Special Cafecito: Talita Ramos Erickson at the HACE Annual Summit

Special Cafecito: Talita Ramos Erickson at the HACE Annual Summit

Bienvenidos to Cafecito Con HACE, hosted by The Chingona Chair. At the 2026 HACE Summit, our host sat down with Talita Ramos Erickson, Head of Legal Operations and Chief of Staff at McDonald’s. From navigating leadership as an immigrant in environments where few people reflected her identity, to leading at the center of complex, high-stakes decision-making, Talita shares a powerful perspective on what it really takes to influence without always being the loudest voice in the room. A short but powerful conversation about leading with authenticity, building trust in relationship-driven cultures, and redefining success in a way that creates impact—both inside the organization and beyond it.

Special Cafecito: Ashleigh Lyons Marable at the HACE Annual Summit

Bienvenidos to Cafecito Con HACE, hosted by The Chingona Chair. At the 2026 HACE Summit, our cohost, Alex Garza, sat down with Ashleigh Lyons Marable, VP of Inclusion Strategies at Fifth Third Bank. From recognizing early gaps in workplace inclusion to building a career across industries dedicated to driving change, Ashleigh shares a powerful perspective on what it means to break barriers, focusing not just on identity, but on pushing past whatever ceiling is in front of you. A short but impactful conversation about leading with courage, knowing when to say yes, and when to say no, and why having a voice at the table only matters if you use it to create real impact.

Special Cafecito: Natasha Miller Williams at the HACE Annual Summit

Bienvenidos to Cafecito con HACE, hosted by The Chingona Chair. At HACE's Annual Summit, our co-host Diana Leza Sheehan sat down with Natasha Miller Williams, VP of Talent Management, Culture, and Learning at Ferrera, for a candid conversation on career growth, visibility, and the evolving definition of leadership. In this conversation, Natasha reflects on her journey from data analyst to senior HR leader, sharing how her perspective on growth has shifted from chasing titles to intentionally deepening skills and expertise. She explores why this mindset shift is especially critical as AI and digitalization continue to reshape the future of work. From the power of access and visibility to the distinct, and often misunderstood, roles of mentorship and sponsorship, Natasha offers an honest look at the systemic barriers that can hold talented people back, and what leaders can do to dismantle them. She also challenges organizations to move beyond subjective signals like "gravitas" and focus on the concrete capabilities that actually drive success. A thought-provoking conversation about leading from wherever you are, building the muscle of influence, and why the best leaders are unafraid to tell someone they're ready, even before that person believes it themselves.

Special Cafecito: Holly Sales-Milanese at the HACE Annual Summit

Bienvenidos to Cafecito con HACE, hosted by The Chingona Chair. At HACE’s Annual Summit, our host Alex Garza sat down with Holly Sales-Milanese, Director of Consumer Banking Talent & Development at Ally Financial, for an inspiring conversation on career growth, courage, and authenticity. In this conversation, Holly shares her non-linear career journey across multiple industries and reflects on the pivotal moments that challenged her to embrace change, even when it meant walking away from long-held plans. She explores how the definition of talent is evolving, highlighting the growing importance of agility, continuous learning, and openness to new experiences in today’s workplace. From redefining cultural expectations around success to the importance of vulnerability in leadership, Holly offers a deeply personal perspective on what it takes to grow with intention. She also shares practical advice for early-career professionals on building meaningful relationships, finding mentors and sponsors, and knowing when to say “no” in order to stay aligned with your purpose. A powerful conversation about leaning into your authenticity, embracing discomfort as part of growth, and why community and connection are essential to unlocking your full potential.

Special Cafecito: Dr. Robert Rodriguez at the HACE Annual Summit

Bienvenidos to Cafecito Con HACE, hosted by The Chingona Chair. At HACE’s annual conference, our co-host Diana Sheehan sat down with Dr. Robert Rodriguez, Founder & President of DRR Advisors and a leading voice in advancing Latino leadership. In this conversation, Robert shares insights from over two decades of research and experience, exploring where organizations still fall short—and what it really takes to build effective pathways for Latino talent. From the importance of culturally grounded leadership development to the critical difference between mentorship and sponsorship, he offers a practical and deeply personal perspective on what drives advancement. A powerful conversation about embracing your identidad, leveraging community as a strength, and why investing in Latino talent isn’t just important—it’s essential for the future of leadership.