The Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute (CHLI) held its Congressional Public Policy Briefing on Finance on December 10, 2025, at Florida International University in Washington, D.C.
The briefing brought together a diverse group of finance experts to have an in-depth dialogue on how innovation across traditional banking, digital finance, cryptocurrency, and family enterprise is reshaping the pathway to economic resilience and generational wealth.
The program began by spotlighting CHLI partner Katch Skills — a platform that helps users track and showcase both formal and informal skills to build a complete picture of their strengths. It’s designed to turn everyday learning into measurable skills that support personal and professional growth. Click here to register and start logging the skills you learn: https://www.katchskills.ai/
CHLI Chairwoman, The Honorable Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, gave remarks emphasizing the importance of diverse voices and perspectives to guide conversations rooted in access, accountability, and opportunity in banking.
The briefing continued with our panel on “Building Economic Resilience”, moderated by CHLI President and CEO, Mary Ann Gomez Orta. Panelists included: Mariana Martinez, Executive Director and Senior Family Dynamics Consultant at Wells Fargo; Meredith Shields, Head of Citi Impact Fund at Citi; Darin Carter, Web3 Advocacy Manager at Coinbase, and CHLI Advisory Council Member Ezra Garrett, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs & Impact at Oportun. They explored how responsible technology, public finance, and consumer safeguards play a critical role in building trust, preventing scams, and ensuring that new tools drive long-term financial stability.
The program concluded with an engaging Q&A, where attendees continued the conversation on the American financial landscape and creating sustainable prosperity for current and future generations.
Special thank you to our sponsors: The Coca-Cola Company, Gates Foundation, Capital One, Coinbase, Citi, Dell Technologies, Green Hills Software, Oportun, Pfizer, Amazon, Charter Communications, Chevron, Dominion Energy, Edison Electric Institute, Pacific Gas & Electric Company, 2042 Media, and ServiceNow.
To view a full recording of the briefing, click here: https://youtu.be/mGSuUq2LNwA
To view pictures of the event, click here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCDZAE