Davenport University recently hosted Mujeres in Business: Breaking Barriers, an empowering networking event and panel discussion featuring a special group of entrepreneurs. The event was held at its W.A. Lettinga Grand Rapids Campus. 

Seven inspiring Latina business leaders featured in the book Mujeres in Business: Michigan Edition were the featured guests, sharing their entrepreneurial challenges and triumphs and answering questions from the audience. 

“This event celebrated these Latina entrepreneurs who have made a lasting impact in Michigan and beyond, and aligns with Casa Latina’s mission to uplift and support the growing influence of Latina leaders in our community,” said moderator Alejandra Guillén, director of marketing for Davenport’s innovative Casa Latina program.

Panelists Liza Alvarez, María Erazo, María Marquez, Isabel López Slattery, Nohemi Herrera, Alejandra Walters and María Fernanda Gómez shared personal stories about their entrepreneurial journeys, the barriers they’ve faced as Latinas, and the strategies they’ve used to stand out in competitive industries. Each emphasized the importance of investing in yourself, especially through education, and urged audience members not to wait for things to be perfect to start their own journeys.

Key takeaways for the students, faculty, community members and aspiring entrepreneurs who attended included:

• The need for more representation and funding for Latina-owned businesses.
• The value of mentorship and strong networks for women entrepreneurs.
• The importance of bilingual education and how being bicultural is a strength in business.
• Resilience, community, and self-belief are essential for breaking through systemic barriers.

Casa Latina embodies a unique approach to higher education, utilizing bilingual methodology across its curriculum to help students become experts in their chosen fields, and professionally proficient in both English and Spanish.