#LatinChamber

Sara Hand, CEO/Partner and a visionary leader in business and organizational
innovation strategy, serves as Executive Director at Station 2 Innovation, where
she is instrumental in implementing programming, networking, and educational initiatives.

Her extensive background in both public and private sectors, enriched with early-stage investment experience, exemplifes her moto: “Think Big. Keep it
Simple. Make it Happen.”

Using Strategic Doing, Sara excels in driving action-focused agendas for complex problem solving.

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As a board chapter member of TiE Tampa Bay and Strategic Business Board Advisor for the Gulf Coast Latin Chamber of Commerce, she further extends her infuence, fostering entrepreneurial spirit and community development. Her role in founding the 3.0 Leaders Conference and her participation in signifcant global and community partnerships underscore her commitment to creating synergistic relationships and innovative solutions for maximum impact. Sara’s community and connectivity eforts are highlighted through her involvement with Station 2 Innovation, DaVinci’s Faire & BarCamp, and the annual 3.0 Leaders Conference, where she curates gatherings of "cool people" contributing to growth and innovation.

Karen Felder is a dynamic business owner and expert speaker with extensive experience in government contracting and business management. As the Chief Executive Officer and a seasoned consultant, Karen excels in problem-resolution, creating corporations, and organizing meetings with shareholders. Her skills in forecasting future business growth and profits, along with her expertise in recruiting, risk assessment, and risk management, make her a valuable asset in the business community.

Karen is also recognized for her significant contributions to women-owned and small businesses. With a background as a former educator and Child Protective Services Investigator, she brings a unique perspective to her role in business and community service. Her commitment to excellence is further demonstrated by her CAGE CODE 910Q9,

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highlighting her capabilities in governmental contracts.

Karen is the founder of [We Flip Houses 1969](https://www.wefliphouses1969.com/about-2), a company dedicated to transforming properties and empowering communities through real estate. Her leadership and vision have driven the company's success and reputation for excellence.

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In addition to her business ventures, Karen is a sought-after speaker who shares her knowledge and experiences on various topics, including team building and strategic planning. Her ability to inspire and motivate others makes her a respected voice in the industry.

Karen Felder's comprehensive understanding of business operations, combined with her practical experience and dedication to fostering growth, positions her as a leader and innovator in her field.

Zahira is a serial entrepreneur with over 26 years of Management, Sales, and Business experience.
She is the President/Managing Director of 2Fish International Inc; a Real Estate Holding Company and Yaqeen LLC DBA Planet Smoothie.
Her passion is to find businesses that require brand awareness, the restructuring of expenses, increases in revenue, company benefits, and improved management culture. She has a history of making the company profitable for an acquisition within 24 to 36 months. Yaqeen LLC l is certified as both Disadvantage Minority/Disadvantage Woman Business Enterprise, as well as Small Business Enterprise (DM/DWBE/SBE).
Zahira is on the Board of Directors and an Ambassador of South Tampa Chamber of Commerce, on the Board of Directors with Propeller Club – Port of Tampa and on the Board of Directors for TIECON -Tampa. She is on the Executive Committee for the Indo-US Chamber of Commerce. She is also a member of Woman in Leadership with Cindy Stuart, a member of Visit Tampa Bay, Working Women of Tampa Bay, and many others. Her company plays a vital role in the community by hosting various charity events.
Zahira relocated to beautiful Tampa Bay from Ohio and has lived here for the past 11 years. She is a proud mother of a beautiful and talented 21-year-old daughter. Zahira loves to travel internationally and spend quality time with her family.

Dr. Fawn T. Ngo is an Associate Professor of Criminology at the University of South Florida (USF) and the Director of the Cybercrime Prevention and Reporting for the Limited English Proficiency Population (CPR4LEPP). She holds a B.A. in Criminology, Law and Society from the University of California at Irvine, an M.S. in Criminal Justice from California State University at Long Beach, and a Ph.D. in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the University of Maryland.

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Dr. Ngo has authored over 50 journal articles, book chapters, and reports on topics such as online and offline victimization, the effectiveness of criminal justice interventions, and the use of machine-learning techniques in criminology. Her professional experience includes working as a Research Associate at the Westminster Police Department in California and serving on evaluation teams for various criminal justice projects.

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She is also an Associate Editor for Victims & Offenders and serves on the editorial boards of several criminology journals. Additionally, Dr. Ngo is a member of the United Nations' Communication Coordination Committee and an advisor to Purdue University's Tourist Harassment Research Unit. Her current work focuses on addressing the digital divide and empowering internet users with limited English proficiency to fully participate in the digital economy.

Ivonne Almanza Henry, an artist and cultural manager, is a Colombian resident of Sarasota for 16 years. She studied Fine Arts in Colombia, Curatorial Studies in Berlin, and Cultural Promotion in Mexico, and holds a Master's degree in Interior Design from Spain.

