Latino Power Players

Prisca Salazar-Rodriguez is a partner at Bolton-St. Johns with 30 years of experience in government. Before BSJ, she was at Hilltop Public Solutions, and previously, as the director of executive operations and scheduling for the Mayor of NYC and Chairman of ESDC.  Prisca began her career in the 90’s at the Bronx Borough President’s office where she served three borough presidents during 22 years there. Prisca is known for her common sense and practical style. 

If you could give your younger self advice, what would it be?
I would tell my younger self to work harder, to know your value, and to live your life guided by purpose. I would tell my younger self to give back more because life is about the daily little investments we make in others that will matter in the end. I think of it as the 401k for a meaningful purposeful life.

How has your heritage shaped the person you are today?
My upbringing was filled with knowing and understanding my heritage and being proud of the sacrifices that my grandparents and parents made that allowed me to do better than them.  My heritage walks with me everywhere I go and this “orgullo” pride has made me stand tall and work harder.

What is the proudest moment of your career so far?
The proudest moment in my career has been having my children tell me that they are proud of me because everything that I do, I do for their tomorrows.

Pierina Sanchez is an Afro-Dominicana born and raised in the Bronx. Her family’s hard work – selling oranges, driving taxis, and cleaning – instilled in her the value of perseverance. A proud alumna of Bronx public schools, attended Harvard University and she earned a master’s in public affairs from Princeton. Proudly representing the 14th Council District, Pierina’s career in public service has focused on immigrant families, racial justice, affordable housing, and investments in community welfare.

If you could give your younger self advice, what would it be?
Keep putting your best foot forward, you’re doing great.

How has your heritage shaped the person you are today?
I am an Afro-Dominicana, daughter of immigrants, raised in the Bronx, where my family worked hard to provide for me and my brothers. Watching my elders sell oranges, drive taxis, and clean buildings taught me the value of hard work. My heritage fuels my work ethic and inspires my commitment to collective action. I’m humbled by my family’s dedication and am motivated to serve my district in every possible way.

What is the proudest moment of your career so far?
After knocking on thousands of doors with my family and volunteers, facing doubts about my age and optimism, my proudest moment came on June 22, 2021. Watching the news with my mother, we celebrated our victory in the Council race. The tears on her face, along with those of my aunts and cousins who have endured so much, reassured me that the journey ahead would be worthwhile.

Juan is National Grid’s external affairs manager for Queens, responsible for establishing and maintaining relationships with community leaders, officials and nonprofit organizations. He has received various awards and recognitions throughout his career for his outstanding service and dedication to the community. He is committed to making a lasting difference, mentoring young people especially in STEM and energy careers. Juan proudly served in the U.S. Navy with honors and distinction.

What is the proudest moment of your career so far?
My proudest moment would be the month I spent in Puerto Rico serving as part of National Grid’s team providing mutual assistance to help restore power to the communities devastated by Hurricane Maria which left the island without power for months. The support work that my detail provided allowed our ground crews to focus on restoring service for thousands of homes that were impacted. We didn’t stop with the restoration effort; we identified a need to make a lasting difference. We partnered with a local high school in Puerto Rico with a student engagement project, inspiring students in STEM skills. Having both parents born and raised in Puerto Rico and still having family on the island, it was a unique opportunity for me to help all of my fellow Boriqua brothers and sisters.

State Senator Luis R. Sepúlveda, representing the 32nd Senate District in the Bronx, has been a leading advocate for criminal justice reform, housing rights, and immigrant protections. Elected to the Senate in 2018 after serving in the State Assembly since 2012, he was instrumental in passing the Green Light Law, granting driver’s license access to undocumented immigrants. Sepulveda also champions affordable housing and police reform, reflecting his dedication to building safer, more equitable communities.

How has your heritage shaped the person you are today?
My Puerto Rican and Dominican heritage has deeply influenced my values and leadership. Growing up in an immigrant family, I experienced firsthand the challenges faced by marginalized communities, instilling in me a strong sense of responsibility to uplift others. My cultural background has driven my passion for defending immigrant rights, advocating for social justice, and ensuring that underrepresented voices are heard in government.

What is the proudest moment of your career so far?
One of my proudest achievements was passing the Green Light Law in 2019, which restored driver’s license access for undocumented immigrants in New York. This landmark law improved road safety while providing immigrants with greater mobility and economic opportunities. It reflects my commitment to immigrant rights and inclusivity. Additionally, I take great pride in strengthening the connection between New York and the Dominican Republic, fostering cultural and economic ties that benefit both communities.

New York State Senator José M. Serrano, a lifelong South Bronx resident, represents the 29th Senate District, which covers neighborhoods in the Bronx and Manhattan. He is the chair of the Senate Majority Conference and is the chair of the Senate Committee on Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation. He was elected to the New York State Senate in 2004, and prior to that he served three years in the New York City Council.

