Ernesto Armando Posadas

International Sales Executive: COPA Airlines

Click aqui para español- >Ernesto Armando Posadas

Where are you from?

1st generation Latin American of Honduran Mother and Guatemalan Father born and raised in New Orleans.

Where do you reside?

Currently in the process of purchasing a house in the New Orleans River Bend area.

What is your favorite place in New Orleans?

Saturday brunch and exploring all parts of our beautiful city with friends.

What kind of hobbies or activities do you enjoy?

Traveling, serving my community through various boards and committees, and CrossFit

What schools have you attended?

Jesuit High School; Tulane University – BA in Political Economy and International Development. What does your job entail? International Sales for Copa Airlines – I am responsible for Corporate Accounts, Group Accounts and servicing travel agencies in Louisiana, Texas, Alabama, and Mississippi. I also make sure that I am always networking and present throughout our community.

How did you get into this field?

God.

What is your favorite part of the job?

Working with people and connecting our region with Latin America and vice versa.

How do you serve your community?

 I serve on the board of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Chairman of the Hispanic Chamber Young Professionals; GNO Inc.; Next Gen Council; World Trade Center International Business/Transportation Committee; Hispanic Young Professionals-Chair; Murphy Sports Institute Board; Jefferson Parish Animal Shelter Advisory Board Appointed by District 4; New Orleans Hispanic Heritage Azucar Ball Committee.

What makes you proud about being in New Orleans?

I love my city. I have traveled around the world and I am always happy and proud to represent New Orleans. The people, how we treat each other and celebrate life is unlike anywhere else I have experienced. I love how polite and sweet people are in our city and I think it creates a special bond amongst New Orleanians. Our resilience.

Valeria Kawas

By Anamaria Bech

Click aqui para español- >Valeria Kawas

Journalist, Noticias Telemundo

Where are you from? San Pedro Sula, Honduras.

Where do you reside? Kenner, LA.

What is your favorite place in New Orleans?

I enjoy strolling around Magazine Street on a sunny Sunday.

What is your favorite food?

Baleada.

What kind of hobbies or activities do you enjoy?

I really enjoy doing domestic tourism in Honduras. I love to dance and have meaningful conversations with random people.

What schools have you attended?

For high school, I went to Escuela Internacional Sampedrana in Honduras. I graduated from Loyola University with a major in journalism and a minor in graphic design.

What does your job entail?

I'm a storyteller. I write, report, produce, and anchor news stories.

Why did you get into this field?

I felt I wanted to make a difference. Since a young age, I've been very curious. I knew through journalism I was going to find the answers to many questions.

What is your favorite part of the job?

There is something new going on every day. This job takes me to the world. I meet many people and their stories along the road. I can capture special moments and experience historic episodes in life.

How do you support your community?

The Hispanic community is my number one priority when it comes to my audience. I am able to speak for the voiceless and listen to what they have to say. I try to keep them in the loop.

What makes you proud about being in New Orleans?

Being able to represent my country, Honduras, in the best possible way.

Anything else you would like to add?

We are here to support, inform, and help our community. Watch me on Telemundo 42.

Eduardo Courtade

By Anamaria Bech

Click aqui para español- >Eduardo Courtade

Programming Director, Latino Mix 97.5 and Tropical 105.7 Radio Stations

Where are you from?

Beautiful and beloved Mexico.

Where do you reside? New Orleans.

What is your favorite place in New Orleans?

Hard to pick just one. I love music and New Orleans has plenty places with great music. Frenchmen (street) is definitely one of them!

What kind of hobbies or activities do you enjoy?

I like watching movies a lot, play music, and when possible, I paint a bit.

What schools have you attended?

I went to Warren Easton for High School and graduated from Loyola University with a bachelor's in Music Industry Studies and Marketing.

What does your job entail?

I do a variety of things that go from programming the music line-up for the radio stations to coordinating the creation of commercial spots. I also generate promotional ideas for our clients and listeners. In general, I deal with entertainment!

Why did you get into this field?

Since I was a child, I knew I wanted to work in the music industry. I couldn't make it as a musician, so I stayed in radio.

What services do you provide?

With the radio stations Latino Mix and Tropical, we foster a connection among businesses and their respective markets through the entertainment industry.

What advice do you give people who seek your services?

Knowing your business' market is the most important thing. Once you define clearly who you market is, everything else falls in place.

What makes you proud about being in New Orleans?

New Orleans has a unique culture that is hard for many to understand. You must live here to decipher the pleasure we get from such a diverse, vibrant and fun city like NOLA.

