Latino Power Players

Assemblywoman Maritza Davila has been representing New York’s 53rd Assembly District since 2013, advocating for affordable housing, public safety, and education. She has a strong background in community activism and served as a community liaison for the Ridgewood Bushwick Senior Citizens Council. Assemblywoman Davila is committed to enhancing the quality of life in her district through legislative efforts and community engagement, working tirelessly to address the needs of her constituents in North Brooklyn.

If you could give your younger self advice, what would it be?
If I could give my younger self advice, I would say to trust in your instincts and never underestimate the power of community. Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, stay resilient, and always remember the importance of staying connected to the people you serve. Your passion for helping others will be your greatest strength – nurture it, and let it guide you through every obstacle.

How has your heritage shaped the person you are today?
My heritage has profoundly shaped the person I am today. Growing up in a Puerto Rican family, I was instilled with a deep sense of pride, resilience, and a strong commitment to community. The values of hard work, respect for others, and the importance of family have guided my actions both personally and professionally. My cultural roots have inspired my passion for advocating for underserved communities, they continue to drive my dedication to public service.

What is the proudest moment of your career so far?
The proudest moment has been securing funding for affordable housing projects and social services in my district. Seeing families move into safe, stable homes, knowing that our efforts have directly impacted their lives for the better, fills me with immense pride. It’s a testament to the power of community advocacy and the importance of fighting for equitable resources for all. This achievement reaffirms my commitment to serving my constituents and improving our neighborhoods.

Carmen De La Rosa, who emigrated from the Dominican Republic and grew up in Inwood, was elected as the State Assembly Member of the 72nd District in 2016. As a progressive Democrat, she has championed criminal justice reform, workers’ rights, affordable housing, climate justice, and LGBTIA rights. In 2021, Carmen won the Democratic primary and the general election, making history as the first Dominican woman elected to represent District 10 at City Hall.

If you could give your younger self advice, what would it be?
I would tell my younger self to listen more closely to my mother. Her wisdom and experiences are invaluable. As the mother of a 10-year-old, her insights can guide you significantly. Embrace her advice and trust her perspective, as it comes from a place of deep experience and love. Her lessons can provide a profound understanding and help you make better choices, aiding your growth and success.

How has your heritage shaped the person you are today?
As a Latina, my heritage has deeply shaped who I am. Representing a predominantly Dominican and Latino community is an honor and privilege. My cultural connection helps me relate to and empathize with the struggles of both past and present generations. Understanding our customs and culture allows me to connect more profoundly with the experiences of those I represent. This insight enables me to advocate effectively and support my community with genuine empathy and dedication.

What is the proudest moment of your career so far?
The proudest moment of my career has been having my daughter with me every time I was sworn into office, whether at the State Assembly or City Council. It’s a profound privilege to show her the importance of public service and to break barriers for women of color. Sharing these moments with her symbolizes the progress we’ve made and reinforces the values of leadership and perseverance that I hope to pass on to her.

Melissa DeLeon is the senior vice president and human resources director at Ponce Bank, where she shapes and executes HR initiatives aligned with the bank’s business goals. Her leadership drives employee engagement, talent management, and strategic workforce planning, ensuring HR practices support Ponce Bank’s mission and enhance its competitive positioning. Committed to fostering a high-performance culture, Ms. DeLeon focuses on creating a growth-oriented work environment. Since joining in 2015, she has advanced through key HR roles, showcasing her strategic impact.

If you could give your younger self advice, what would it be?
If I could give my younger self advice, it would be to embrace every opportunity for growth and learning. Don’t be afraid to take risks, seek out mentors, and trust that each experience, even setbacks, contributes to your personal and professional development.

How has your heritage shaped the person you are today? 
My heritage, including my identity as a Latina, has profoundly shaped who I am today. Growing up as a minority has instilled in me a deep sense of resilience, cultural pride, and an appreciation for diversity. These experiences have not only influenced my approach to overcoming challenges but also strengthened my commitment to fostering inclusive and supportive environments in both my personal and professional life.

What is the proudest moment of your career so far?
My proudest moments aren’t limited to a single event but include several significant achievements over the years. With the support of an incredible team, I’ve led various organizational initiatives that have greatly improved employee engagement and operational effectiveness. Witnessing the positive impact of these efforts is profoundly fulfilling, and I deeply value the opportunity to make such a meaningful difference in our organization.

Antonio Delgado was appointed lieutenant governor of New York State by Governor Kathy Hochul in May 2022. Lieutenant Governor Delgado is a graduate of Colgate University and Harvard Law School and previously represented New York’s 19th Congressional district. He  was the first person of color to represent upstate New York in Congress. While there, he focused on improving the lives of New Yorkers, working with local, state, and federal partners to get results.

