June 23-24, 2021
About the Virtual NALEO 38th Annual Conference
Join the Virtual NALEO 38th Annual Conference, the nation’s largest and most prestigious gathering of Latino elected and appointed officials. This year’s virtual convening presents an unparalleled opportunity for Latino policymakers to meet with their colleagues from all levels of government. 2020 was an unprecedented year with the United States simultaneously experiencing the worst public health crisis in over a century, a reckoning on systemic racism, and the worst attacks on our institutions and democracy since the Civil War.
As we continue to face these realities in 2021, it is critical that we are poised to face how these issues will affect a wide range of policy decisions for the foreseeable future. As all of these issue areas have had a significant impact on the Latino community, this year’s Conference will provide a virtual venue for the meaningful exchange of ideas on charting a path forward toward further community resilience and national healing. Together, we can build this future and emerge stronger than we were before.
Dynamic Programs That Foster Solutions and Ideas
The Virtual NALEO 38th Annual Conference is unlike any other professional development gathering for elected and appointed officials. Participants include an array of geographically diverse policymakers from various levels of government, representatives from philanthropy and the private sector, and other community leaders. The convening of such a varied group of stakeholders offers a unique opportunity to discuss and exchange policy ideas, best practices, and innovative approaches to addressing the most pressing policy challenges facing our communities.
Meaningful Access for Latino Policymakers
The Virtual NALEO 38th Annual Conference will provide participants with the unparalleled opportunity to hear directly from our nation’s top executive and legislative leaders. Past participants have included the U.S. President, U.S. Vice President, members of the President’s Cabinet, leaders of the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives, Presidential candidates, and corporate and business leaders.
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Livestream Agenda
Tuesday, June 18, 2024
Breakfast & Opening Gavel Ceremony & Plenary: A Look at Nevada’s Latino Community & Political Leadership
9:00 – 10:00 a.m. PT
NALEO and NALEO Educational Fund leaders will be joined by officials from Nevada and Las Vegas to welcome participants to the NALEO 41st Annual Conference.
Over the past decade, the Silver State has seen tremendous growth and change — with Latinos playing a major role in this transition. From 2010 through 2020, Nevada’s total population grew from 2.7 million to 3.1 million — an increase of 15 percent — while the state’s Latino population increased by 24 percent. Latinos now account for nearly 18 percent of all registered voters in Nevada. The state’s number of Latino elected officials also continues to increase across all levels of office, including the only Latina in the U.S. Senate, Senator Catherine Cortez Masto. However, with this growth there also have been challenges and unique needs for the Latino community. Latinos in Nevada have been disproportionally affected by national events, such as the 2008 housing crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. During this opening plenary, panelists will provide an overview of the state’s Latino community, the growth of its Latino political leadership, and the key role the state is poised to play in the national political landscape.
Breakfast & Opening Gavel Ceremony Welcome Remarks:
- Hon. E. Junior Maldonado, Clerk, Hudson County, New Jersey; NALEO President
- Hon. Catherine Cortez Masto, U.S. Senator
- Hon. Felicia Ortiz, President, Nevada State Board of Education
- Hon. Fabian Doñate, Nevada State Senator; Chair, Nevada Latino Legislative Caucus
- Hon. Carolyn G. Goodman, Mayor, City of Las Vegas, Nevada
Plenary Moderator: Hon. Olivia Diaz, Councilmember, City of Las Vegas, Nevada
- Hon. Nancy Brune, Ph.D., Councilmember, City of Las Vegas; Research Professor, Desert Research Institute; President, Luz Development Institute, LLC
- Hon. Susie Martinez, Executive Secretary-Treasurer, Nevada State AFL-CIO; Former Nevada State Assemblymember
National Leadership Luncheon & Plenary: The State of World Affairs & the Impact on Latinos in the United States
12:30 – 2:00 p.m. PT
Global and regional conflicts, political upheaval, mass migration patterns, and natural disasters are just a few contributing factors to the turmoil being felt across the globe. Inevitably, these world affairs become deciding factors for major policy areas in the United States — including the economy, security, public health, energy, and many others. This plenary will dive into the current state of world affairs and explore how and why decisions being made across the globe can affect the Latino community and the future of our nation.
