![\"Jennifer](\"https:\/\/littlevillagechamber.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb-plugin\/cache\/Jennifer_Aguilar_2023-square.jpg\" "\\"Jennifer_Aguilar_2023\\"")
\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\tJennifer Aguilar<\/strong> is the Executive Director of the Little Village Chamber of Commerce<\/strong>, 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<\/strong>, working in partnership with local businesses, residents, and public agencies to strengthen community power and economic opportunity.<\/p>\n Jennifer brings an on-the-ground economic perspective shaped by her leadership of the second-largest commercial corridor in the city<\/strong>, 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.<\/p>\n 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”<\/em> young leaders shaping the future of Little Village.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCont\u00e1cteme\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t Oficina Jefa de Operaciones de la C\u00e1mara de Comercio de La Villita.<\/p>\n Antes de su nombramiento, Blanca se desempe\u00f1\u00f3 como Directora General de LVCC durante ocho a\u00f1os y Directora Ejecutiva durante dos a\u00f1os. Blanca ha desempe\u00f1ado un papel decisivo en el fortalecimiento de las relaciones comerciales y comunitarias y, al mismo tiempo, ha ejecutado eficazmente los eventos emblem\u00e1ticos de la C\u00e1mara, incluido uno de los Desfiles del D\u00eda de la Independencia de M\u00e9xico m\u00e1s grandes y reconocidos en la naci\u00f3n.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Trabaja continuamente para promover el esp\u00edritu de las tiendas locales que impulsa el motor econ\u00f3mico de La Villita. Blanca tambi\u00e9n gu\u00eda a la Ciudad de Chicago SSA 25 (\u00c1rea de Servicio Especial #25) en su trabajo para crear y mantener un corredor comercial limpio, atractivo y competitivo al participar en reuniones p\u00fablicas y en el proceso de toma de decisiones de la SSA.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Durante su mandato, la C\u00e1mara de Comercio de La Villita fue reconocida por su trabajo y recibi\u00f3 el prestigioso Premio C\u00e1mara del A\u00f1o 2018 de la C\u00e1mara de Comercio Hispana de los Estados Unidos.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCont\u00e1cteme\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t Veronica<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n Se gradu\u00f3 en 2019 con una Licenciatura en Ciencias en Gesti\u00f3n de Sistemas T\u00e9cnicos de la Universidad de Illinois en Urbana-Champaign.<\/p>\n Ver\u00f3nica, nativa de Chicago, est\u00e1 profundamente comprometida a impactar positivamente a la comunidad de La Villita.<\/p>\n Adem\u00e1s de sus compromisos profesionales, a Ver\u00f3nica le apasionan los viajes, acampar con amigos y la jardiner\u00eda durante el verano. Estas actividades enriquecen su vida e inspiran un enfoque hol\u00edstico y compasivo de su trabajo en la comunidad.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCont\u00e1cteme\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t Alfredo Palafox<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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).<\/p>\n Tambi\u00e9n es un fan\u00e1tico dedicado de los deportes de Chicago que apoya a los Chicago White Sox y a los Chicago Bears, y disfruta viendo pel\u00edculas en su tiempo libre.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCont\u00e1cteme\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t Paola es una graduada de Franklin & Marshall College<\/strong> desde Mayo del 2024 con un diploma en Negocios con especializaci\u00f3n en Cultura China<\/strong>, and I’m passionate about supporting opportunities for underrepresented communities.