Meet our 2024 Futura Fest Speakers!

Fireside Chat: Celebrando Nuestras Carreras Con Orgullo: Stepping Up & Entering the Workforce as our Authentic Selves

  • Service Delivery Leader, Palo Alto Networks

    Angela Flores Robertson is the Service Delivery Leader at Palo Alto Networks, boasting over two decades of experience acquired at renowned Silicon Valley technology giants such as NetFlix, Cisco Systems, Xilinx, and Polycom. Recognized for her proficiency in managing technical accounts for Fortune 500 clientele, Angela is a respected advisor adept at navigating intricate challenges. A first-generation professional originating from San Jose, she maintains deep ties to the city's rich history and cultural heritage.

    Known for her forward-thinking leadership style centered on adaptability, Angela champions the creation of an empowering work environment that allows individuals to thrive and reach their full potential. She is dedicated to advancing Latinx representation in the tech realm and actively participates in mentorship initiatives to pave the way for future Latino business leaders. Serving as the Vice President of Juntos (Employee Resource Group) at Palo Alto Networks, Angela is committed to empowering and fostering the growth of Latinx professionals in cybersecurity. She strongly believes in the significance of Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) in helping individuals connect, network, and advance

    in their careers, leveraging her role in Juntos to amplify the voices of Latinos and forge connections with other Latino organizations to enhance access and professional development within the tech industry. She uplifts her colleagues to see that there are many opportunities for career advancement and her own career path is an example for others to follow. Angela is a powerful Latina leader who is trailblazing the cybersecurity field by being a role model and encouraging others to make their mark.

    Emphasizing education as the cornerstone of a successful career, Angela actively champions STEM programs in the Bay Area through various organizations, striving to guide the next generation towards prosperous tech careers. Through her advocacy and mentorship, Angela plays a pivotal role in empowering aspiring technologists to discover their paths and succeed in the ever-evolving tech landscape.

  • Community Advocate, Public Servant

    Pamela Campos is a Bay Area native, proudly born and raised in San José, CA. She is a Chicana, second-generation immigrant whose family developed roots in the South Bay. Working as an educator for over a decade, Pamela specializes in policy and advocacy that ensures the needs of children, seniors, and women are included in community development projects. She is a dedicated leader who places the needs of young children, their families, and underrepresented marginalized BIPOC communities at the forefront of her vision towards an equitable future. Pamela holds a B.A. in Child and Adolescent Development from SJSU and currently serves as Chair of the Policy Advisory Council for the Metropolitan Transportation Commission.

  • Founder and CEO, DREAMers Roadmap

    Sarahi is dedicated to helping undocumented students access higher education through her mobile app platform. Her activism extends beyond supporting the undocumented to advocating for socially and economically disadvantaged communities. Recognized as a White House Champion of Change in 2014 and named in Forbes 30 under 30 in 2016, she draws from her personal experience as a former undocumented student. Having dropped out of community college to support her family, she is committed to eliminating educational barriers for others like her.

    In 2020, she spearheaded #FirstOfTheMonth and #Supplies4FarmWorkers campaigns, raising $2.7 million for vulnerable communities affected by Covid-19 and California fires. Joining The Sobrato Family Foundation in 2022 as Senior Program and Strategy Advisor, she led community engagement and advised Silicon Valley's strategy focusing on Community Voice and Lived Experience.

    Currently pursuing a double Bachelors’ of Science in Ethnic Studies and Sociology at Santa Clara University, she is set to graduate with highest honors in June 2024. Sarahi will pursue a master’s degree in policy, organization, and Leadership Studies at Stanford University's School of Education as a Knight-Hennessy Scholar, aiming to draft and pass policies for equitable higher education and immigration. Ultimately, Sarahi plans to run for office and enact change at a systemic level.

