Leading Through Change, Ambiguity and Uncertainty

OCT 10, 2025

Dr. Patty Delgado

Leading with Cultural Competency and Identity:
Harnessing Latino Cultural Drivers for Inclusive Leadership

In today’s increasingly multicultural and AI-influenced work environment, cultural competency is not just a soft skill; it’s a strategic advantage. This workshop centers on Latino/Hispanic/LatinX/ Latine professionals and their unique opportunity to lead through cultural identity and lived experience. Participants will explore the foundational principles of cultural competency, including self-awareness, empathy, and cross-cultural collaboration. Through the lens of El Puente Institute’s Latino Cultural Drivers™, attendees will deeply reflect on their own cultural values, leadership styles, and identity-based strengths. The session will emphasize the importance of understanding one's own cultural identity as the starting point for leading effectively in diverse teams and environments. This workshop blends self-awareness, leadership development, and identity-affirming practices to help participants lead with purpose, inspire through authenticity, and build inclusive cultures where diversity thrives. Learning Objectives:

  • Understand the essential components of cultural competency and how they support inclusive leadership in diverse environments.

  • Reflect on Latino/Hispanic/LatinX self-identity and assess how cultural background influences leadership style, communication, and decision-making.

  • Explore the El Puente Institute’s Cultural Drivers™ as assets that can elevate leadership presence, team engagement, and organizational impact.

  • Practice strategies for leading diverse teams by fostering understanding, adaptability, and cultural humility.

Dr. Patty Delgado, Executive Director & Co-Founder of El Puente Institute El Puente Institute (Sister company of The Bridgify Group, LLC)

Kim Svoboda

Leading Through Inflection Points:
What the Best Leaders Get Right

In today’s rapidly changing world, leaders face immense pressure to adapt, connect, and perform. This inspiring and practical session explores what high-impact leaders consistently do to thrive during moments of uncertainty. Drawing from the leadership playbooks of Satya Nadella and Marc Benioff—and infused with the BOLD Leadership® framework—we’ll explore how to lead with purpose, empathy, and clarity. Attendees will leave with actionable insights to foster trust, model a learning mindset, and elevate performance while staying true to their values and culture.

Kim Svoboda, Founder/CEO, Aspiration Catalyst®

Kim Svoboda is the CEO and Founder of Aspiration Catalyst®, a leadership development firm that helps organizations grow excuse-proof, goal-crushing teams. With over 25 years of experience leading high-performing teams and building businesses in the tech sector, Kim is a trusted advisor to CEOs, senior executives, and high-potential leaders. She is the creator of the BOLD Leadership® framework and author of the upcoming book The Adventure of BOLD Leadership. Kim serves as Chairperson of the Board of Directors for the Better Business Bureau of Chicago and on the Board of Advisors for the Executives’ Club of Chicago. Known for her energetic and practical approach, Kim equips leaders to navigate change, elevate performance, and lead with purpose and impact.

Lori Marie Huerta

Navigating the Fog:
Leadership in Times of Change and Uncertainty

In today’s rapidly shifting landscape, leaders are constantly challenged by ambiguity, disruption, and evolving cultural expectations. This interactive session will explore how Latino leaders can thrive in uncertainty by leaning into cultural strengths such as adaptability, collective resilience, and corazón-driven leadership. Participants will engage in real-world case scenarios, self-reflection, and collective dialogue to sharpen their ability to lead through change while staying grounded in values and community.

Lori Marie Huertas is an award-winning educator, author, and mother. She is the Assistant Director of Inclusive Excellence Partnerships, a Doctoral Student, and an Adjunct Psychology Professor at MSU Denver.

My journey has been shaped by resilience, adaptability, and a deep commitment to lifting others as I climb. Born in New York and raised in Puerto Rico until I was 15, I experienced firsthand the richness of cultural diversity and the challenges of navigating different worlds. Moving back to the mainland U.S. as a teenager instilled in me the ability to adapt, thrive in new environments, and embrace change with confidence. As a college sophomore, I took an unexpected but transformative step into the corporate world, working for a distributor of Coca-Cola International. This role took me across Latin America as a female salesperson in a male-dominated industry. Traveling, negotiating, and building relationships in diverse cultural contexts reinforced my conviction that diversity is not just an asset, but a necessity, in business and leadership. Pursuing my master’s degree in counseling psychology allowed me to channel my passion for helping others, particularly by working with pregnant single mothers to instill hope and resilience in their lives. Now, as I prepare to graduate with my Doctorate in Organizational Leadership, I see how every experience, corporate sales, counseling, academia, and authorship, has equipped me to lead, mentor, and inspire others. Writing and publishing books has given me a voice to share stories that matter, and being selected as a Career Catalyst at MSU Denver and featured in their marketing commercial reaffirmed my purpose: to empower others to see beyond their circumstances and achieve their full potential.

We are proud to be supported by Adage, DelCor, HighRoad Solutions, RSM and Wipfli, among other notable sponsors who are integral to the success of this summit.

Event Sponsors