This seminar promises to:

• Explore the latest industry trends and advancements.
• Provide practical tips for business growth and development.
• Foster valuable networking opportunities with industry leaders.
• Equip you with tools to navigate challenges and seize opportunities in today’s dynamic marketplace.

Don’t miss out on this exceptional opportunity to elevate your business to new heights. Prepare to embark on a journey to innovate, navigate, and elevate to fuel entrepreneurial growth! 

This training is supported through a grant from The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida.

Lunch will be provided.

Event Schedule

• 8:00 AM – 8:30 AM – Opening and Registration
• 8:45 AM – 9:00 AM – Opening Remarks, Community Foundation
  Monica Hernandez, VP, Assets Services-Global Markets for Bank of America /
  President at First Coast Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (FCHCC)
  EMCEE: Marithza Ross, Meteorologist & Traffic Anchor, Action News Jax
  
• 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM – Panel Discussion: Learn the Myths, Realities and Opportunities of Working and Contracting with the Government presented by Gregory Grant, Equal Business Opportunity Administrator, JSEB City of Jacksonville
  Panelists: Conchie Fernandez, Founding Partner, CF Creative
  Jorge Arce, MBA Certified Global Business Professional – here to assist U.S. companies to export U.S. products and services all over the world.
  Annie Grogan, Director Jacksonville Women’s Business Center
  Q&A session
  
• 10:30 AM – 10:45 AM – Coffee Break
• 10:45 AM – 12:00 PM – Workshops
  “Understanding what Banks look for when reviewing a Loan Application and how to be prepared to Access Capital” – ENGLISH presented by Nick Correa, Business Community Officer, Bank of America
  
  “Practical Tips for Writing Grants: Creating Proposals and Capability Statements to Secure New Contracts” – SPANISH presented by Conchie Fernandez, Founding Partner, CF Creative
  
  “Effective techniques for Public Speaking and Pitching your Business Ideas” –SPANISH presented by Maribel Hernandez, Acting Chief and Grants Administrator, City of Jacksonville
  
• 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM – Lunch
• 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM – Keynote Speaker, Jaamal Medley, Coca Cola Beverages, Florida
  
• 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM – Panel Discussion: “Access to Capital is Crucial for the Growth of your Business, Learn about the Different Ways to get Access to it” presented by Jonel Hein, SBA North Florida District Director
  Mark Walker, Director of the Jessie Ball duPont Fund
  Chris Crothers, Director Impact Investing, Jessie Ball duPont Fund
  Nick Correa, Business Community Officer, Bank of America
  Q&A Session
  
  3:30 PM – 4:30 PM – Workshops
  “Understanding and Making the Most of your Taxes” – SPANISH presented by Daysi Jacobson, Founder & CEO Daysi Jacobson Accounting
  
  “Unlocking Capital for Hispanic-Owned Small Businesses” – SPANISH presented by Elizabeth Irausquin, Programs Director, Prospera USA
  
  “Empowering Financial Success: Navigating Resources and Opportunities” – SPANISH presented by Gabriel Gonzalez, Personal Relationship Banker, Wells Fargo N.A.
  
  “Better Money Habits” – ENGLISH presented by Nick Correa, Business Community Officer, Bank of America
  
• 4:30 PM – 5:00 PM – Presentation of Certificates and Closures

*schedule subject to change

You can download a PDF of the agenda here.

Jaamal Medley, Keynote Speaker

Territory General Manager, Coca Cola Beverages Florida

With 18 years of dedicated experience within the Coca-Cola System, Jamaal Medley is a seasoned professional renowned for his exceptional leadership and strategic insight. Currently, he serves as the Territory General Manager for Coca-Cola Beverages Florida, overseeing sales and supply chain operations for the greater Jacksonville metropolitan area. Jamaal holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration from Strayer University, highlighting his strong academic foundation and commitment to lifelong learning and professional development. Throughout his career, he has consistently demonstrated expertise in driving growth, fostering relationships, and achieving operational excellence.

Before his corporate career, Jamaal honorably served in the United States Navy for 10 years, where he developed invaluable skills in teamwork, discipline, and problem-solving. Beyond his professional achievements, Jamaal is deeply committed to giving back to his community. He is an alumnus of Leadership Jacksonville, class of 2024. Additionally, he actively engages in various community service initiatives, holding key roles on prominent boards such as the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Teach for America Advisory Board, Vice Chair of the Boys and Girls Club of Northeast Florida TPC Advisory Board, and the St. John’s County Transportation and Logistics Academy Advisory Board. Through his leadership and dedication, Jamaal continues to make a positive impact on both the business world and the communities he serves.

