Events

Join us on Thursday, October 15, from 6:00-8:00 PM at Loyola University's Tchopitoulas Room in the new Uptown Hall for an inspiring evening highlighting Latina leaders who are making a meaningful impact in our community.

The program will feature a panel discussion with five accomplished Latina leaders: Lucy Bustamante, Channel 8 Anchorwoman; Angela Ramirez, attorney and professor at Tulane University; Alejandra Guzman, Chief Business Development Officer for LSU Health Foundation; Dr. Jenny Mains, Special Advisor to Mayor Moreno on International Partnerships and Economic Growth; and Ashley Garcia, Regional Leasing and Marketing Director for Brian Gibbs Property Management and community activist.

Moderated by Ana Gershanik and Mayra Pineda, Co-Chairs of LWF's Cultural Committee, the conversation will explore leadership, career challenges, lessons learned, and perspectives on the future. The 90-minute program will include time for questions from attendees.

Following the panel, guests are invited to enjoy a reception featuring refreshments, cocktail bites, networking, and musical entertainment.

Meet the Speakers

Lucy Bustamante
Morning Anchor and Journalist, Gray Media's FOX Affiliate in New Orleans

Lucy Bustamante is an Emmy, Murrow, and Peabody Awardwinning journalist with more than 20 years of experience. Her reporting has helped military veterans secure previously denied benefits and healthcare and contributed to policy changes in several states protecting veterans from scammers.

In 2024, Bustamante returned to her hometown of New Orleans, where she serves as a morning anchor and journalist for Gray Media's FOX affiliate. Before returning to the Big Easy, she spent six years at NBC10 Philadelphia and Telemundo62, anchoring newscasts and reporting in both English and Spanish. Her work reached national audiences through appearances on Meet the Press, Today, and NBC News NOW. Her investigative series examining disparities in benefits for Black World War II veterans contributed to NBC News receiving the National Network Investigative Award from the National Association of Black Journalists in 2024.

Bustamante also helped launch the Philadelphia chapter of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, which was named Chapter of the Year in 2020. She is a co-founder of HeroProjectNetwork, a storytelling nonprofit that trains transitioning veterans and first responders for careers in journalism.

Previously, Bustamante anchored and reported for ABC affiliate WVEC in the NorfolkVirginia Beach market, where she earned a regional Edward R. Murrow Award for a documentary examining the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. She began her career at WWL-TV in New Orleans, reporting on Louisiana's historic trade mission to Cuba and later covering Hurricane Katrina's impact on her hometown.

A military spouse, Bustamante serves on the board of Military Veterans in Journalism and is a member of Investigative Reporters and Editors. She and her husband, both children of Cuban refugees, are raising their four children in New Orleans.

Ashley Garcia

Director of Leasing & Marketing, BGPM New Orleans

Deputy Director, The Institute for Enhanced Equity

Ashley Garcia is a seasoned real estate and community development leader with more than a decade of experience advancing equitable growth in New Orleans. As Regional Director of Leasing and Marketing at Brian Gibbs Property Management, she oversees a multimillion-dollar portfolio of luxury multifamily communities. She also serves as Deputy Director of The Institute for Enhanced Equity, advancing economic viability, strengthening small-business ecosystems, and promoting equitable development.

Ashley brings eight years of experience in small-business and nonprofit economic development. As former Board President of Fund 17, she helped guide the organization through a pivotal period of growth while supporting underserved entrepreneurs. She serves on the Louisiana Urban Land Institute Board and is involved with the New Orleans Hispanic Heritage Foundation, Court Watch New Orleans, and Codey's NOLA.

Recognized as one of New Orleans CityBusiness' 50 Best Women in Business and as a Next City Vanguard Fellow, Ashley holds a bachelor's degree in International Business from Loyola University New Orleans. She is also a graduate of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute and holds a Certification in Community Engagement and Planning from Concordia Architecture and Planning.

Alejandra Guzman

Chief Operating Officer, LSU Health Foundation New Orleans

With more than two decades of leadership experience, Alejandra Guzman is a skilled executive specializing in administration, operational efficiency, real estate development, and strategic community investment. Throughout her career, she has led multimillion-dollar master plans and real estate initiatives across the United States, Mexico, and Latin America, including affordable housing, disaster recovery, capital attraction, and large-scale mixed-use developments.

Before joining the LSU Health Foundation, Alejandra held a senior leadership role with the New Orleans Business Alliance, where she developed initiatives supporting economic revitalization, equity, and investment in underserved neighborhoods. As Chief Operating Officer of the LSU Health Foundation, she oversees key administrative functions, regulatory compliance, strategic planning, resource allocation, business development, real estate management, and public-private partnerships.

Alejandra serves as Board Chair of the Louisiana Urban Land Institute and holds leadership roles with the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Louisiana and the Xavier University Presidential Advisory Board. She also served for six years on the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans.

Her numerous honors include New Orleans Magazine's Top Female Achievers, IEDC's Young Economic Development Professional of the Year, and Consultant Connect's North America's Top 50 Economic Developers. Alejandra earned her graduate degree in business administration from Tulane University's A.B. Freeman School of Business.

Dr. Jenny Mains

Special Advisor to Mayor Helena Moreno for International Partnerships and Strategic Economic Development, City of New Orleans

Dr. Jenny Mains serves as Special Advisor to Mayor Helena Moreno for International Partnerships and Strategic Economic Development for the City of New Orleans. Before assuming this role, she served as Deputy Mayor of Economic Development.

Dr. Mains began her professional journey in medicine before transitioning into business. Together with her husband, she owns CRC Global Solutions, where she serves as Chief Commercial Officer. She also leads CRC We Care! We Share!, the company's nonprofit arm, which serves communities throughout the United States and abroad.

Service has always been central to Dr. Mains' work. She co-founded Llamadas y Aliadas, a movement that equips Latina women in faith, leadership, and purpose. Through Operación Amor, she also brings relief and hope to families in Honduras.

Dr. Mains is the author of Mujer con Propósito. A graduate of Tulane University, she is currently completing her Master of Public Administration there. She speaks and serves in both Spanish and English.

Musical Entertainment
Musical entertainment will be provided by Victoria Doutón, a Uruguayan composer and multi-instrumentalist based in New Orleans. Classically trained in flute, Victoria brings musical influences from across Latin America and has collaborated with world-renowned international musicians.

Thursday, October 15 | 6:00-8:00 PM
Loyola University Tchopitoulas Room, Uptown Hall

Parking: Parking is available adjacent to the venue, with easy access to the entrance.

Co-sponsored by Loyola's Office of Multicultural Student Affairs and the Women's Resource Center.