Luncheon Remarks:
- Hon. Jacky Rosen, U.S. Senator
- Hon. Grace Napolitano, U.S. Representative (CA-31)
Plenary Moderator: Mr. Arturo Vargas, Chief Executive Officer, NALEO and NALEO Educational Fund
- Hon. Arturo Sarukhan, Nonresident Senior Fellow – Foreign Policy, Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology, Latin America Initiative, The Brookings Institution; Former Ambassador of Mexico to the United States
Wednesday, June 19, 2024
Breakfast & Plenary: Charting a Path Forward: Working through America’s Political Divide
9:00 – 10:00 a.m. PT
As a national organization with a diverse constituency — representing many political perspectives, national origins, gender, sexual orientation, and geographies — NALEO Educational Fund is proud of its ability to convene forums like the NALEO Annual Conference, facilitating critical discussions important to the Latino community while promoting civil public discourse. Unfortunately, our nation has seen a shift in recent years as hyper-partisanship takes hold of political parties, public officials, and communities across the country — a practice that counters the core values of democracy and civility. This plenary will explore the effects of hyper-partisanship and how Latino leaders can address extreme division in the public square and demonstrate their commitment to serving their constituents and preserving American democracy.
Plenary Moderator: Hon. Anna Tovar, Arizona Corporation Commissioner
- Ms. Samar S. Ali, Research Professor of Political Science and Law, Co-Chair, Project on Unity & American Democracy, Vanderbilt University; Founder & Chief Executive Office, Millions of Conversations
- Mr. Adam Brandon, President, Independent Center
National Leadership Luncheon & Plenary: Addressing the Humanitarian Crisis at the Border and Beyond
12:30 – 2:00 p.m. PT
According to projections reported by Axios, more than 8 million migrants and asylum seekers will be living in the United States by the end of September. These individuals have entered the United States through Mexico — originating from Latin America, Asia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and beyond. As a result of the increased migrant population, border communities have faced extreme challenges in providing basic needs. This plenary will highlight strategies and partnerships available to policymakers at all levels of government to address the humanitarian concerns around the migrant crisis and communities across the country.
Luncheon Keynote Remarks: Hon. Xavier Becerra, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services
Luncheon Welcome Remarks: Hon. Steven Horsford, U.S. Representative (NV-4); Chair, Congressional Black Caucus
Plenary Moderator: Hon. Robert Garcia, U.S. Representative (CA-42)
- Ms. Andrea Flores, Vice President, Immigration Policy and Campaigns, FWD.
- Ms. Marissa Arrez, Director of Strategic Partnerships, Office of Immigrant, Migrant and Refugee Rights, City of Chicago, Illinois
- Ms. Melissa M. Lopez, Executive Director, Estrella del Paso
Thursday, June 20, 2024
Breakfast & Plenary: Strengthening the Foundations for Latino Economic Growth
9:00 – 10:00 a.m. PT
According to a recent report from the Latino Donor Collaborative, U.S. Latino economic output reached $3.2 trillion in 2021. The same study indicates that if Latinos were an independent country, their GDP would rank fifth in the world, ahead of the United Kingdom, India, and France. At the same time, however, most major polls of Latino voters indicate that the economy and the rising cost of living top the list of concerns. This session will explore the current and future state of Latino economic growth and influence while identifying policies and strategies that policymakers can support and advance to increase our community’s economic mobility and prosperity.