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Gregory Grant

Equal Business Opportunity Administrator
City of Jacksonville

Gregory Grant was appointed by Mayor Donna Deagan in 2023, a leader dedicated to empowering businesses and veterans. With over 25 years of experience, he has managed corporate operations and owned several businesses.

Gregory is a Business Development expert with roles at the Florida SBDC and as an Adjunct Professor. A U.S. Army veteran and Doctoral Candidate at UNF, he is passionate about supporting small businesses and fostering entrepreneurship in Jacksonville.

Featured in Huffington Post, Forbes, and MSNBC, Gregory inspires with his commitment to continuous learning and community growth.

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Conchie Fernández

Founding Partner, CF Creative

Conchie Fernández is the Founding Partner of CF Creative, join us at Hola Emprende 2024! As a leader in business growth and strategic communications, her firm was recognized as the Minority Marketing and Communications Firm of the Year in 2017 and 2023.

With clients like Coca-Cola and the U.S. Department of Commerce, Conchie empowers small and minority-owned businesses across the U.S. and Latin America. Recognized by VP Kamala Harris and featured in a Stanford report on Hispanic entrepreneurship, she’s a true trailblazer.

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Jorge Arce

MBA, Jorge Arce, U.S. Commercial Service

Jorge Arce is the Director & Senior Trade Specialist with the U.S. Commercial Service, at Hola Emprende 2024! As a leader in export consulting, Jorge helps North Florida companies expand globally with “Made in USA” products and services.

With over 20 years of experience, Jorge has worked worldwide, from Miami to Hong Kong. He brings his expertise and insights to the largest Hispanic business conference in Northeast Florida.

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Daysi Jacobson

CEO, Daysi Jacobson Accounting

Born and raised in Ecuador, Daysi Jacobson immigrated to the U.S. in 2003 without knowing a word of English. Through hard work and perseverance, she learned the language and began her career as an auditor for the IRS. As an immigrant, Daysi understood the confusion surrounding fiscal and accounting policies in the U.S. As an auditor, she witnessed how many people were equally perplexed and concerned during tax season.

Driven by a dream to help these individuals, Daysi opened her own practice, Daysi Jacobson Accounting LLC, 15 years later. Today, she dedicates her time to making a difference in people’s lives through her expertise.

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Jonel Hein

District Director
SBA North Florida District Office

Jonel is an experienced District Director with a demonstrated history of working in the government administration industry. With 32 years at the SBA, Jonel leads programs supporting over 1.6 million small businesses in North Florida, overseeing $830M in loans and creating 12,000+ jobs in 2022.

Her focus on partnerships and SBA brand recognition drives growth and opportunities for entrepreneurs. Don’t miss Jonel’s insights at the largest Hispanic business conference in Northeast Florida!

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Mark Walker

Director, Jessie Ball DuPont Fund

Mark Walker is the Director of The Jessie Ball DuPont Fund, managing operations, tenant relationships, and events. As the Senior Program Officer for the Jessie Ball DuPont Fund in Jacksonville, FL, he oversees equity and placemaking grants.

With a background in technology and philanthropy, Mark served as the board president for the Technology Affinity Group for Foundations in 2022-2023. A graduate of Georgetown’s Executive Nonprofit Management program and UCF, Mark enjoys composing music, kayaking, and family time.

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Nick Correa

VP / Business Community Officer / Driving Equitable
Opportunities for Business Owners, Bank of America

With over 20 years of experience in financial services, Nick Correa is a dedicated Business Community Officer at Bank of America, empowering entrepreneurs with resources, financial education, and access to capital—especially in underserved communities.

He is a leader in the Charleston, Savannah, and Jacksonville markets and serves as a financial advisor for the Lowcountry Minority Business Accelerator. A former outside linebacker at the University of Mary, Nick enjoys the beach, traveling, and serving his church community with his wife.

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Annie Grogan

Director, Jacksonville’s Women Business Center

Annie Grogan is the Director of the Jacksonville Women’s Business Center, a program under the Jacksonville Chamber Foundation. Annie is a successful human resources and economic development professional who began her career as a commissioned U.S. Army Officer, serving 10 years of active duty in logistics roles. After her military career, she embarked on a 23-year journey in Human Resources Management with top Fortune 500 companies such as Fannie Mae, Pepsi Cola, Best Buy, and Coach, Inc.