Dr. Fernando Delgado, the fourth president of Lehman College serving since July 1, 2021, brings over 20 years of public college administrative experience. Previously, he was the executive vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Minnesota, Duluth, and held key roles at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and Minnesota State University. A son of immigrants and first-generation college student, Dr. Delgado is a scholar in Latinx identity and intercultural communication, actively engaged with ACE, AASCU, and APLGU.

Ruben Diaz, Jr. joined Montefiore in 2022, after serving as Bronx borough president from 2009-2021. Previously, he was a member of the New York State Assembly from 1997-2009. Through his leadership, Mr. Diaz generated $27 billion in private investments and secured 55,000 housing units in the Bronx. He holds degrees from Lehman College and LaGuardia Community College and has received honorary doctoral degrees from Berkeley College, Mercy College, and Metropolitan College of New York.

How has your heritage shaped the person you are today?
My Heritage has shaped EVERYTHING that I am today!!!!!! That includes how I speak, what I eat, how I think, what I prioritize and my morals and values. It all comes from the people that raised me: papi, mami, abuelita, the block!

What is the proudest moment of your career so far?

1. Building thousands of units of housing
2. Building the Hip Hop Museum
3. Getting funding for the four Metro North stations
4. Getting the funding for the Bruckner Sheridan Interchange
5. Getting funding for Orchard Beach Pavilion
6. Relief efforts for the Island of Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maris

Assembly Member Erik Dilan is currently serving in his fourth term in the New York State Assembly, serving the people of the 54th district. The district covers parts of Bedford Stuyvesant, Bushwick, Cypress-Hills and East New York. Prior to his election to the State Assembly, Erik was elected to and served for 12 years in the New York City Council.

Rep. Adriano Espaillat represents New York’s 13th congressional district that includes Harlem, East Harlem, West Harlem, Hamilton Heights, Washington Heights, Inwood, Marble Hill, and the north-west Bronx. Rep. Espaillat is a member of the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations and ranking member of the committee’s legislative branch subcommittee. He also serves on the House Budget Committee, is deputy chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) and chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI).

If you could give your younger self advice, what would it be?
If I could give my younger self advice, it would be to study hard and never give up. Through hard work, dedication, and perseverance, anything is possible.

How has your heritage shaped the person you are today?
I am incredibly proud of my Dominican heritage, and I am inspired by our growing influence and outstanding contributions Dominican Americans continue to make to New York City and around the nation. These experiences, along with the morals my mother instilled in me, shaped the public servant I am today.

What is the proudest moment of your career so far?
I am honored to serve a community where I grew up and to represent them in the highest level of government in our nation. I am proud to be the first formerly undocumented member of Congress and the first Dominican American member of Congress. I am proud of the ongoing efforts to deliver nutrition, housing, education and economic opportunities and relief for my constituents and all who call New York’s 13th congressional district home.

Rafael Espinal is a former New York State Assembly member and NYC Council member, known for his progressive leadership in advocating for workers’ rights. He currently serves as the president of the Freelancers Union, where he champions the needs of independent workers, fighting for fair wages, benefits, and protections. Espinal’s dedication to improving labor conditions has made him a prominent voice in advancing the rights of freelancers across the United States.

If you could give your younger self advice, what would it be?
Stay focused on your goals and avoid being discouraged. Hard work and patience ultimately pay off.

How has your heritage shaped the person you are today?
Growing up with Dominican immigrant parents, I saw firsthand how union jobs, affordable rent, and homeownership were crucial for sustaining a family and achieving the middle class. The opportunities my parents had in the ’70s and ’80s, combined with hard work, shaped their success. This experience fuels my passion to fight for similar opportunities for all New Yorkers, ensuring everyone can access the same pathways to stability and prosperity.

What is the proudest moment of your career so far?
My proudest moment was as a NYC Council Member, where I delivered historic investments to the communities I represented in Brooklyn. In 2016, through the East New York Neighborhood Plan, over $250 million was allocated to Cypress Hills and East New York. These funds were crucial in improving decades of crumbling infrastructure, the need to create jobs, and developing affordable housing, making a lasting impact on the communities I grew up in.

Majority Leader Amanda Farías represents the 18th District in the Southeast, where she herself was born and raised. Farías is a second-generation Afro-Latina of Puerto Rican and Dominican descent and a proud product of local schools and institutions. She also serves as the Chair of the Committee on Economic Development. During her tenure, she has passed legislation to support industrial business zones, ensure discounted NYC ferry tickets, create revenue for rideshare drivers, and more.