Panel Discussion: Latinas in Technical Spaces: Taking the Initiative to Create Community Impact

  • Lean In Latinas Founder & President

    “It was years of my life in a moment in time when I created Lean In Latinas. I wanted to create a space for Latinas to learn, share and grow together. What started with a Circle of three Latinas in my backyard is now a Lean In Global Affinity Network with over a two thousand members and growing.” Anna acquired a Master of Public Administration from the University of San Francisco and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Saint Mary’s College. In 2013 she was named as a Silicon Valley Business Journal Woman of Influence and graduated from the Hispanas Organized for Political Equality Leadership Institute. In 2017, she was named as Woman of the Year by the Women’s Health Care Executives. She served as a State Commissioner with the California State Senate for Cost Control in State Government. She was Vice Chair and Board Member for the Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley and is currently Vice Chair and Board Member for the University of San Francisco. In 2015, she was appointed as a Regional Program Leader by LeanIn.Org and featured in The New York Times for creating Lean In Latinas, a not-for-profit organization. In 2018, she received a Top Latino Leaders Award by the National Diversity Council. In 2019, Anna was appointed by the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors to the Women’s Equality 2020 Leadership Council and was chosen by the Silicon Valley Business Journal for a Latino Leadership award. In 2021 Anna was then appointed to the Santa Clara County Hate Crimes Task Force. Then in May 2024, she was appointed as an Advisory Board Member for Silicon Valley Latino. Anna has been featured in Forbes, National Public Radio (NPR) and the Wall Street Journal.

  • Senior Marketer, Adobe

    Martha Niño Rodriguez was born in Mexico in poverty. She came to the United States undocumented passing as a stranger’s child. It was risky but the risk paid off – and although Martha got kicked out of high school she has had an amazing career as a Silicon Valley professional of over 25 years working in hardware, software and mobile. She is currently at Adobe where she has spent over 18 years as a Senior Technology Leader. She is part of the only 2% of Latinas to be in this field. She didn’t do this alone – it took many good people who saw value in her. Aside from her job in tech, she is an author, a speaker and an advocate for the underserved community and most recently launched her foundations which gives HOPE through story and books for FREE to students. Better is possible - she is proof.

  • Project Manager & Process Engineer in Medical Device Industry

    Delia de Jesus Davila is a Stockton-native and attended San Joaquin Delta College and University of the Pacific (class of 2018). After completing undergraduate and graduate degrees in bioengineering and engineering management, Delia immediately became involved in establishing a Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) chapter for professionals in the Sacramento and Stockton areas (Delta Valley SHPE Professionals). Since then, wherever she goes, she has taken the initiative to be actively involved in a community, such as employee resource groups, SHPE in San Francisco Bay Area and Silicon Valley, and Jose Hernandez's Reaching for the Stars Foundation in Stockton. Delia is currently a technical project manager for the medical device industry. In her free time, Delia enjoys teaching traditional arts & crafts from Mexico, and drawing comics reflecting her experience as a latina in engineering (delia.doodles).

Panel Discussion: Latina Power Through Unity: Creating a Network for Undocumented Professionals and Students

  • Program Director, UndocuSpartan Student Resource Center at San Jose State University

    Ana Navarrete currently serves as the Program Director for the UndocuSpartan Student Resource Center at San Jose State University (SJSU), where she works alongside students, educators, and allies to develop initiatives and resources that foster the personal and academic success of undocumented students. Originally from Tamaulipas, Mexico, Ana migrated with her family to the U.S. when she was just 9 months old. She spent her childhood in East San Jose, CA, before relocating to Stockton, where she attended high school and community college.

    As a first-generation student and undocumented person herself, navigating higher education presented numerous challenges. However, with the unwavering support of peers, mentors, advisors, and community members, she successfully transferred from San Joaquin Delta College and earned a B.A. in Latin American and Latino Studies from the University of California, Santa Cruz in 2013.

    Ana's commitment to advocating for underserved communities and creating inclusive spaces within higher education continues to drive her work each day. With a deep understanding of the challenges faced by undocumented students, Ana is dedicated to uplifting the students she serves and ensuring they have access to the resources and support needed to thrive.

