NEW EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TO CONTINUE MISSION OF FRIENDS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN LATINO

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Friends of the National Museum of the American Latino (FRIENDS) announced new members to its Executive Leadership Board: business leader and entrepreneur Cici Rojas, culinary game-changer and humanitarian activist Chef Grace Ramirez, business leader and former SBA appointee Mark Madrid, and global leader in public-private relations Sergio Fernandez de Cordova.

“All of our board members, past and present, are dedicated leaders who focus on elevating and creating opportunities for Latinos. The members we have chosen for our Executive Leadership Board go above and beyond for our community,” stated Estuardo V. Rodriguez, President and CEO, FRIENDS. “We are excited the campaign will be led by Latino entrepreneurs and activists and have faith their influence will boost our mission to build the National Museum of the American Latino on the National Mall”

These members take on these roles during a critical time for our campaign. In 2020, the National Museum of the American Latino Act was signed into law, establishing the museum within the Smithsonian Institution. However, the future location of the museum remained unresolved. Our work is focused on the culture, history and innovation of Latinos, and we continue to educate Congressional members, corporate leaders and the public about the undeniable impact Latinos have on U.S. history.

 The Executive Leadership Board is as follows:

CiCi Rojas
Board Chair

CiCi Rojas is an accomplished C-Suite Executive turned entrepreneur, having built enterprises both in for profit environments, and for economic, political and social change. After three decades of leading organizations dedicated to advancing key population growth segments, in 2017, she decided to transfer development skills, and extensive network to co-lead Tico Productions and Tico Sports LLC, a company established by her and her husband in 2013. The enterprise is a full-service multi-media production and bilingual marketing company, that developed a Spanish language broadcast and community engagement platform, for professional sports teams. Her first partnership was formed with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2016, and has produced broadcasts for several other NFL, MLS, and Collegiate sports teams.

In her Executive career, CiCi most recently served the Kansas City business community as President and CEO of the Central Exchange. Prior to Central Exchange, she served as Vice President of Community Engagement for Truman Medical Centers (TMC) in Kansas City, Missouri. Her executive roles include leading two Hispanic Chambers of Commerce as: President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Greater Kansas City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; and Vice President of Strategic Alliance with the Washington, D. C.-based United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

CiCi has been recognized for her business and community achievements with the following awards and recognitions. Of particular note are; Latino Leaders Magazine “100 Leading Latinas”, 2024 State of Missouri Women of Achievement, 2022 Kansas City Business Journal “Women Who Mean Business”, 2018 Nuestra Latina Lifetime Achievement Award, 2016 “Women Who Have Changed the Heart of the City”, 2013 Greater Missouri Women’s Leadership Foundation, Woman of the year, 2013 KC Magazine Class of Influential Women, 2011 NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award.

Rojas is active in civic organizations on the local, national, and international levels. Nationally and internationally, she serves as Chair, Friends of the America Latino Museum, Immediate Past Chair, YMCA National Board of Trustees, and World Council Executive Committee Officer, Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, Chair-elect, Guadalupe Centers, Past Chair, Visit KC and Kansas City Ballet, board member Arvest Bank, and Stowers Research Institute.

Chef Grace Ramirez
Vice Chair

An award-winning chef, entrepreneur, humanitarian, educator, author, and TV personality who has become a global leader in celebrating Latin American cuisine and culture. With a career that seamlessly blends culinary expertise, business innovation, media presence, and social advocacy, she has established herself as a powerful voice for representation and inclusivity. Grace is deeply committed to shaping the future through food, education, and cultural preservation.

As an entrepreneur, Grace is the visionary behind La Latina Cocina, a food concept that lives inside 85+ universities across the country, bringing authentic Latin American flavors to students in food halls nationwide. Her dedication to food and education drives her mission to make culturally rich and nourishing meals more accessible to the next generation.

A champion of education and community engagement, Grace was appointed to NYC’s Chefs Council, where she develops healthy, culturally relevant recipes for the New York City Department of Education, impacting millions of students. Her passion for social advocacy extends to her work with Aid for Life, where she supports workforce development initiatives to uplift underserved communities.

Grace’s humanitarian efforts have earned her widespread recognition, including the “Excellence in Philanthropy” Award at the 2023 Grace Awards by St. Ann’s Corner of Harm Reduction. She has been named one of Cherry Bombe’s 100 Most Influential Women in Hospitality, recognized as one of People en Español’s Most Powerful Latinas, honored as a COVID-19 Hero by the City of New York, and awarded the Distinguished Latina Star Award by the Puerto Rican Bar Association for her volunteer work with World Central Kitchen.