Yiraliz Beltran

Click aqui para español- >Yiraliz Beltran

Where are you from? Puerto Rico.

Where do you reside? Uptown, New Orleans.

What is your favorite place in New Orleans? Frenchmen Street / Hot Tin Roof Top.

What kind of hobbies or activities do you enjoy? Mother-Daughter dates, dancing, traveling, and walking my dogs.

What schools have you attended? Francisco Morales High School (PR), University of Maryland (BS – Criminal Justice), American Military University (MA – Criminal Justice)

What does your job entail? I currently manage the overall program and the development of workforce certifications, seminars and workshops; while working very closely with strategic partners in the community to establish partnerships with Xavier University.

Why did you get into this field? It started as a part time job while working on my BS and I fell in love with it. Helping students achieve their educational goals is very rewarding. It just makes me smile!

What services do you represent at Xavier University? All kinds of workforce certifications with the most popular in the Latino Community being Entrepreneurship, Health Communications, and Spanish for Health Professionals. I can also assist with all the information for our seminars, workshops and the graduate programs offered by Xavier University. We are currently offering a workshop completely in Spanish through our Sanford Institute of Philanthropy on Demonstrating Success rather than Evaluation. This is perfect for non-profit organizations and it’s also great for anyone interested in learning how to better use data to demonstrate their program's success

Why should someone choose Xavier University? Xavier is recognized as a national leader in the sciences and the liberal arts. The university truly cares about the students.

What makes you proud about being in New Orleans? The hospitality and diversity of New Orleans makes me feel a little closer to home. I love the fact that you can go out and enjoy something different every day of the week all year around. I think being part of Xavier has opened many opportunities to show our community we are here for them. I am extremely happy with my decision to move to New Orleans to take a job opportunity with Xavier University that was offered right when I needed it, and I feel I can call NOLA my new home.

What advice do you give people who want to advance in their career? Anyone interested in acquiring new skills for workforce development should check out our certificates, seminars and workshops. They can contact me directly at (504) 520-7654 or via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Lindsey Giselle Navarro / Executive Director El Centro

By AnaMaria Bech

Click aqui para español- >Lindsey Giselle Navarro

Where are you from?

Houma, Louisiana, with Panamenian blood (my parents are both from David, Chiriqui)

Where do you reside?

Uptown, New Orleans.

What is your favorite place in New Orleans? The Fly.

What kind of hobbies or activities do you enjoy?

Sailing, running, playing soccer, dancing, karaoke, traveling, eating at "La Pulga" and volunteering.

What schools have you attended?

Vanderbilt Catholic High School, Loyola University and St. Peter University for undergraduate BS Criminal Justice (2006), Loyola University for MBA (2014).

What does your job entail?

As the Executive Director of a newly founded organization, I do everything from community canvassing to creating the presentation materials to executing the workshops. I also facilitate individual meeting consultations, create the strategy for program development and do fundraising to strengthen the organization.

Why did you get into this business?

I launched El Centro because I noticed there were many small business resources and technical assistance providers working within the English-speaking community but not with the Latino community.

What services does El Centro provide?

Informative Sessions. 2-hour informative workshops, networking, and presentation on topics relevant to starting and managing a business.

Individual Consultations: Personalized time to guide individuals whether launching a new business or building and establishing credit. We also provide strategic consulting for established business owners to help them grow and scale their business.

What do you enjoy most about your job? My passion has always been small business consulting. By devoting my time fully to it, I get to empower and encourage others to follow their dreams. My favorite part is seeing entrepreneurs light up after meeting with us when they realize they are no longer alone.

Why should someone choose El Centro?

We have experience, we are connected to the entrepreneurial ecosystem and will leverage our connections to help you and your business grow.

What makes you proud about being in New Orleans?

I am proud to support the growth of the entrepreneurial community in our city. The diversity of businesses and people make this place special and fun.

What else should people know about El Centro?

El Centro is looking for partners, leaders, and volunteers in the community who want to help empower others. We need people in marketing, legal, accounting, and tech fields, sales professionals, community leader, and entrepreneurs, who can help us by sharing their knowledge and expertise hosting workshops or sharing their story. We want to build a supportive and inclusive ecosystem that will ensure the success of our Latino community through amazing volunteers like you.

El Centro is a not for profit 501(c)(3) that seeks to strengthen the financial wellbeing of the Latino community through financial literacy in the form of group trainings and individual coaching and mentoring.

Tulio Murillo

By Memo Perez Lara

Click aqui para español->Tulio Murillo

Where are you from? Born in New Orleans, LA. My parents are from Honduras.

Where do you reside? Kenner, LA.