  • MPA, California Governor’s Office of Business & Economic Development

    Bio coming soon

Workshop: Cultivating Brilliance: Strategies for Career Growth

  • Program Associate, African American Community Services Agency

    Kiana Munoz is a dedicated advocate for social justice and education from San Jose’s East Side, holding AAs in Social Justice and African American Studies. Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s in Ethnic Studies at Cal State East Bay, she aims to become a professor and director of an Ethnic Studies department. As a Program Associate for the African American Community Service Agency, Kiana oversees program development and leads the Leadership Academy for students. She is also part of the Messy Roots Coaching Program, working towards a Coaching Certificate with an emphasis on Education and Women's Empowerment. With a strong foundation in art, graphic design, and marketing, Kiana blends creativity with advocacy to inspire and empower her community.

Workshop: Unlocking Your Potential: Career and Pathways in Public Service & Policy Jobs

  • Management Analyst, County of Santa Clara, Office of Women’s Policy Division of Equity and Social Justice

    Ketzal Gómez was born and raised in San José, attended San Francisco State University, attaining a B.A. in American Studies with an emphasis in Women and Gender Studies and Ethnic Studies. In the community Ketzal has actively fought for the civil rights of workers, indigenous communities, immigrants, LGBTQ+, women, students, and incarcerated individuals. Ketzal started with the Office of Women’s Policy as a Student intern in 2014 and got hired in 2018 as a Management Analyst focusing on the offices policy areas of leadership and justice reform. Currently she is the lead staff on the Juvenile Justice Gender Responsive Collaborative where system, community and youth partners meet to develop and implement best practices for girls and gender non-conforming in the juvenile justice system. She also staff’s the Commission on the Status of Women a 15 volunteer, board appointed commission whose roles is to advise the Board of Supervisors on all issues affecting Women and girls in Santa Clara County.

Panel Discussion: Exploring Your Compensation Beyond Salary: How and What You Can Negotiate in Your Compensation Package

  • Founder, MadeBoss, ESO Venture

    Martha Hernández is a serial entrepreneur. She is the founder and CEO of madeBOS, Inc., a tech-enabled solution that makes HR affordable and accessible for small and growing organizations. Martha made a bold move and quit her job as an executive of HR to invest all her time into madeBOS.com. Most recently, Martha Co-Founded ESO Ventures, an entrepreneurial support organization focused on providing the confidence, competence, and capital for any Black and Brown person to become an entrepreneur. ESO's big goal is to establish a business every day for the next 10 years creating over $3B in revenue and 60,000 new jobs in underinvested communities.

    Martha is an Oakland native and her educational background starts a Bachelor's degree in Sociology and Spanish Literature from Occidental College. She later became a graduate of Mills College Institute for Civic Leadership Program, as well as Management Leadership for Tomorrow, and the Coro Fellows Program in Public Affairs. Martha completed an AI Business Strategy certification from MIT and is a Senior Certified Professional in Human Resources, SHRM-SCP.

    Martha became a best-selling author. Her book “I Have What it Takes” now at Target, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble is a combination of stories and principles aimed at igniting underrepresented and under-resourced talent’s natural leadership. Martha loves spending time with her son Joaquin, training at the boxing or crossfit gym and singing and writing music. Known as Martha Soledad, she released her first album "Prefiero Mandar en Falda" featuring her own corrido to inspire political action on gender equity and inclusion.

  • HR Consultant, Entrepreneur

    Hi, I'm Martha Rodriguez, a seasoned HR Professional with a passion for transforming workplaces through people-centered strategies. 10+ years of HR experience in fast-paced environments:Software Development, Medical Device, Consumer Services,Hospitals and Healthcare,Environmental Services, Facilities Services, Retail, and Food and Beverage.

    My background as an HR Generalist, HR Business Partner, and People Operations Specialist has equipped me with a deep understanding of the value of diversity and inclusivity in driving organizational success. I excel in building strong relationships across all levels of an organization, enabling me to effectively align HR initiatives with business objectives.

    Successful track record in enhancing employee engagement, coaching, mentoring, change management, succession planning, disciplinary action, employee development, leadership development, and business strategies.