Event Schedule

Katiasofia is a Peruvian medical assistant and the producer/host of Dopaminergicos, a Spanish-language mental health and neuroscience podcast. She holds a B.A. in Cognitive Behavioral Neuroscience from The College of Wooster. Through her work, she uplifts Latinx scientists and shares the importance of neuroscience as a framework for compassion and community well-being.

Miguel Rosales is an award-winning bridge designer and president of Rosales+ since 1997. Over a distinguished 35-year career, he has redefined bridge design by combining technical expertise with artistic vision. Internationally recognized, Rosales has designed iconic structures including Boston’s Zakim, Liberty, and Appleton bridges, and his book Bridges as Structural Art showcases his global impact on communities and the built environment.

Isis Ortiz-Belton is a seasoned financial services and banking professional with more than 16 years of experience in credit risk, corporate finance, and underwriting. She currently serves as Vice President and Portfolio Manager at Eastern Bank, where she manages a diverse portfolio of commercial banking relationships, including middle market and security alarm companies. Prior to joining Eastern, Isis held credit roles at Citizens Bank, Santander Bank, and John Hancock Financial Services.

A dedicated community leader and champion of diversity, equity, and inclusion, Isis is deeply committed to advancing education and financial literacy for minority students, as well as advocating for the rights of women, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ communities. She is the immediate past President and current Corporate Advisory Board Member of the Boston chapter of the Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA), the first and largest Latino professional association in the U.S. Beyond ALPFA, Isis contributes her leadership and expertise across numerous boards, including the Phoenix Charter Academy Network, Lawrence Boys and Girls Club, Cummings Foundation, Unidos in Power, Central Catholic High School, The Trustees of Reservations, Lawrence Community Works, United Latinas, and Raising a Reader Massachusetts.

Isis is a proud graduate of Central Catholic High School. She earned dual B.A. degrees in Mathematics and Business Management from Emmanuel College, an M.S. in Finance from the New England Institute of Business at Cambridge College, and an MBA from Bentley University. She has also been selected for several prestigious leadership fellowships, including Latinos for Education (2018), the Boston Future Leaders program (2021), and LEADS Lawrence (2021).

Her accomplishments have been widely recognized. Among her many honors, Isis has been named a Latinx Amplifier (2021), a two-time ALPFA Latina Rising Star (2021 and 2022), recipient of the St. Therese of Lisieux Alumni Award from Central Catholic High School, a Leading Women Award honoree by the Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts (2023), an ALX100 Honoree by Amplify Latinx (2023), and a Tribute to Women Awardee by the YWCA of Northeastern Massachusetts (2025). She is also a co-author of Extraordinary Latinas, Volume I.

Born in Bayamón, Puerto Rico and raised with strong Dominican influence, Isis proudly embraces her heritage. She resides in Lawrence, MA with her wife and son and identifies with the pronouns she, her, and hers.

As a first-generation Cuban American, Angel has experienced firsthand how perseverance and vision can transform lives. His journey began in the nonprofit sector, driven by a passion to uplift underserved communities. Along the way, he earned a degree in Psychology, an MBA, and competed as a four-year collegiate athlete—experiences that instilled resilience, discipline, and the importance of leading with heart.

Today, as a Private Client Financial Advisor at Citizens, Angel brings those lessons into his work every day. He believes financial planning is more than managing wealth—it’s about creating access, building legacy, and opening doors for future generations. His approach combines empathy with strategic clarity, helping clients navigate life’s financial complexities while keeping their goals and values at the center.

Beyond his career, Angel is deeply committed to mentorship and advocacy, ensuring that others have the access, encouragement, and pathways that once felt out of reach. His story is more than a personal journey—it is a testament to the power of perseverance, the importance of opportunity, and the responsibility to lift others as we rise.

Sofía is a Colombian Ph.D. student in Physics at MIT, where her research explores gravitational-wave astrophysics and the properties of black hole and neutron star populations. As part of MIT’s LIGO Laboratory, she applies Bayesian methods to study the evolution of stellar systems and improve gravitational-wave detection.

María Luisa Parra directs the Spanish Language Program and the Initiative on the Teaching of Spanish as a Heritage Language at Harvard University. With a Ph.D. in Hispanic linguistics and training in developmental psychology, her work integrates pedagogy, arts, and community engagement to support bilingual Latino youth and heritage language education. She is the author of Enseñanza del español y juventud latina (2021) and has received numerous awards for her leadership in inclusive education.

Utopia Dance Company celebrates culture, confidence, and connection through the joy of dance. Welcoming people of all ages and backgrounds, the group creates inclusive spaces where everyone can learn, grow, and express themselves.

Rosalba Solis and La Piñata share the beauty of traditional Aztec dance and song, honoring Mother Earth and TONANTZIN with vibrant performances rooted in pre-Hispanic traditions.

Mariachi Guadalajara Boston is an authentic mariachi ensemble representing Mexican heritage in New England. Their performances blend traditional instrumentation with diverse vocals, delivering the timeless sounds of Mexico.

Originally from Chilean Patagonia, Nicolás Emden is a Boston-based artist whose music weaves together South American folk, rock, and Americana. His soulful Spanish-language vocals bring a deeply evocative quality to his performances.

Founded in 1975, La Alianza Hispana empowers the Latino community through culturally responsive programs in early childhood, senior services, workforce development, and referral support.

MathWorks is the leading creator of mathematical computing software, including MATLAB and Simulink, serving engineers and scientists worldwide.

Casa Esperanza is a bilingual and bicultural health center supporting the Latino community in Massachusetts. Its mission is to help individuals and families recover from addiction, trauma, and mental illness.

The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) Boston chapter is part of the nation’s largest organization dedicated to advancing Hispanics in STEM through networking, mentorship, and community engagement.

We Are ALX, founded in 2017, is a non-partisan movement advancing Latino prosperity and leadership representation across Massachusetts.

The Consulate of Peru supports the community through consular services and humanitarian aid, while also promoting Peruvian culture, cuisine, and tourism in Massachusetts.

The SHPE BU chapter empowers Hispanic students in STEM through mentorship, networking, professional development, and outreach, preparing the next generation of leaders in science and engineering.

The Department of Mental Health provides services and support for individuals of all ages, ensuring access to care that enables people to live, work, and participate in their communities.