In recent years, Annie has focused on local economic development, working with nonprofits and government agencies in northeast Florida. As a Business Consultant for the Small Business Development Center at UNF, she was the first to introduce and support SBDC services in Clay and Baker counties. As the Marketing and Outreach Specialist for the North Florida District Small Business Administration, she supported a 43-county area during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, providing direct business consulting and education to small business owners on various programs and resources.

Annie’s community distinctions include being named a 2015 Jacksonville Business Journal Woman of Influence, the 2015 Jacksonville Jaguars Hispanic Leader of the Year, and a 2016 Leadership Jacksonville alum. She has served on the boards of the North Florida March of Dimes, Volunteers in Medicine, the First Coast Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and the Jacksonville Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM).

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Elizabeth Irausquin

Programs Director, Prospera USA

Elizabeth Irausquin is the Programs Director at Prospera, a nonprofit aiding Hispanic-owned businesses. A Venezuelan native, she moved to the U.S. in 2003, establishing a family business in Miami. She joined Prospera as a client in 2012, became a Small Business Consultant in 2017, and returned as Programs Director in 2023.

In her role, Elizabeth oversees entrepreneurial services, mentors staff, and ensures program effectiveness across three states. Her background includes business consulting and HR roles at PricewaterhouseCoopers, IBM, and EPC Limited.

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Chris Crothers

Director of Impacting Investing and
Senior Program Officer
Jessie Ball DuPont Fund

Chris Crothers is a visionary leader at Hola Emprende 2024! As the Director of Impact Investing, Chris oversees a significant portion of the Fund’s portfolio, focusing on program-related and mission-related investments. 

He’s also a founding member of the Community Investment Guarantee Pool and the Northeast Florida Impact Investors Exchange, driving change in communities nationwide. With a strong background in communications and community development, Chris has earned six Wilmer Shields Rich Awards for Excellence in Communications.  From designing initiatives for males of color in the South to managing grants in Wilmington, Delaware, his impact is profound. Let’s celebrate Chris’s dedication to building better communities and his remarkable journey! 

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Maribel Hernandez

Active Chief and Grants Administrator
City of Jacksonville

Maribel “Mari” Hernandez relocated to Jacksonville in 1989 from the New York/New Jersey area. She has two grown children and an energetic German Shepherd named Melo. Hernandez has over 35 years business
experience in local government, corporate and non-profit sectors as well as small business having owned her own business for over 10 years. Hernandez is the Chief of the Grants and Contract Compliance Division of the City of Jacksonville. Hernandez has an MBA from Concordia University in Montreal, Canada, a Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Florida and an Associate of Arts from Florida State College.

She has been very active in the community for over 25 years having served on several Boards and active with a number of volunteer and professional organizations including past president of the First Coast Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Jacksonville Women’s Network and the First Coast Multilingual Toastmasters as well as past Chair of the Jacksonville Urban League and PACE Center for Girls.

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Gabriel Gonzalez

Personal Relationship Banker, Wells Fargo

Gabriel Gonzalez is a financial expert that has been in the banking industry for over a decade. Gabriel is currently a Relationship Banker with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. and spends his time helping business clients from all over Jacksonville reach their goals and succeed financially. Gabriel takes a holistic approach to helping his business clients succeed, focusing not only on their deposit relationships but also their credit picture, their relationships with their own customers/clients and even marketing. Gabriel is looking forward to sharing his knowledge and expertise with you to help your business succeed and grow as he has for many business owners throughout our market.

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Marithza Ross, Emcee

Meteorologist and Traffic Anchor
Action News Jax

Marithza Ross is a seasoned Meteorologist and Traffic Anchor for Action News Jax, as a featured speaker at our upcoming event! Marithza graces the morning airwaves on CBS 47 and FOX 30 from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m., providing vital traffic updates and weather forecasts. Beyond her role in English media, Marithza also produces and anchors Spanish-language news briefs for Telemundo Jacksonville, showcasing her bilingual capabilities.

With 15 years of diverse experience in broadcast television, Marithza has become a versatile figure at Action News Jax, adeptly handling roles ranging from meteorologist to reporter and producer. Her ability to deliver engaging content without a teleprompter stems from her rigorous training in meteorology—a skill that enhances her dynamic reporting style. A proud first-generation college graduate, Marithza earned a Bachelor of Science in Meteorology and a Master of Arts in Organizational Development from The University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas.

A native Texan with Mexican heritage, Marithza has made Florida her home for the past decade, where she enjoys life with her family. Her hobbies include playing pickleball, golf, watching football, reading, and spending quality time with her loved ones. Join us to hear Marithza share her insights on the evolving landscape of broadcast meteorology and her unique experiences in bilingual journalism.

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