Agenda

The Trump Administration has enacted numerous changes that affect federal policies around immigration, education, health, energy, trade, foreign policy, and many others. This session will provide elected officials from all levels of government with an overview of the federal landscape and how these changes affect the Latino community.

Presenting Partner: Wells Fargo

Workshop Track Chair: Gates Foundation

Welcome Remarks: Ms. Maria Vergara, Senior Vice President, Customer Growth Segments, Home Lending, Well Fargo

Latino professional and Greek organizations have long held a role in cultivating talent for the corporate and public sectors. Latinos are projected to make up over 20 percent of the labor force by 2030, increasing the need for professional development tailored to the community. In this session, participants will hear from a panel of leaders who head professional and leadership organizations that develop the Latino workforce across different sectors.

Presenting Partner: Wells Fargo
Latinas are a powerful force in our communities, workplaces, and the U.S. economy, with high rates of business ownership and economic output growing over 51 percent since 2010. However, financial wealth-building remains a challenge for many Latino families. This session will equip elected officials with strategies to support Latina economic empowerment through financial literacy and entrepreneurship, fostering long-term financial security and economic resilience.

Luncheon Host: Toyota Motor North America, Inc.

Welcome Remarks: Ms. Nicolina Hernandez, Regional Director of State Government Affairs, Toyota Motor North America, Inc.

Remarks: Ms. Lupita Sanchez Cornejo, External and Legislative Affairs, Greater Los Angeles Region, AT&T

Presented by NALEO and AAPI LEAD

As we conclude the NALEO 42^nd Annual Conference, enjoy some delectable dishes from the Peach State in this relaxed, Southern hospitality experience celebrating Latino and Asian American Pacific Islander leadership from across the country and celebrating the 2026 World Cup.

National Leadership Luncheon Host: Walmart

Plenary Host: Kaiser Permanente

More than 70 million Americans, about one-fifth of the population, rely on Medicaid for their healthcare coverage. Recent changes to Medicaid will result in a significant shift of fiscal responsibility to state and local governments. During this plenary, experts will provide an overview of the Medicaid landscape; the impact of federal legislation on state and local governments, the economy, and the provision of healthcare for their most vulnerable populations; and the options available to policymakers at the local level to help ensure their constituents have access to the healthcare they need.

Welcome Remarks: Mr. Javier Angulo, Group Director, Community Relations, Walmart

Presenting Partner: The Coca-Cola Company

While our nation is undergoing tremendous change at the federal level, communities and families continue to look to their elected representatives for the services and resources they need to thrive. During this plenary, NALEO Champions will discuss how they are leveraging their leadership roles to create a policy environment that addresses the needs of their constituents.
 

Welcome Remarks:

Ms. Beatriz Perez, EVP and Global Chief Communications, Sustainability & Strategic Partnerships Officer, The Coca-Cola Company,

Mr. Edgar Agundez, Director, State Farm^®

A Fireside Chat with NALEO Educational Fund CEO Erica Bernal-Martinez and Noticias Telemundo Anchor Julio Vaqueiro

This conversation will explore the intersection of journalism, civic engagement, and the Latino electorate. With the 2024 elections behind us and the 2026 midterms on the horizon, the dialogue will examine:

· Shifts in voter sentiment, political behavior, and media consumption among Latinos;

· The evolving role and responsibility of media in covering democracy;

· Ground-level observations from the campaign trail and community engagement field; and

· Lessons learned from decades of working to increase Latino political participation.

In November 2024, Latino voters once again played a decisive role in shaping outcomes up and down the ballot — from the presidency to state and local races — reflecting broader transformations across the American electorate. This plenary will explore the composition of the 2024 electorate and examine the forces driving the current administration’s push for swift and sweeping policy change. The conversation will feature a diverse panel of political perspectives on key voter priorities, shifts in party strategies, and what these evolving dynamics signal for Latino voter engagement — and the broader political landscape — as the nation looks ahead to 2026 and beyond.

From the moment policymakers are sworn into office they become the chief advocates for their constituents — the go-to people for critical matters that affect daily quality of life. Public servants are leading amid several transitions and crises, which can take an additional personal toll on themselves and their families. This session will provide participants with strategies that elected officials can adopt to practice self-care and maintain mental wellbeing while fulfilling their leadership responsibilities.

Among the most critical responsibilities for policymakers is determining how the physical configuration of their communities will change, develop, and adapt to meet their residents’ present and future needs. This session will provide a high-level overview of land use planning and highlight best practices and innovative strategies that communities are using to repurpose, develop, or sell underutilized land for better use. 

Presenting Partner: State Farm^®
Workshop Session Contributor: Southern California Edison

Response and recovery efforts in the early days and weeks following a disaster can drastically impact the speed and sustainability of community recovery and resiliency. This session will explore long-term policy challenges, opportunities, and strategies that communities can implement before an emergency to achieve more effective disaster response and recovery. The experts will also highlight how state and local jurisdictions can prepare to respond to emergency events without relying on FEMA support or data and weather information from NOAA.

Presenting Partner: State Farm^®

Host: AT&T

Presented by NALEO and AAPI LEAD
Host: The Coca-Cola Company
Contributor: DoorDash

Join us at the iconic World of Coca-Cola in Atlanta for a joyful gathering where unity takes center stage. Whether catching up with colleagues or making new connections, this night is all about celebrating what brings us together.