I know many of us will go on to do great things, attend amazing schools, and have a lasting impact in our respective fields.” – Kevin Gonzalez, CHLI Congressional Placement: Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (NY); Corporate Placement: Becker
“My time here has provided me with invaluable insights and experiences, and I am deeply appreciative of the friendships and opportunities CHLI has offered me during my time in Washington, D.C.” – Damien Loera, CHLI Congressional Placement: Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (NY); Corporate Placement: Ferox Strategies
“My time here has certainly been a memorable experience, and I feel like I have grown in my abilities, especially in networking, communication, and gaining clarity on my future goals.” – Daniela Pineda-Vizcaíno, CHLI Congressional Placement: Rep. Ritchie Torres (NY); Corporate Placement: Tyson Foods
“Interning in Congress strengthened my ability to distill complex information into effective writing and collaborate across the aisle for a common goal.” Paola Guell, CHLI Congressional Placement: Rep. Juan Vargas (CA); Corporate Placement: NVG
“I am very grateful to everyone I had the opportunity to work with because each person taught me something valuable that I will continue to carry with me into the future.” – Aischa Saavedra, CHLI Administrative Intern
The reception concluded with remarks from Sophy Jaimes, Vice President of CHLI’s Alumni Association, who officially welcomed the Spring 2026 graduates into the Alumni Association.
Thank you to our sponsors: Ford Philanthropy, Altria Client Services, FedEx, Target, Bristol Myers Squibb, Corteva Agriscience, The Home Depot, Charter Communications, DoorDash, Johnson & Johnson, and Chevron.
To learn more about the CHLI Global Leaders Program, visit CHLI Global Leaders Program
View more pictures of the Spring 2026 Global Leaders Graduation reception: 2026 Spring Global Leaders Graduation | Flickr
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.