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, where she advances equitable economic development, small business advocacy, and community-driven investment in one of Chicago’s largest and most vibrant commercial corridors. She leads the strategic direction and operations of the Chamber and Little Village Special Service Area #25, working in partnership with local businesses, residents, and public agencies to strengthen community power and economic opportunity.
Jennifer brings an on-the-ground economic perspective shaped by her leadership of the second-largest commercial corridor in the city, where immigration enforcement activity directly affects small businesses, workers, families, and neighborhood stability. Her work centers on supporting immigrant-owned enterprises and community institutions as they respond to policy pressures that influence workforce participation, consumer activity, and local economic resilience.
Over the past several years, Jennifer has emerged as a respected community leader and advocate. In 2024, she graduated from the Chicago Latino Caucus Foundation Leadership Academy. In 2025, she was honored with the Negocios Now 40 Under 40 Award and the Cook County Unsung Heroine Award, recognizing her leadership, service, and community impact. In 2022, she was named one of Negocios Now’s “Los 26 de la 26” young leaders shaping the future of Little Village.
Jennifer serves on the board of directors of the Illinois Transplant Fund and is a member of the Alumni Advisory Council for DePaul University’s School of Public Service, as well as a founding member of DePaul University’s Latinx Alumni Chapter Committee.
Born and raised in Little Village, Jennifer continues to live and work in the community she serves. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and history and a master’s degree in public policy from DePaul University, along with a certification in strategic writing and advancement for nonprofits.
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.
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.
Alfredo Palafox
Alfredo Palafox
Alfredo Palafox was born in Mexico and raised in Chicago. He grew up in the city’s Little Village neighborhood and is proud to be a product of Chicago Public Schools, attending McCormick Elementary School and Madero Middle School in La Villita.
Alfredo brings over six years of experience in nonprofit community engagement and relationship building, working with stakeholders across the city, county, state, and federal levels. His work has focused on building strong relationships with community members throughout Chicago’s Southwest Side to support initiatives that improve quality of life in their neighborhoods. Through his organizing experience, Alfredo has practiced building both public and private relationships with diverse community leaders across racial, ethnic, generational, and faith-based backgrounds to take collective action.
Alfredo graduated with an associate degree from Morton College in 2016 and went on to become the first in his family to earn a bachelor’s degree, graduating from Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU) in 2018. In the summer of 2024, he earned his Master of Business Administration (MBA) from National Louis University (NLU).
He is also a dedicated Chicago sports fan who supports the Chicago White Sox and the Chicago Bears, and he enjoys watching movies in his free time.
Paola Rodriguez
Paola Rodriguez
Paola graduated from Franklin & Marshall College in May 2024 with a degree in Business and a minor in Chinese Culture, and I’m passionate about supporting opportunities for underrepresented communities.
In her previous experience includes internships with Lancaster Downtowners and Attollo Prep, where she worked on outreach, mentorship, and community programs. Prior to joining the Chamber, She worked as a school clerk at George Rogers Clark Elementary School, where I supported daily operations and helped connect students, families, and staff. As a Chicago native, Mrs Rodriguez is excited to support local businesses and contribute to the growth of the Little Village 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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