Ruben Gallego and Sid Espinoza are two inspirational figures and leaders in Hispanic business and politics. Gallego is the 16th District Representative to the Arizona House of Representatives while Sid Espinoza was the first ever elected Hispanic mayor of Palo Alto, CA in 2011. They have given back to their communities through their contributions in the fields of business, politics and philanthropy.
Ruben Gallego: Inspired Leadership and Commitment to Community
Ruben Gallego is a Harvard-educated leader in Arizona politics. He held the vice chair of the Democratic Party in Arizona and was selected to be a delegate to the Democratic National Convention. He currently serves in the Arizona State Legislature as a key member of three committees, including the Military Affairs Committee.
As a former member of the U.S. Marine Corps, Gallego shows a commitment to excellence in all of the political work he has done. Though he has only been in office for just over a year, he has sponsored a wide variety of bills designed to improve conditions for our nation's veterans, prioritize infrastructure repair and give back to the next generation by implementing strong educational agendas.
Gallego has received numerous accolades and honors, including but not limited to being listed on the Chicanos Por La Causa 40 Under 40 Hispanic Leaders, being named the 2011 Courageous Legislator of the Year by the Arizona Chamber of Commerce, and being listed as the 2011 Leader of the Year in Public Policy by the Arizona Capitol Times. Finally, he was listed as one of Phoenix's 40 individuals under 40 who are leading the way forward for the future of business.
Through it all, this Hispanic business leader leader has maintained a service-oriented mindset, perhaps honed through his time with the Marines. Ruben Gallego believes in offering his talents and his passions for the sake of his community, his state and his country.
Sid Espinoza: Business Philanthropy Advocate and Passion for Social Improvement
Hispanic business leader and mayor Sid Espinoza got his start in the world at a national level, working in the offices of Attorney General Janet Reno under the Clinton administration. He has said that this work with someone who, in his words, "has spent her entire career...making the world a better place" inspired him for his entire professional life.
Espinoza began his business philanthropic work in 2000 when he joined the Hewlett-Packard Company as a consultant on government and public policy issues. He spent the next eight years working to bridge the gap between the corporate and government world for the sake of the local, national and international community as HP's Director of Global Philanthropy. Due to Espinoza's advocacy, HP invested tens of millions of dollars in a wide variety of non-profits, schools and aid organizations in all 50 U.S. states as well as 60 countries around the world.
During this time, Espinoza gave lectures all around the country on corporate social responsibility, speaking especially to Silicon Valley companies rapidly gaining ascendance on the international stage.
During his stint on the Palo Alto City Council in 2007-2010 and as mayor of Palo Alto in 2011, Espinoza has advocated for a wide range of social improvements, including library and school investment, homeless shelters, environmental causes and emergency preparedness. He has a reputation as an independent thinker, and he frequently speaks on the importance of fiscal responsibility as well.
Espinoza's main goal is to use his position of authority as a respected mayor, global citizen and Hispanic business leader to give back and to improve the lives of everyone in his community.
* * *
These two exceptional Latino business leaders are great examples of the American Dream in the 21st century. As we enter Hispanic Heritage month, we like to consider the exemplary members of the Latino community who have shown us how and why we strive for greatness. Like Ruben Gallego and Sid Espinoza, we want to become leaders so we can give back to the families, neighborhoods and communities that made us who we are today.
Related Links