What is your favorite place in New Orleans? The Foundation Room at the House of Blues.

 What kind of hobbies or activities do you enjoy? Traveling, festivals, jogging & exercising.

 What schools have you attended? I graduated from Bonnabel High School (Class of 1990). I went to Delgado Community College to attain an Associate Degree in Civil Construction and Applied Engineering. I’m currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Social Science with a Minor in Marketing at Tulane University.

What does your job entail? Managing and marketing of Classic Insurance Agency.

Why did you get into this business? To fill the need of providing insurance policies and information to a Spanish-speaking community in the New Orleans metropolitan area

What services does Classic Insurance provide? Auto insurance, Homeowners insurance, Commercial insurance, Workers Comp., General Liability & Umbrella Coverage insurance policies.

What do you enjoy most about your job? Guiding my customers and helping them understand their policies and needs for any new venture. I also enjoy meeting new people in the community.

Why should someone choose Classic Insurance? We have over 20 years of experience with a quick turn around on issuing coverage and polices. We are always glad to assist, and we are open six days a week with convenient hours.

What is your goal for your customers? Making sure that every single one of our clients leaves our office with the correct coverage, understand their policies, and peace of mind. Our customers are always welcome in our offices and they can always come see us for additional information.

What makes you proud about being in New Orleans? The diversity and culture that we are surrounded by, and how we all come and work together in times of need.

Vanessa Flores, Owner, Translate NOLA, LLC

Click aqui para español->Vanessa Flores

Where are you from? I was born in California, but my entire family is from Mexico, so although my nationality is USA, I am from Mexico.

Where do you reside? I reside in Metairie, LA with my three children, Rhett, Oliver and Vivian

What is your favorite plan in New Orleans?

 I enjoy playing tourist for the day and go sightseeing. I especially enjoy the many museums this city offers.

Do you have any hobbies? I enjoy cake decorating, painting, and gardening. I am not the best at it, but it relieves stress and I get to release my creative side.

What is your professional background? I am currently attending my last year of law school at Southern University Law Center. I obtained my masters and bachelor’s in History from the University of New Orleans, and I studied Information Technology at the Instituto Tecnológico de Saltillo in Mexico.

What does your job entail? With Translate Nola, I mostly take care of PR and management, among other things. With having to attend law school I rely on my office manager for the everyday tasks, like taking requests and scheduling.

Why did you start this business? I have always been an interpreter. As a child, I interpreted for my mother and as a young adult I saw an immense need for competent interpreters in all fields, but especially in the legal and medical arena. I’ve always wanted to help out our immigrant community.

What does Translate Nola provide? We provide translation and interpretation services in over 20 languages.

Why should people choose Translate Nola?

Because we care about our clients and want to offer professional services at competitive prices, so in our case, you get more than what you pay for! We love to be of service and look forward to the opportunity to earn your trust.

What makes you proud about living and working in New Orleans? I love the opportunity to have this type of business in New Orleans because we have a strong diverse community.

Leaders

Adriana Romero Audler

Click aqui para español->Adriana Romero Audler

Where are you from? I was born and raised in New Orleans to Cuban parents.

What is your favorite place in New Orleans? I love the French Quarter and Uptown. They are so unique. I enjoy the history, architecture, ambiance, and the great restaurants found there.

Where do you reside? I live in the city of Kenner and my office is located on Williams Boulevard. I am very proud to be a part of this community.

What does your job entail? I am a business developer for Delta Title Corporation. I serve as a closing agent for property transfers that complete sales. While inspections and financing protocols are completed, I work behind the scenes performing title searches, determining property taxes, communicating with lenders, and also holding deposits in a separate escrow account while preparing the closing statements and obtaining the title insurance.

How long have you worked at Delta Title Corporation? I have been at Delta Title Corporation for 13 years.

 What is your favorite part of the job? I get great satisfaction when I close on a home. My favorite moment is seeing the joy on the faces of first-time home buyers when they realize their dream has come true. I enjoy networking with Realtors, lenders, and investors. I’m passionate about educating buyers in the process of purchasing, investing, and/or refinancing their homes, so hosting first-time home buyers seminars is also a favorite.

What can buyers expect when doing business with you? The closing sale can be an overwhelming experience and I make every effort to explain the documents carefully. I am accessible to clients, even after completion of the transaction, to answer any questions or concerns they may have. I have many years of experience and a wealth of knowledge in the business, in addition to being fluent in English and Spanish languages.

 What advice do you give people who want to buy a home? Buyers should educate themselves on the process of buying a home. First-time home buyers seminars are very helpful. Buyers should always explore a few different financing options and do their research to make the best decision.