If you could give your younger self advice, what would it be?
Building coalitions around important, but difficult issues can bring out the best in people, encouraging new ideas, while creating the best outcomes for the community.

How has your heritage shaped the person you are today?
As a proud Puerto Rican from the South Bronx, my heritage has taught me a rich historical lesson of culture and diaspora, of hard work and profound challenges. It has fostered a deeper sense of empathy for all who come to New York to seek a better life but are met with barriers. My heritage strengthens my resolve to fight for social and environmental justice for all who call this community home.

What is the proudest moment of your career so far?
As a strong believer in nature and the arts as powerful and meaningful tools for our society, I am proud to serve as chair of the Senate Committee on Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation. This position allows me, together with my colleagues in the legislature, to work toward better policy that reflects our understanding of the important and profound role the arts and our parks play in our society.

Alana is an influential criminal justice advocate with a background in government, media, and legal practice. She has served as a City Council attorney, a political analyst, and a public defender. Currently, she leads NY criminal justice campaigns at FWD.us. Her 2022 Assembly run marked a significant step into electoral politics and paved the way for her role as co-president of CODA, a leading progressive political club on the Lower East Side.

If you could give your younger self advice, what would it be?
I’d tell my younger self to stay curious and be open to new professional experiences, even if they seem unrelated. My journey from working as a public defender, to briefly working in media, and now working in advocacy taught me the value of keeping an open mind and exploring diverse paths. Each experience enriched my perspective and skill set in unexpected ways.

How has your heritage shaped the person you are today?
My mother’s Puerto Rican roots gave me a strong connection to the island and its people. I’m inspired by how Boricuas, locally and in the diaspora, remain hopeful despite colonialism. For instance, after Governor Rosselló mocked Hurricane Maria’s victims, we responded with vibrant protests full of music and art, ultimately leading to his ouster. This joyful resilience embodies Mariame Kaba’s belief that “hope is a discipline,” a principle I strive to embody in my activism.

What is the proudest moment of your career so far?
When bail reform was under attack for a third time, I was proud to fight against rollbacks – both in Albany and in the media. In preparation for that fight and in response to widespread misinformation in my community,  I wrote the first-ever Spanish-language report analyzing the way that the media – both Spanish and English-language – falsely linked bail reform to rises in crime when the data showed that the opposite was true.

Born in the Republic of Panama, Lupe’s first-hand knowledge and understanding of many of the social issues affecting immigrant populations has helped her shape and implement winning communications campaigns for numerous candidates. Lupe was communications director for the successful campaigns of Democratic House Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Lupe served as a senior communications advisor to the re-election campaign of Gov. Kathy Hochul and currently serves as a media consultant for the National Urban League. 

If you could give your younger self advice, what would it be?
Always love yourself more.

How has your heritage shaped the person you are today?
As an immigrant child growing up in Boston, I did not meet many Panamanians and most of my Latino friends were Dominican. My skin was darker, and I did not have a Latino surname. My parents made sure that I knew about the wonderful cultural mix of my heritage – Jamaican, Bajan, St. Lucian, Crucian, and even Jewish. This has made me more culturally aware of social issues that affect voters on campaigns.

What is the proudest moment of your career so far?
Watching Leader Jeffries continue to ascend in his political career. I’m not a betting person, but I am proud that I went all in with him 25 years ago.

Marcos Torres is a senior managing director at RBC Capital Markets (RBC) and head of the firm’s U.S. communications, media and entertainment investment banking business. Mr. Torres started his investment banking career at J.P. Morgan over 20 years ago, and joined RBC in 2012.

U.S. Representative Ritchie Torres is a fighter and trailblazer from the Bronx who has spent his entire life working for the community he calls home. In 2013, at the age of 25, Ritchie became New York City’s youngest elected official and the first openly LBGTQI+ person elected to office in the Bronx. Today, he serves as congressman for New York’s 15 Congressional District and is the first openly gay Afro-Latino member of Congress.

Luis A. Vazquez is a prominent leader with a degree in criminal justice and extensive experience in community service, and government. As president and CEO of the Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Health, he champions health equity and economic development for minority underserved communities. Vazquez has economic development for minority underserved communities. He has held various leadership roles, coordinated disaster relief efforts, and earned numerous awards for his dedication to service and community advocacy.

If you could give your younger self advice, what would it be?
Never forget where you come from – stay true to your values and remember to keep your faith in the forefront of all that you do every day. It is important to do the right thing even through tough decisions, and always show compassion and understanding because you never know what someone is going through.

How has your heritage shaped the person you are today?
My family was very humble and we had the love for family that sustained us. By serving my community, I was able to learn about the different customs that exist in each of our 20 different Spanish-speaking countries. We are not monolithic. Our language and love for our families ties us together and I bring that compassion for others to serve my community every day.

What is the proudest moment of your career so far?
The proudest moment is the ability to give back to my community by connecting the dots to services that they would otherwise not have access to.