• The series connects LDC’s groundbreaking economic and media data with real-world voices that demonstrate how Latinos are driving the U.S. economy and shaping America’s cultural mainstream.
• First episode features Fernanda Cortes, Latina entrepreneur and innovator. Upcoming guest includes “Ted Lasso” star Cristo Fernández.
• In this podcast, discover the leading voices of Latino perseverance, success, and empowerment that prove the outdated stereotypes.

Ana Valdez, President and CEO of the Latino Donor Collaborative (LDC), today announced the launch of Leaders on the Mic, a new podcast that amplifies her voice and perspective on Latino leadership in America. Produced under Elevate Latinos, a movement that spotlights the true economic and cultural impact of Latinos in the United States, the series brings together Latino leaders and influencers to share personal journeys, professional insights, and practical advice, grounded in the LDC’s fact-based data on the $4 trillion U.S. Latino economy. The podcast is available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other major platforms.

“Leaders on the Mic is about elevating the voices of Latinos who are shaping the new American mainstream, economically and culturally,” said Ana Valdez. “Our reports consistently prove that Latinos are sustaining U.S. growth, but the lived stories behind that data often go unnoticed due to the constant narrative out there based on outdated stereotypes. This podcast connects the numbers to real experiences, providing inspiration, knowledge, and proof of the power of Latinos today.”

The premiere episode features Fernanda Cortes, a Latina entrepreneur and cultural innovator, who reflects on breaking barriers and building opportunities. The second episode welcomes Cristo Fernández, an actor and filmmaker best known for his role as Danny Rojas on Apple TV’s global hit Ted Lasso, to discuss Latino representation in Hollywood and the broader lessons for industries where Latinos remain overlooked despite driving growth. The series also spotlights Christian Maldonado, an influential Latino creator and voice for the next generation, offering a perspective on how Latinos are reshaping culture and opportunity today.

Future episodes of Leaders on the Mic will also feature influential voices, including Frank Carbajal, founder of the Silicon Valley Latino Leadership Summit and EsTiempo LLC; Julie Craig, Vice President of Shopper Insights at Kantar; Jessica Byrd, Multicultural Marketing Senior Manager at IKEA; and Rick Telles, acclaimed producer of A Million Miles Away and other major hits. These guests bring perspectives from business, marketing, and media to show how Latinos are driving innovation and opportunity across industries.

About the Host

Ana Valdez has been recognized as one of the Top 50 Most Influential Latinas in the U.S., a CHANGEMAKER by ALPFA’s Fifty Most Powerful Latinas, and among the Top 100 Latino Leaders by Latino Leaders Magazine. As President and CEO of the Latino Donor Collaborative, she has been described as a “CEO of the year” voice shaping national conversations on Latino leadership and impact. With 25 years of experience in media, research, marketing, and communications, she has served on boards including SiTV, Southern California Public Radio (KPCC), American Public Media, and Minnesota Public Radio. Learn more about Leaders on the Mic here: https://www.elevatelatinos.com/podcast-1

About the Latino Donor Collaborative

The Latino Donor Collaborative (LDC) is an independently funded 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and think tank. The LDC has consistently provided economic and business data through meticulous research and fact-based insights. Its reports have become essential tools for U.S. resource allocators, highlighting the growing opportunities presented by the myriad contributions of U.S. Latinos across the social spectrum. Learn more at www.latinodonorcollaborative.org.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251008625014/en/

Latino Donor Collaborative Launches Leaders on the Mic Podcast with Host Ana Valdez, Spotlighting Latino Leaders Powering Business and Cultural Mainstream