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Speakers
Claudia De León
Claudia Yvette De León is Vice President and General Manager of the Cleveland Market Cluster for Urban One. Additionally, she is Head of Spanish Broadcast for Urban One, overseeing Spanish Broadcast on the Mega Radio, Fuego Radio and Telemundo Television in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Indianapolis and Washington DC. Prior to this role, Claudia served as owner/operator of La Mega Media, one of the largest Spanish language media companies in the United States, operating radio stations, print publications and digital products in markets throughout the Midwest. De León was born in Weslaco, Texas, to Mexican parents. She moved to Columbus, Ohio, in 2003 with a full academic scholarship to attend The Ohio State University and graduated in 2007. She enrolled in Capital Law School in 2010. Claudia has received numerous commendations for community advocacy and involvement. She has held office in various boards, including the League of United Latin American Citizens and Columbus Bilingual Academies. She served on the board of the Northeast Ohio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and was President of the Columbus Hispanic Chamber of Commerce from 2016 to 2024. In 2017 Claudia was admitted to the Forbes Agency Council, an invitation-only organization for owners and executives of public relations, media strategy, creative and advertising agencies. In December of 2021, Claudia graduated from the Stanford University School of Business Latino Entrepreneurship Program. She was awarded the General Manager of the Year category of the 2023 “Medallas de Cortez” competition, the most coveted and prestigious award within the Hispanic radio industry. She currently sits on the Board as the only Latina Board Member of the Ohio Broadcasters Association. De León received a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science, specializing in Economic Development, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in international studies, specializing in World Economy and Business, from The Ohio State University.
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Giovanna Alvarez
Giovanna Alvarez serves as the Executive Director of the Ohio Latino Affairs Commission, where she leads statewide efforts to strengthen community engagement, expand economic opportunity, and enhance access to resources for Latino populations across Ohio. She collaborates with state agencies, local leaders, and community partners to support initiatives that improve outcomes for communities across the state. She brings extensive experience in nonprofit and government executive leadership, having previously directed a Cincinnati-based nonprofit organization focused on supporting vulnerable international families, with a specific focus on Hispanic and Latino communities through community-based programs and a diverse portfolio of services. A lawyer trained in Peru with additional studies in the arts and leadership, Giovanna combines legal, analytical, and creative expertise in her approach to public service. Her professional background includes program development, relationship management, public relations, government relations, communications, business strategy, development, and public policy. Her leadership has been recognized through multiple awards, including the Distinguished Hispanic Ohioan Award and the Cincinnati YWCA Career Women of Achievement. She has also received organizational honors such as the Spirit of America Award, the Brillante Award for Excellence in Community Service, and the Bridges Builder Award, among others. She is recognized for her collaborative leadership style, strong communication skills, and commitment to public service.
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Karla Boldery
Karla C. Boldery (Cárdenas-Álvarez) is an award-winning business professional and entrepreneur with a deep commitment to empowering small businesses, particularly within the Hispanic community. As a Certified Business Advisor at the Ohio SBDC at Miami University Regionals and the 2023 SBDC State Star, she is recognized for her exceptional contributions to economic development. In her current role as Local Sales Manager at Urban One, Karla leads market strategy and advertising solutions for multicultural audiences, following her impactful tenure as General Market Manager for La Mega Media, Inc.—Ohio’s largest Hispanic media platform—where she oversaw significant growth and rebranding, allowing for a successful transition into the leadership team of the Spanish Broadcast Operations for Urban One in 2024. Karla’s dedication to the Hispanic business community has earned her numerous accolades, including the 2017 SBA Partner of the Year, 2018 Distinguished Hispanic Ohioan by OCHLA, and a spot on the Cincinnati Business Courier’s Forty Under 40 in 2015. She is also the founder of the Latina Entrepreneur Academy in Cincinnati, which has equipped over 200 Latinas and Latinos with essential business skills and support. Her commitment to inclusive excellence extends through her service on multiple advisory boards, such as the Minority Business Assistance Center Advisory Board, the OKI Environmental Justice Advisory Committee, and trustee positions with Findlay Market, Cincinnati Memorial Hall Society, and UC’s CCMpower Board.
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