Our LVCC Staff
Our Hard Working Executive Team
Jennifer Aguilar
Jennifer Aguilar
Jennifer Aguilar is the Executive Director of the Little Village Chamber of Commerce, whose mission is to promote and support the growth and success of businesses in Little Village and to leverage the community’s unique cultural identity to generate new opportunities. Jennifer oversees the overall planning, coordination and execution of all Little Village Chamber of Commerce and Little Village Special Service Area #25 staff, operations, programs, projects, and services.
Jennifer has over ten years of experience successfully maintaining company brand image and reputation through public and private stakeholder relationship management and forward thinking. Previously, Jennifer held the role of Community Outreach Specialist at Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Network during six years, where she worked with underserved communities in Illinois and Northwest Indiana to spread the word about the importance of organ & tissue donation. Jennifer was also a Marketing Specialist for Hispanic Cheese Makers- Nuestro Queso during five years, where she managed promotional events and campaigns, and established the management process for private label clients. The experience she has gained throughout her career has allowed her to build her capacity as a leader and grow her knowledge of nonprofit management, business marketing, and strategic planning.
Jennifer was born and raised in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood, where she currently resides. Her biggest passion is giving back to her community though her work with the Little Village Chamber of Commerce. Jennifer previously served as board Secretary for the Little Village Chamber of Commerce, board director for the Foundation of Little Village, and board member of the Association of Multicultural Affairs in Transplantation.
Jennifer is also a founding member of DePaul University’s Latinx Alumni Chapter Committee. In 2022, Jennifer was selected by business publication Negocios Now as one of their "Los 26 de la 26" (The 26 of 26th Street) list of young leaders in the Little Village community.
Jennifer holds a bachelor’s degree in political science & history from DePaul University and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in public policy and strategic writing and advancement for nonprofits from DePaul University’s School of Public Service. Jennifer’s other passions include traveling, attending live music events, and exploring the city’s diverse culinary scene.
Blanca R. Soto
Blanca R. Soto
Chief Operating Office of the Little Village Chamber of Commerce.
Before her appointment, Blanca served as LVCC Managing Director for eight years and Executive Director for two years. Blanca has been instrumental in strengthening business and community relations while effectively executing the Chambers signature events, including one of the largest and most recognized Mexican Independence Day Parades in the nation.
In her role, Blanca has promoted the 26th street commercial corridor's economic development by supporting small business owners through the multiple stages of business development by offering workshops, training, access to capital, networking, and referrals.
She continuously works to promote the local shop ethos that drives the economic engine of Little Village. Blanca also guides the City of Chicago SSA 25 (Special Service Area #25) with their work to create and maintain a clean, attractive, and competitive commercial corridor by participating in public meetings and the SSA decision-making process.
As a Little Village resident and working with the Little Village Chamber of Commerce for a decade, it has cemented Blanca's roots deep within the community. Her years of service and dedication have strengthened relationships between residents and local business owners.
During her tenuere, Little Village Chamber of Commerce was recognized for its work and awarded the prestigious United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce 2018 Chamber of the Year Award.
Sarai Guerrero
Sarai Guerrero
Sarai is the Director of Events and Memberships at the Little Village Chamber of Commerce.
Sarai has a background in both assisting small businesses and event planning in the Chicago community after working at the Economic Strategies Development Center (ESDC) in Pilsen.
There she provided technical assistance to businesses owners providing support in marketing and grant applications during COVID-19. Just before joining the team at ESDC, she worked on strategy logistics, event-planning, and media relations at Jasculca/Terman & Associates Inc.
Sarai holds community close and has a passion for engaging and networking to carry on the LVCC mission and make a difference in the community.
She currently resides in the Chicago southwest area and enjoys spending her time with her big family and running through the city with her running club.