Her commitment to amplifying Latino culture led her to co-create Times Square’s largest cultural event to date—the first-of-its-kind Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration, where thousands gathered to experience traditional altars, music, and art in the heart of New York City.

In addition to serving on the board of Aid for Life, Grace is now a proud Co-Chair of the Friends of the National Museum of the American Latino, furthering her mission to celebrate, elevate, and preserve Latino heritage for future generations.

For more information, please visit chefgraceramirez.com.

Mark Madrid
Secretary

The Honorable Mark L. Madrid is the CEO and founder of AI-powered Breakthrough Mavens, LLC, serving corporate America, small business owners, senior executives, boards, and nonprofits. Mark and his team prioritize fractional C-Suite services and tech-forward, accessible, profitable and actionable breakthroughs.  A dynamic keynote speaker and #1 best-selling author, Mark is known for his energy, discipline, and grit and his series, Self-Fueling Excellence.  In 2025, Mark launched his national podcast, Small Business is Big Business with Mark L. Madrid at Super Bowl LIX.  The podcast is powered by the C-Suite Network and C-Suite Media, which is a testament to Mark’s Leadership in the C-Suite Network Hero Club.

Raised by migrant farmworker parents in a Texas Panhandle farming community, Mark’s journey exemplifies resilience and living the American dream. Graduating valedictorian from his high school, he earned a full scholarship to the University of Texas at Austin, which led to a successful career on Wall Street and significant executive roles in corporate banking, nonprofit leadership, academia and public service.

Mark served as a Presidential Appointee at the U.S. Small Business Administration and as CEO of the Stanford University Latino Entrepreneurship Initiative. His leadership has supported millions of small businesses, fostering entrepreneurship, measurable scale, and innovation.

Named the 2019 Silicon Valley Nonprofit CEO of the Year, Mark’s accolades include the Jefferson Award for public service and the Latino Leaders Maestro Award. He holds a BBA with honors from the University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business and a Master’s Cum Laude in Nonprofit Administration from the University of Notre Dame Mendoza College of Business.

An AI futurist and recent collaborator on the pioneering book Interview with AI: How to Eliminate Homelessness, Mark is a Visiting Scholar for the Clinton Public School of Service at the University of Arkansas and Entrepreneur-In-Residence at NMSDC. He serves on the board of the McCoy Family Foundation at Texas State University, executive board of Friends of the Museum of the American Latino.  He is an Honorary Colonel of the United States Army.

Mark treasures his faith and the beauty of life.  He is a competitive runner, embodying the relentless pursuit of excellence.

Sergio Fernandez de Cordova
Treasurer

Sergio is a global leader in public-private partnerships, multilateral diplomacy, and technology-driven solutions. As Founder of PVBLIC Foundation, he has led initiatives impacting over two billion people, shaping policy, investment, and governance models that drive economic resilience and sustainable development.

His entrepreneurial journey began at 12, setting the foundation for a career built on innovation, impact, and leadership. He has worked across government, diplomacy, and private sector engagement, bridging policy, technology, and sustainable financing.

For one year, he served as UN Ambassador & Permanent Observer for OIJ, representing 22 member states and advocating for youth participation. His diplomatic role strengthened multilateral cooperation, working with heads of state, UN agencies, and global institutions to create scalable, technology-driven impact.

Through PVBLIC, he has pioneered next-generation financing and governance models, mobilizing capital, data, and innovation for global development. His leadership has driven major initiatives, including the SDG Data Alliance, Development Bank for Resilient Prosperity (DBRP), PVBLIC One, SDG Media Zone, SIDS ABAS Center of Excellence, and Family Offices for Sustainable Development (FOSD). These efforts help governments and private stakeholders harness data as an asset, drive investment, and implement sustainable economic strategies. He has also supported platforms like the SDG Fund’s Private Sector Advisory Group (PSAG).

His career spans entrepreneurship, investment, and public-private governance, having led ventures that collectively raised close to $1 billion. As co-founder of Fuel Outdoor, he led the American billboard industry into the digital era, modernizing regulatory frameworks before exiting in a landmark sale to Van Wagner Communications. He later co-founded P3 Global Management, shaping global smart city policy and urban innovation, leading to a successful exit to Portobello Capital.

Since 2007, his leadership has been consistently recognized worldwide for advancing global diplomacy, multilateralism, and sustainable development. He has received international honors, including the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, knighthoods from Spain and Ethiopia, and recognition from His Holiness Pope Francis for his commitment to economic inclusion, policy innovation, and public-private cooperation.

He holds a Bachelor’s in Sociology from Rutgers University, completed the Birthing of Giants® program at MIT, and earned executive diplomas in International Law and Diplomacy from UNITAR.