<\/p>\n En su experiencia previa se incluyen pasant\u00edas con Lancaster Downtowners<\/strong> y Attollo Prep<\/strong>donde trabaj\u00f3 en programas de divulgaci\u00f3n, mentor\u00eda y comunitarios. Antes de unirse a la C\u00e1mara, trabaj\u00f3 como secretaria escolar en George Rogers Clark Elementary School<\/strong>donde brindo apoyo en las operaciones diarias y ayud\u00e9 a conectar a estudiantes, familias y personal. Como oriunda de Chicago, la Srta. Rodr\u00edguez est\u00e1 entusiasmada por apoyar a los negocios locales y contribuir al crecimiento de la comunidad de La Villita<\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCont\u00e1cteme\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t Roberto Cornelio<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n Estos roles le han permitido alcanzar un reconocido y extenso historial de innovaci\u00f3n y \u00e9xito. Roberto es un l\u00edder ejecutivo altamente capacitado con una vasta experiencia en gesti\u00f3n en m\u00faltiples \u00e1reas, entre ellas: dise\u00f1o e implementaci\u00f3n de programas; evaluaci\u00f3n comparativa; comunicaciones; relaciones corporativas, comunitarias y p\u00fablicas; coordinaci\u00f3n de proyectos; redacci\u00f3n de solicitudes de subvenciones, capacitaci\u00f3n y supervisi\u00f3n del personal; planificaci\u00f3n estrat\u00e9gica; elaboraci\u00f3n de presupuestos, an\u00e1lisis financiero y otros. Roberto tambi\u00e9n tiene una vasta experiencia en la participaci\u00f3n, el desarrollo de relaciones y el servicio de enlace con importantes entidades corporativas locales y nacionales, el gobierno, funcionarios electos y diversos grupos e instituciones comunitarias.<\/p>\n Roberto ha sido reconocido como un l\u00edder que piensa en emprendimiento de minor\u00edas; diversidad e inclusi\u00f3n; creaci\u00f3n de empleo; desarrollo econ\u00f3mico y crecimiento y empoderamiento de la comunidad.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCont\u00e1cteme\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t Juan Carlos<\/strong> Juan Carlos es un dise\u00f1ador gr\u00e1fico colombiano de gran trayectoria y orgulloso ciudadano de los Estados Unidos con m\u00e1s de 25 a\u00f1os de experiencia profesional. Reconocido por combinar la visi\u00f3n art\u00edstica con el dise\u00f1o estrat\u00e9gico, se ha convertido en una figura clave en la industria creativa hispana, con una gran experiencia en el servicio al mercado hispano de los Estados Unidos y m\u00faltiples premios nacionales en campa\u00f1as editoriales y creativas.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n![\"Blanca](\"https:\/\/littlevillagechamber.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb-plugin\/cache\/Blanca-R.-Soto-3-square.jpg\" "\\"Blanca")
\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\tBlanca R. Soto<\/h4>Directora de Operaciones \t\t\t\t\t\n
\n\t\t\tBlanca R. Soto\t<\/h4>\n\t
![\"Veronica_PEna_Office_Manager\"](\"https:\/\/littlevillagechamber.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb-plugin\/cache\/Veronica_pena-square.jpg\" "\\"Veronica_pena\\"")
\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\tVeronica Pe\u00f1a<\/h4>Program Manager\t\t\t\t\t\n
\n\t\t\tVeronica Pe\u00f1a\t<\/h4>\n\t
![\"Alfredo_Palafox_500px\"](\"https:\/\/littlevillagechamber.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb-plugin\/cache\/Alfredo_Palafox_500px-square.jpg\" "\\"Alfredo_Palafox_500px\\"")
\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\tAlfredo Palafox<\/h4>Outreach & Membership Specialist\t\t\t\t\t\n
\n\t\t\tAlfredo Palafox\t<\/h4>\n\t
![\"Paola_Rodriguez_500px\"](\"https:\/\/littlevillagechamber.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb-plugin\/cache\/Paola_Rodriguez_500px-square.jpg\" "\\"Paola_Rodriguez_500px\\"")
\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\tPaola Rodriguez<\/h4>Administrative &\u0003Program Coordinator\t\t\t\t\t\n
\n\t\t\tPaola Rodriguez\t<\/h4>\n\t
Business AdvisorsDe La Mano Program<\/h2>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t
![\"Roberto_Cornelio_500px\"](\"https:\/\/littlevillagechamber.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb-plugin\/cache\/Roberto_Cornelio_500px-square.png\" "\\"Roberto_Cornelio_500px\\"")
\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\tRoberto Cornelio<\/h4>Business Advisor\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/a>\t\t\t\t \n
\n\t\t\tRoberto Cornelio\t<\/h4>\n\t
![\"Juan_Correa_500px\"](\"https:\/\/littlevillagechamber.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb-plugin\/cache\/Juan_Correa_500px-square.png\" "\\"Juan_Correa_500px\\"")
\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\tJuan Carlos Correa<\/h4>Marketing & Communications Consultant\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/a>\t\t\t\t \n
\n\t\t\tJuan Carlos Correa\t<\/h4>\n\t