Our Team

Dr. Elsa Camargo is an assistant professor  of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA).  She holds degrees from Virginia Tech (Ph.D. in Higher Education) and the University of Illinois at Chicago (B.A. in English and Spanish and M.A in Hispanic Studies). Her research interests are in the areas of college access and success for minority students and career advancement of underrepresented faculty in higher education. Her research areas of expertise are in institution-wide diversity, inclusion and equity issues, organizational culture, and faculty.  Currently, Dr. Camargo is researching the experiences of Latino/a/x college students in the Nuevo South.  Prior to joining UTA, she was an assistant professor of Higher Education at the University of Arkansas and while there also served as Junior Research Fellow at the Office for Diversity and Inclusion.

Adriana Duenas combines vision, ingenuity, and leadership to make a profound difference in business and in the greater community. As a top producer specializing in life, health, dental, and disability insurance, Adriana delivers range of powerful solutions to mid-sized employers that enhance employee well-being and strengthen the bottom line. She also maintains long-term relationships with industry-leading carriers to deliver cost-effective, creative programs designed around sound results. In this role, she serves as a trusted advisor to C-suite executives, partnering with them to deliver long-term value.

Central to Adriana’s mission is her drive to create culturally relevant services and solutions. Adriana’s background as a bilingual and bicultural professional allow her to improve overall customer service and close the cultural gap, particularly when servicing nonprofit organizations within Latino communities. Adriana has also worked with minority and women-owned financial services businesses, furthering her impact within the communities where these firms are located. Adriana is a dedicated mentor who strives to build and nurture a diverse team of professionals at Alliant. In 2018, Adriana founded the Women at Alliant Employee Resource Group, which provides career guidance and support to women across all levels of the organization.

Yadira Enriquez is the Chief Financial Officer of Enriquez Produce, Inc., a wholesale produce distribution company named one of the 50 Most Powerful Hispanic Businesses in Illinois in 2022.  She brings a wealth of knowledge in human resources, team-building, communication, problem solving and business management.

Enriquez was recently honored to have been selected in the Negocios Now Latinos 40 Under 40, Class of 2021. She holds a bachelor’s degree in International Commerce specializing in Agricultural Business from ITESM (Tec de Monterrey) in Mexico, a certification from the Stanford GSB: Stanford Latino Entrepreneurship Initiative Program and is currently earning her MBA at EGADE Business School of Tec de Monterrey.

She is proud to have grown up in Pilsen, her upbringing offering a unique perspective of the resilience and grit of the Mexican community in Chicago. These are foundational values she carries with her today, committed to development and growth not only for herself but for those around her, the organization and most importantly her team.

Mayra’s focus as a leader has been to guide and develop her team as well as to create systems that empower her organization to reach the highest levels of performance. Along with growing her business, Mayra understands and values the benefits of collaboration, mentorship and the need for constant learning. She has participated in a wide variety of programs and has been recognized by notable groups.

Paola Meinzer is a Colombian native; she holds a BA in Psychology. She is currently the VP of marketing and Business development for Manning Silverman CPA’s and T&B, a business services firm. Paola is the Founder of MI Solutions, LEEN and the Latina Executive Golf Organization (LEX Golf). Through these organizations she’s committed to promote, educate, connect, support, and celebrate the lives of Latinas in business. Paola’s organizations and partnerships brings together a diverse group of highly motivated Latina from diverse backgrounds and industries.  Paola has served on several boards, and she has been recognized as a leader in her community. Paola is currently hosting a series of podcast interviews, where she highlights representatives of foreign countries, as well as business and community leaders. Paola’s passion and personal mission is to inspire and encourage women to pursue their American dreams and definition of success.

Jacqueline Ruiz is a visionary social entrepreneur that has created an enterprise of inspiration. With more of 20 years of experience in the marketing and Public Relations industry, she has created two successful award-winning companies, established two nonprofit organizations, published 29 books, the largest collection of Latina stories in a book anthology series in the world, and held events in four continents.  She has received over 30 awards for her contributions and business acumen.

Jacqueline is currently the CEO of award-winning JJR Marketing, one of the fastest-growing top marketing and public relations agencies in Chicago, and Fig Factor Media, an international media publishing company that helps individuals bring their books to life. Jacqueline is also the Founder of The Fig Factor Foundation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to giving vision, direction, and structure to young Latinas ages 12-25 as well as the President of Instituto Desarrollo Amazing Aguascalientes, the first youth center in Calvillo, Aguascalientes, Mexico, offering various hands-on experience, courses, and global connections to support the local troubled youth in defining their dreams.

Jacqueline currently serves as a board member for the The Fig Factor Foundation, the Alumni Executive Board at the College of DuPage, LovePurse and the World Leaders Forum.  She is a recent graduate of the DePaul University Women Entrepreneurship Cohort 3 and the Stanford University Graduate School of Business, Latino Business Action Network Cohort 11. She represents the 2.6% of women entrepreneurs with over seven figures in the United States.

Jacqueline is one of the very few Latina sports airplane pilots in the United States and the founder of Latinas in Aviation global brand. She believes that “taking off is optional, landing on your dreams is mandatory.”

Nikki holds a bachelor’s degree in Business from Lake Forest College and has dedicated her life to advocating for the Latinx community and creating opportunities for underrepresented groups. Her journey includes roles at prestigious institutions like Kellogg School of Management and FARO Advisory, where she contributed her data analytics, project management, and wealth management expertise. Nikki also spearheaded the IPOP event, an initiative designed to help Latina and small entrepreneurs expand their market presence and grow their customer base.

A tireless advocate for undocumented students, Nikki developed allyship lessons in high school and established a club in college to support the undocumented communities. At SHENIX, she combines her passion for financial literacy with her dedication to empowering minority women, creating accessible education, and driving financial independence.