Celebrate Hispanic Heritage at the 2025 Conferencia de Transformación

Teresa Martínez is a distinguished Cuban-American leader and an influential figure in Polk County, Florida. Since immigrating from Cuba in 1970, she has made significant contributions to her community through various roles. This includes as an educator, President of the Institute of Spanish Communication, Inc., and Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of ¡Viva Polk!, the first Spanish, now bilingual, FMA awardwinning magazine in Polk County.

Her unwavering dedication to her community has garnered widespread recognition. The Polk County Commissioners proclaimed June 6, 2006, as “Teresa Martínez Day” in honor of her receiving the Governor’s “Point of Light Award.” In 2024, The Florida News Press further recognized her with the “City and State Above and Beyond Award,” which honors women in government and public service. Since 2009, Teresa has served on the Polk State College District Board of Trustees. She has played a pivotal role in advancing the college’s goal of becoming a Hispanic-Serving Institution.

Mariela is a renowned broadcaster and motivational speaker with over 30 years in the industry. She has earned 27 Emmy Awards and notable accolades such as induction into the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s Most Influential Latinos Hall of Fame.

She founded La Conferencia de Transformacion Latinoamericana. And, she has authored a book on her 7Cs methodology, now used to build high-performance teams. Recently, Mariela became a partner at Global
Insurance and Planning Advisors in Tampa, Florida, where she leads transformative training programs for agents. Her diverse background and dedication to the Latino community mark her as a pivotal figure in advocacy and communication.

Giovanni is a multifaceted professional and a recognized authority in leadership development, effective communication, and team-building strategies. Born in Colombia and having lived in Belize, Giovanni now calls Atlanta, GA, his home. He started with humble beginnings as an immigrant selling newspapers and washing dishes. Now, he has risen to become the founder and CEO of Mindful Performance Blueprint (MPB), a consulting firm. He is also the creator of a leadership seminar titled “Access the Leader Within” and a co-founder of the Latin American Conference on Transformation.

With over a decade of experience, he has guided various leaders and entrepreneurs in enhancing their influence and creating impactful teams. His work spans across Fortune 500 companies, large organizations in Africa, non-profits in Haiti, and small businesses aiming to leave a legacy and make a difference.

Peter O. Estévez was born in Mexico City, Mexico, and migrated to the United States at the age of 10. He is an entrepreneur and partner in several companies in the energy, gas, and oil sectors in Mexico. Peter is also a philanthropist, international speaker, and expert on Hispanic behavior in the United States. He is the author of the upcoming book, “From Lies to Riches – 13 Steps to a Healthy Life.”

Additionally, he is the founder of LatinTalks. LatinTalks is often referred to as the Ted Talks for the Latino community. It is a traveling series of talks and conversations designed to inspire, educate, transform, and empower the Latino community. Furthermore, Peter is the co-founder of the “Financial Revolution” movement and a partner in the fastest-growing financial services company in America. They focus on teaching disadvantaged communities the importance of financial literacy, creating a financial plan, and finding their path to financial freedom and wealth creation.

Mercedes is a dynamic speaker and advocate for personal transformation. She was born and raised in one of the poorest neighborhoods of El Salvador. Overcoming a childhood filled with hardships, Mercedes discovered the profound impact of unconscious thoughts on reality. This was a discovery that fueled her professional focus. She teaches that our innermost thoughts and emotional patterns shape our lives, often stemming from unhealed wounds of our inner child.

At the conference, Mercedes will share her journey of self-awareness and how accepting and transforming her pain led to personal empowerment and healing. Her insights offer a roadmap for others to reshape their own realities and achieve a life of greater fulfillment and peace.

Mayor of Haines City, Florida, Omar is a trailblazer in community service and leadership. Born in 1983 and an immigrant from Mexico in 1999, Omar has rapidly ascended in local politics. He is the first Hispanic and first Mexican mayor in Haines City and Florida. His political career began in 2022 when he was elected the first Hispanic commissioner of Haines City, followed by his roles as vice mayor and mayor.

Omar is deeply committed to his community. He serves as the chairman of the HCA Board of Poinciana Hospital and actively participating in the Florida League of Mayors and other significant organizations. He advocates strongly for youth involvement in sports and the arts, fostering a nurturing environment for talent and creativity. At the conference, Omar will share insights from his groundbreaking journey in leadership and his vision for inclusive and vibrant community development.

Consra is a Venezuelan-American leader who embodies resilience and success. After migrating to the U.S. to escape political turmoil, Consra rebuilt her life with determination and purpose. Today, she is the Managing Partner of an insurance company. She leads a diverse team of financial professionals dedicated to empowering communities with financial education and security. Consra’s passion for helping others drives her work, whether mentoring Latina entrepreneurs or guiding her team to create generational impact for their clients.

A trailblazer in her industry, she has earned numerous accolades for her leadership and service. At the conference, she will share her inspiring journey of overcoming challenges and building a career focused on empowering others to achieve their dreams.

Commissioner Martha, Ed.D., is a distinguished leader in Polk County, Florida. She focuses on economic development, community safety, and infrastructure. First elected to the County Commission in 2018 and reelected in 2022, she has served as both Vice Chair and Chair. Her extensive background in education includes roles from teacher to Provost at Polk State College.

Martha is also the owner of Leadership Consultants, LLC, and continues to contribute to various community boards. She has been honored by Polk Vision, Lakeland Junior League, and the Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce for her community contributions. Martha holds a doctorate from the University of South Florida. At the conference, Martha will share insights from her diverse experiences in public service and education, emphasizing the vital role of leadership in community enhancement.

Dr. Angela M. Garcia Falconetti was named the fifth president of Polk State College in May 2017. She has been instrumental in securing more than $90.6 million in legislative funding for the College. Under her leadership, progress has been made on significant projects. This includes breaking ground on the Polk State Haines City-Davenport Campus and completing renovations to the Winter Haven Fine Arts Building. Dr. Falconetti’s work has earned her numerous accolades, including Florida Trend’s Florida 500 and the 2020 ATHENA Leadership Award.

Dr. Falconetti is a native Floridian with over two decades of service in three states and the District of Columbia. She holds degrees from New York University and the University of North Florida. She also completed an endowed post-doctoral fellowship in Community College Leadership with The University of Texas at Austin. Prior to being named President of Polk State College, she served as Vice President of Institutional Advancement at Virginia Western Community College, and as Executive Director of the Foundation.

Franceen Gonzales, Former President of LEGOLAND® Florida Resort. Backed by a powerhouse career in theme park operations and innovation—from WhiteWater to Six Flags, Gonzales brings worldclass expertise and a passion for people to her role.

She’s also a trailblazer in safety and industry standards, serving on IAAPA and ASTM boards. With Merlin Entertainments making bold investments in Central Florida, Gonzales is keeping LEGOLAND Florida at the forefront by championing for her team, upgrading the guest experience, and introducing must-see attractions for families across the globe.

Sergio Perez is a first-generation Cuban-American software engineer at META and an inspiring example of perseverance and academic excellence. A proud graduate of Polk State Lakeland Collegiate High School and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Sergio earned his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and is currently pursuing his Master’s at MIT. His journey began with late-night English flashcards alongside his mother, who immigrated from Cuba and passed on her love for numbers.

Sergio graduated high school with an associate degree and a perfect SAT math score, later founding a Math Club and tutoring peers. He was accepted into MIT and Google’s elite STEP program, where he honed real-world engineering skills and returned as a software engineering intern. Sergio now builds innovative tech at META and encourages others to pursue their passions fearlessly and strive to become their best selves.