Olman Chaheine
Olman Chaheine
Olman Chaheine is a seasoned professional with over a decade of experience in outreach, volunteer management, and community development. He has successfully led initiatives to expand volunteer programs, foster community engagement, and build lasting relationships with stakeholders. Olman’s tenure at the Gift of Hope Organ and Tissue Donation Network highlights his ability to inspire, train, and manage diverse teams, as well as execute impactful outreach events. His expertise includes strategic planning, grassroots advocacy, and bilingual communication, making him a valuable bridge between organizations and the communities they serve. A lifelong learner, Olman combines empathy and strategic thinking to deliver exceptional results.
Veronica Peña
Veronica Peña
Veronica has joined the Little Village Chamber of Commerce management team, bringing a wealth of experience in supporting small businesses and business management within the Chicago community. Her previous role at Ladder Up saw her specializing in financial capability and tax assistance, as well as managing an outreach team to extend services to those in need. In 2023, Veronica was honored to participate in the Chicago Innovation Women's Mentoring Co-op, enhancing her networking and mentorship skills and contributing to her professional development.
She graduated in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in Technical Systems Management from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
A Chicago native, Veronica is deeply committed to positively impacting the Little Village Community.
In addition to her professional commitments, Veronica has a passion for travel, camping with friends, and gardening during the summer. These activities enrich her life and inspire a holistic and compassionate approach to her work in the community.
Business AdvisorsDe La Mano Program
Roberto Cornelio
Roberto Cornelio
Roberto Cornelio has more than thirty-seven years of professional experience including executive leadership positions in the public sector, a Fortune 25 corporation, one of the nation’s leading Hispanic business associations and as a strategic consultant to small businesses, business associations and community groups.
These roles have enabled him to achieve a recognized, extensive record of innovation and success. Roberto is a highly accomplished executive leader with extensive management experience in multiple areas including: program design and implementation; benchmarking; communications; corporate, community, and public relations; project coordination; grant writing, staff training and supervision; strategic planning; budgeting, financial analysis, and others. Roberto also has extensive experience engaging, developing relationships with and serving as liaison to prominent local and national corporate entities, government, elected officials and diverse community groups and institutions.
Roberto has been recognized as a thought leader in minority entrepreneurship; diversity and inclusion; job creation; economic development and community growth and empowerment.
Roberto has completed extensive executive training at two of the nation’s most prestigious academic institutions: the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and Dartmouth University’s Tuck School of Business, where he received high honors and cutting-edge leadership and strategic business training.
Juan Carlos Correa
Juan Carlos Correa
Juan Carlos is a highly accomplished Colombian-born graphic designer and proud US Cirizend with over 25 years of professional experience. Renowned for blending artistic vision with strategic design, Juan Carlos has become a key figure in the Hispanic creative industry, with deep expertise in serving the US Hispanic market, with multiple national awards in editorial and creative campaigns.
Over the course of a dynamic career, Juan Carlos founded and led a successful boutique graphic design agency for 12 years (Mandala Consulting / Juan Correa DBA), where they spearheaded a wide range of design solutions, from branding and print materials to digital media, helping businesses connect with the growing and diverse Hispanic audience. As a creative consultant, Juan Carlos worked closely with some of the nation's most prominent brands, including serving as a long-term consultant for the one of largest Hispanic cheese makers in the US, where they crafted award-winning campaigns and materials that resonated deeply with Hispanic consumers.
Additionally, Juan Carlos held the role of National Director of Print and Production for HYPA, where they managed large-scale projects, streamlined production processes, and worked to elevate the brand’s visual identity across a variety of platforms. Their work as a graphic designer for several of the largest Hispanic newspapers in the US further solidified their reputation, with innovative designs that captured the essence of Hispanic culture and communication.
Passionate about the intersection of culture, design, and strategy, Juan Carlos has cultivated a reputation for delivering visually impactful and culturally relevant designs that drive engagement and brand loyalty. With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the Hispanic community's diverse needs, Juan Carlos continues to push the boundaries of creative design, bringing a unique perspective to every project.
Whether as a consultant, creative director, or hands-on designer, Juan Carlos has consistently delivered high-quality work that speaks to the heart of the Hispanic market, combining years of expertise with a true passion for design.
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