She is the co-owner of Raíz Galería and co-founder of Fronterizas Colectivo and Red Seed Studios. Through these initiatives, she empowers women to create through art, fostering a sense of community and collaboration. Ivonne believes it is essential for women to come together, share their experiences, and create art collectively, as this not only enhances their individual creativity but also strengthens their voices and impact within the broader artistic and cultural landscape.

As an artist, curator, and cultural promoter, she uses art as a catalyst for change. As the City Director of Perpignan in the Sarasota Sister Cities Association, she strengthens cultural ties and promotes international understanding through cultural exchanges and educational collaborations.

Paula Forero, a native of Colombia, exemplifies what it means to be a Woman Who Builds through her remarkable journey from a celebrated soccer player to a highly successful corporate leader. Initially gaining recognition as a distinguished athlete, Paula represented Colombia in three World Cups and triumphed in three Copa América tournaments. Transitioning from the soccer field to the corporate world, she began her career in the financial industry as a life and health insurance agent. Her determination and hard work saw her rise to become the Vice President of Sales for the Hispanic market at Panamerican Life Insurance.

Currently, Paula serves as the Vice President of Sales and Marketing at American Amicable, where she leads the training and coaching of over 30,000 agents nationwide. Her results-oriented approach and strategic vision have enabled her to manage costs, establish beneficial partnerships, and build high-performance teams by hiring, developing, and motivating skilled professionals.

Beyond her corporate achievements, Paula is a certified speaker, coach, and trainer with the John Maxwell Team. She is dedicated to empowering individuals across the United States to excel in their personal and professional lives. Her involvement extends to supporting the Latin Chamber family during the pandemic, where she devoted her time to conducting soccer clinics and recreational activities for children, highlighting her role as a health and sports advocate for the Chamber.

Paula's participation in platforms like the Women Economic Forum in Atlanta showcases her commitment to promoting women's empowerment. Her ability to create strategic alliances with organizational leaders and align with key business initiatives has significantly impacted the Hispanic market. 

Paula Forero is a Woman Who Builds not only because of her impressive corporate accomplishments but also due to her unwavering dedication to community empowerment and development. Her multifaceted contributions as a leader, mentor, and advocate for health and sports make her a true builder of a better and more inclusive society.

Adi Salas Bellorín is a Venezuelan journalist with over 20 years of experience, specializing in television and digital media across Venezuela, Colombia, and the United States. In addition to her journalism career, Adi has delved into the study of natural wellness and the connection between thoughts, emotions, and actions. As a mentor, she guides individuals to work from their strengths and lead their lives to their fullest potential.

Through her program “AsertivaMente: Vivir en Creesencia,” Adi shares tools for assertive communication, natural wellness, and leadership, emphasizing that successful leadership starts with self-management. She uses her drive, coherence, and authenticity with a real, reflective, and positive tone to inspire more people to be the captains of their own lives.

Recently, Adi has joined the Gulf Coast Latin Chamber as a backup co-host of "4 Real," bringing her extensive experience and knowledge to the team.

Fiorella Salazar Vega is a certified hypnotherapist and breathwork coach, known for her holistic approach and dedication to guiding women towards a more authentic and aligned life. Her unique background led her to specialize in advanced breathwork techniques, hypnotherapy, and somatic coaching, creating a safe and loving space for her clients.

Over the years, Fiorella has undergone transformative experiences that have shaped her professional and personal journey. From self-discovery and isolation to reconnecting with family and healing relationships, each stage has strengthened her commitment to authenticity and inner growth. Significant travels, spiritual retreats, and healing practices like holotropic breathing and Ayahuasca have been pivotal in her development. These experiences have helped her rediscover her feminine power and create a holistic approach to guide other women on their journeys of self-discovery and healing.

Fiorella's mission is to create a space where ambitious and independent women, often focused on action and control, can feel comfortable being vulnerable. By connecting with their feminine power, they learn to flow with their emotions and embrace vulnerability. Through hypnotherapy, breathwork coaching, and a holistic approach, Fiorella guides each woman towards self-love and healthy relationships, helping them flourish in all aspects of their lives.

Born to an American Father and Colombian mother, Kassandra Nealon attended Boston University and earned her B.S. in Human Physiology on the Pre-Medical Track in 2017.

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However, Kassandra’s career aspirations of becoming a physician were cut short when she was diagnosed with Acute T-cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia, at the age of 23. Upon completing chemotherapy, total body irradiation and a stem cell transplant, Kassandra felt propelled to turn her misfortunate into something that would benefit others.

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Kassandra has teamed up with her younger sister and stem cell donor, Sophia Nealon to create the child's tale, Bye Bye Bad Blood which explains Leukemia in a light-hearted manner that pediatric patients will understand.