Breakfast Keynote Remarks: Hon. Julie A. Su, Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor
Plenary Moderator: Hon. Susana A. Mendoza, Illinois State Comptroller
- Ana Valdez, President & Chief Executive Officer, Latino Donor Collaborative
- Patty Juarez, Head of Hispanic and Latino Affairs, Wells Fargo
- Alfred Fraijo, Jr., Partner and Founder, Somos Law Group
National Leadership Luncheon & Plenary: The Latino Vote in 2024
12:30 – 2:00 p.m. PT
Latinos are the second-largest population and eligible voting group in the country and are once again poised to play a decisive role in the presidential election and local and state contests nationwide. NALEO Educational Fund projects that at least 17.5 million Latino voters will turn out to the polls in November, an increase of 6.5 percent from 2020.This plenary will provide a profile of the Latino electorate, address the community’s potential impact on the 2024 election, and what steps candidates up and down the ballot are taking to secure the Latino vote.
Introduction: Mr. Arturo Vargas, Chief Executive Officer, NALEO and NALEO Educational Fund
Plenary Moderator: Ms. Nicole Suarez, Network News Anchor, Telemundo
- Chuck Rocha, Founder, Solidarity Strategies
- Mike Madrid, Principal, GrassrootsLab
Breakfast & Opening Gavel Ceremony & Plenary: A Look at Nevada’s Latino Community & Political Leadership
9:00 – 10:00 a.m. PT
NALEO and NALEO Educational Fund leaders will be joined by officials from Nevada and Las Vegas to welcome participants to the NALEO 41st Annual Conference.
Over the past decade, the Silver State has seen tremendous growth and change — with Latinos playing a major role in this transition. From 2010 through 2020, Nevada’s total population grew from 2.7 million to 3.1 million — an increase of 15 percent — while the state’s Latino population increased by 24 percent. Latinos now account for nearly 18 percent of all registered voters in Nevada. The state’s number of Latino elected officials also continues to increase across all levels of office, including the only Latina in the U.S. Senate, Senator Catherine Cortez Masto. However, with this growth there also have been challenges and unique needs for the Latino community. Latinos in Nevada have been disproportionally affected by national events, such as the 2008 housing crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. During this opening plenary, panelists will provide an overview of the state’s Latino community, the growth of its Latino political leadership, and the key role the state is poised to play in the national political landscape.
Breakfast & Opening Gavel Ceremony Welcome Remarks:
- Hon. E. Junior Maldonado, Clerk, Hudson County, New Jersey; NALEO President
- Hon. Catherine Cortez Masto, U.S. Senator
- Hon. Felicia Ortiz, President, Nevada State Board of Education
- Hon. Fabian Doñate, Nevada State Senator; Chair, Nevada Latino Legislative Caucus
- Hon. Carolyn G. Goodman, Mayor, City of Las Vegas, Nevada
Plenary Moderator: Hon. Olivia Diaz, Councilmember, City of Las Vegas, Nevada
- Hon. Nancy Brune, Ph.D., Councilmember, City of Las Vegas; Research Professor, Desert Research Institute; President, Luz Development Institute, LLC
- Hon. Susie Martinez, Executive Secretary-Treasurer, Nevada State AFL-CIO; Former Nevada State Assemblymember
National Leadership Luncheon & Plenary: The State of World Affairs & the Impact on Latinos in the United States
12:30 – 2:00 p.m. PT
Global and regional conflicts, political upheaval, mass migration patterns, and natural disasters are just a few contributing factors to the turmoil being felt across the globe. Inevitably, these world affairs become deciding factors for major policy areas in the United States — including the economy, security, public health, energy, and many others. This plenary will dive into the current state of world affairs and explore how and why decisions being made across the globe can affect the Latino community and the future of our nation.
