Hosts
Originalmente de Guanajuato, México. Inspirada por su propia experiencia al crecer como inmigrante nuevo y pobre en Estados Unidos, Gabriela tiene una pasión y compromiso para ayudar a otros.
Desde que se mudó a Michigan y empezó a involucrarse en la comunidad veía la importancia de sus esfuerzos y eran momentos familiares para ella y sus hijas dar clases de liderazgo, salubridad y de comunicación a jóvenes y estudiantes.
Ahora de regreso a St. Louis, Gabriela a encontrando su voz ayudando a los dueños de pequeñas empresas a alcanzar sus sueños. Ella y su esposo son dueños de un restaurante Mexicano en O’Fallon, MO y se complacen en compartir la cultura Mexicana y sus platos favoritos con sus clientes.
Gabriela Ramirez-Arellano
She has been recognized as a thought leader in social innovation and entrepreneurship and was named one of the Top 100 people to know in St. Louis to succeed in business in 2017. In 2021 Gabriela was recognized as a Top Business Mentor and in 2023 she was recognized as a Woman of Achievement, Most Influential Woman in Business, Esperanza Award Recipient, Woman of Distinction, and a Woman Who Makes St. Louis Great. She has appeared on St. Louis Public Radio, featured in the STL101 Speaking Series and on various panels on food entrepreneurship, and was recognized as a Diversity Champion by the MO Department of Transportation and a Diversity and Inclusion Champion by the St. Louis Council of Construction Consumers. September 29th is officially recognized as Gabriela Ramirez-Arellano Day!
Gabriela sits on several boards and is trying to conquer her fear of networking and speaking in public. She is not a native St. Louisan but moved to the city in 2016 and hit the ground running. She spends her days helping small business owners reach their goals and enjoys walking and cuddling with her pups, Canek, Quetzalli, and Kari.
Gabriela holds a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from the University of Missouri - Columbia and a MBA from Lindenwood University. She and her husband own a Mexican restaurant and her grown children make her proud every day. Gabriela hosts the Auténtico Podcast with new episodes to empower and showcase bilingual Latinx professionals and small business owners, share their stories and lessons learned.
Alejandro Santiago Ortega es abogado extranjero y defensor comunitario. Ha trabajado para organizaciones sin fines de lucro y bufetes de abogados en muchas áreas, incluyendo bienes raíces, inmigración, mediación y contratos.
Alejandro recibió su J.D. de la Universidad Anáhuac en Oaxaca, México. Después de graduarse de la facultad de derecho, Alejandro hizo una maestría en derecho estadounidense en la Facultad de Derecho de California Western en San Diego, California. Alejandro ha trabajado para organizaciones sin fines de lucro y bufetes de abogados en muchas áreas, incluyendo bienes raíces, inmigración, mediación y contratos.
También es voluntario de varias organizaciones en la región de St. Louis, buscando crear un cambio significativo en la comunidad. Antes de regreasr a San Diego en 2023, Aejandro estaba comprometido con el avance del desarrollo económico para todos en la región y ahora usa sus conocimientos en su nuevo rol.
Junior Lara
Junior was born in the Dominican Republic. He moved to the US along with his mother and three brothers in 1994 and grew up in the Bronx, NY. In 2003 he moved to St Louis, MO in 2003 where he currently lives.
Junior is passionate about making human connections and has had the opportunity to be a coach and mentor in both personal and professional aspects of life.
He has served as president of a Corporate Toastmaster club where he had the opportunity to work alongside a group of talented individuals to improve their communication and leadership skills. Currently, Junior holds a Competent Communicator Certification from Toastmasters International. Junior is also fluent in English, Spanish and French.
Junior continues to invest in himself and his community. His desire to serve empowered him to connect with Gabriela to create Autentico, a podcast which looks to help Latino professionals navigate their professional lives and work through the challenges that come from Corporate America and Entrepreneurship. He hopes to continue to grow this online platform and with the help of Gabriela, continue to deliver problem solving tools and lessons learned by him, Gabriela and our amazing Latinx guests.
Vision
To create access to education and resources for bilingual Latinx small business owners and professionals, while forming strong partnerships which support and create community.
Mission
To empower and showcase bilingual Latinx professionals and small business owners by creating a platform in which to share our stories and lessons learned.
“Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.”
Alejandro Santiago Ortega
Alejandro Santiago Ortega is a foreign attorney and community advocate. He has worked for non-profits and law firms in many areas including real state, immigration, mediation, and contracts.
Alejandro received his J.D. from Universidad Anáhuac in Oaxaca, Mexico. After graduating law school, Alejandro did a Master’s Degree in U.S. Law at California Western School of Law in San Diego, California. Alejandro has worked for non-profits and law firms in many areas including real state, immigration, mediation, and contracts.
He also volunteers for several organizations in the St. Louis region, looking to create meaningful change in the community. Before moving back to San Diego in 2023, Alejandro was committed to advancing the economic development for all in the region and now uses his talents to move the needle in similar work in his new role.