Luncheon Remarks:
- Hon. Jacky Rosen, U.S. Senator
- Hon. Grace Napolitano, U.S. Representative (CA-31)
Plenary Moderator: Mr. Arturo Vargas, Chief Executive Officer, NALEO and NALEO Educational Fund
- Hon. Arturo Sarukhan, Nonresident Senior Fellow – Foreign Policy, Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology, Latin America Initiative, The Brookings Institution; Former Ambassador of Mexico to the United States
Breakfast & Plenary: Charting a Path Forward: Working through America’s Political Divide
9:00 – 10:00 a.m. PT
As a national organization with a diverse constituency — representing many political perspectives, national origins, gender, sexual orientation, and geographies — NALEO Educational Fund is proud of its ability to convene forums like the NALEO Annual Conference, facilitating critical discussions important to the Latino community while promoting civil public discourse. Unfortunately, our nation has seen a shift in recent years as hyper-partisanship takes hold of political parties, public officials, and communities across the country — a practice that counters the core values of democracy and civility. This plenary will explore the effects of hyper-partisanship and how Latino leaders can address extreme division in the public square and demonstrate their commitment to serving their constituents and preserving American democracy.
Plenary Moderator: Hon. Anna Tovar, Arizona Corporation Commissioner
- Ms. Samar S. Ali, Research Professor of Political Science and Law, Co-Chair, Project on Unity & American Democracy, Vanderbilt University; Founder & Chief Executive Office, Millions of Conversations
- Mr. Adam Brandon, President, Independent Center
National Leadership Luncheon & Plenary: Addressing the Humanitarian Crisis at the Border and Beyond
12:30 – 2:00 p.m. PT
According to projections reported by Axios, more than 8 million migrants and asylum seekers will be living in the United States by the end of September. These individuals have entered the United States through Mexico — originating from Latin America, Asia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and beyond. As a result of the increased migrant population, border communities have faced extreme challenges in providing basic needs. This plenary will highlight strategies and partnerships available to policymakers at all levels of government to address the humanitarian concerns around the migrant crisis and communities across the country.
Luncheon Keynote Remarks: Hon. Xavier Becerra, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services
Luncheon Welcome Remarks: Hon. Steven Horsford, U.S. Representative (NV-4); Chair, Congressional Black Caucus
Plenary Moderator: Hon. Robert Garcia, U.S. Representative (CA-42)
- Ms. Andrea Flores, Vice President, Immigration Policy and Campaigns, FWD.
- Ms. Marissa Arrez, Director of Strategic Partnerships, Office of Immigrant, Migrant and Refugee Rights, City of Chicago, Illinois
- Ms. Melissa M. Lopez, Executive Director, Estrella del Paso
Breakfast & Plenary: Strengthening the Foundations for Latino Economic Growth
9:00 – 10:00 a.m. PT
According to a recent report from the Latino Donor Collaborative, U.S. Latino economic output reached $3.2 trillion in 2021. The same study indicates that if Latinos were an independent country, their GDP would rank fifth in the world, ahead of the United Kingdom, India, and France. At the same time, however, most major polls of Latino voters indicate that the economy and the rising cost of living top the list of concerns. This session will explore the current and future state of Latino economic growth and influence while identifying policies and strategies that policymakers can support and advance to increase our community’s economic mobility and prosperity.
Breakfast Keynote Remarks: Hon. Julie A. Su, Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor
Plenary Moderator: Hon. Susana A. Mendoza, Illinois State Comptroller
- Ana Valdez, President & Chief Executive Officer, Latino Donor Collaborative
- Patty Juarez, Head of Hispanic and Latino Affairs, Wells Fargo
- Alfred Fraijo, Jr., Partner and Founder, Somos Law Group
National Leadership Luncheon & Plenary: The Latino Vote in 2024
12:30 – 2:00 p.m. PT
Latinos are the second-largest population and eligible voting group in the country and are once again poised to play a decisive role in the presidential election and local and state contests nationwide. NALEO Educational Fund projects that at least 17.5 million Latino voters will turn out to the polls in November, an increase of 6.5 percent from 2020.This plenary will provide a profile of the Latino electorate, address the community’s potential impact on the 2024 election, and what steps candidates up and down the ballot are taking to secure the Latino vote.
Introduction: Mr. Arturo Vargas, Chief Executive Officer, NALEO and NALEO Educational Fund
Plenary Moderator: Ms. Nicole Suarez, Network News Anchor, Telemundo
- Chuck Rocha, Founder, Solidarity Strategies
- Mike Madrid, Principal, GrassrootsLab