About Us
Our Mission
Since 2015, GNHCC has worked to achieve inclusion and growth for Latinx and Hispanic-owned businesses and entrepreneurs. As the fastest growing population in our region, and America as a whole, they are what make Norwalk the perfect place to do business — an integral part of the social fabric, culture, struggles, and achievements of our nation.
Having a diverse workforce, with people from different racial, educational and social backgrounds, and a diverse age ranges, helps to encourage creativity and foster innovation. There’s also a clear competitive advantage to be gained from employing a diverse workforce. An organization with a diverse range of employees is well placed to understand the needs of a wide range of customers.
Our Approach
To achieve our mission, we provide our members a professional network, educational opportunities, and exposure throughout the Greater Norwalk region. We organize social events for members and their guests, professional-led workshops on various topics in business management, and share information about similar events organized by other organizations.
We use our website and social media profiles to provide members ongoing opportunities to connect. It is also a marketing platform for member news, events, and promotions. We maintain a strong online presence, and our followers depend on us to keep informed.
Politically, we advocate for the rights of our community at the local and federal levels. One of our main tenets is bilingualism. While English is spoken by 339 million people across 106 countries, Spanish is spoken by 427 million people across 31 countries. On our website, you will find that several of the sections are presented in both English and Spanish.
Board of Directors
Zayed Rodriguez MSc, RICP
Zayed A. Rodriguez MSc, RICP, is a Financial Professional specialized in Retirement Planning focused on helping individuals and business owners to achieve their financial and retirement goals.
Before becoming a Financial Professional on Wall Street, Zayed ran his own company for more than 7 years and helped small businesses close multi-million-dollar contracts. During his time as a successful business owner, he realized it was not only important to know how to make money; but it was equally important to manage it and put it to work for you to achieve your retirement goal faster.
Originally from Mexico, Zayed graduated from UConn, has a master’s degree from KEDGE Business School in France, and holds a Retirement Income Certified Professional designation from the American College of Financial Services. Zayed is involved with organizations that help the growth and success of the Hispanic community.
Alejandro Restrepo
Alejandro Restrepo is the President and Co-Owner of PuroClean of Wilton | Ridgefield. A Hispanic, family owned, and operated disaster restoration business based out of South Wilton. He was born in Colombia and moved to America at the age of 4 with his family looking for a better opportunity. He was raised in a family of business owners. Neither his mother or father spoke English, yet built a successful house cleaning company. He is a dedicated husband to his wife Jennifer and a loving dad to his 4-year-old daughter.
Prior to his current role, Alejandro spent 13.5 years in the insurance industry working for Travelers Insurance. His career started as a Property Claims Adjuster, handling claims in Westchester and Manhattan Counties. Having a calling to make a difference and a drive to help people during times of need he joined Travelers National Catastrophe Response Team. He responded to severe weather events nationally and in Canada. Later moving on and becoming a Claim Manager. Alejandro is a fluent speaker of both Spanish and English, he drives his company and team to exceed client expectations on every job. Alejandro looks to provide assistance to the local community during their time of need. As a newly elected Trustee of the GNHCC, he looks to provide guidance to the Hispanic community in their business endeavor
Edgar R. Abreu Jr., CPA
Edgar Rodrigues Abreu Jr., is a CPA as well as an auditing and accounting professional. Since starting his career with ERNST & YOUNG over 25 years ago, Edgar has been working as an auditor providing his expertise in financial, operational and compliance audits to companies such as Warnaco, Texaco, Pitney Bowes, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, US Tobacco, GE Capital and Synchrony Financial.
Starting in 2005, Edgar also owned and operated his own tax service company, Abreu Tax Services, providing tax preparation and financial services through Primerica to his clients. Most recently he started a new full service tax and accounting company called Abreu & Affiliates, LLC dba Abreu CPA and has continued working with Primerica to offer tax preparation, accounting and financial services to his clients.
Julio Cardenas
Julio I. Cardenas founded iTranslate Professional Services, LLC in 2015, a company that provides certified and culturally oriented translation in over 40 languages. Initially, iTranslate served local individuals and businesses, but it has continuously grown to other communities in California, Florida, Massachusetts, and Texas.
Julio, a native of Peru, moved to Connecticut when he was ten years old. At an early age, he translated and interpreted for his parents. He became their voice during difficult times by advocating, defending, and protecting them. He aims to put into practice the values his parents instilled in him by helping the less fortunate. For instance, he raised relief funds for natural disasters that occurred in Peru and Ecuador. He also organized activities to help Peruvian children who are homeless or orphaned. Julio works to impart the same values and traditions to his children to continue these efforts for many generations to come.
Monica Caballero
Monica Caballero is the creator of “EXPLORANDO CON HIJOS” a family friendly social media hub, as a very family oriented person she loves to travel, exploring places and having fun with her daughter Luna and her husband Rafael.
The @explorandoconhijos a page is a place where we concentrate on giving families information, Tips about things to do with kids and also places to go with them in Connecticut and the whole country exclusively in spanish.
Silvia Santacruz
Silvia decided to enter Real Estate in 2004 at 22 years of age. She’s been fortunate enough to have been mentored by top reputable teams the first 13 years of my career. She can put that knowledge and experience to work for you with my own personal “compassionate” touch. She will listen to your goals, put herself in your shoes, and work hard for you! You will be treated in a professional manner and with respect and kindness. Communicating with you every step of the way will be a priority for her! There’s nothing worse than not knowing what’s going on, not getting your questions answered or not knowing what the next steps are. She’s committed to providing the highest level of service to every buyer, seller and investor that chooses to hire her.
Kathleen Rojas
Bio Forthcoming
Jenny Acurio
Notario Público, Traducciones y formularios de inmigración
Steven Lopez
Steven Lopez, born and raised in Norwalk, CT, is a dedicated advocate for the Latino community, with parents from Costa Rica and Puerto Rico. He is deeply committed to empowering the Latino population to achieve success while staying true to their cultural roots and heritage.
With over a decade of comprehensive experience in the healthcare industry, Steven has developed a dynamic career that blends clinical and administrative leadership. He currently serves as a Clinical Healthcare Administrator for the Connecticut region of The Vascular Care Group, one of the largest and most innovative outpatient vascular surgery organizations in the country. His expertise spans clinical and non-clinical operations, best practices, and health informatics, and he is driven by a passion for improving patient care and advancing operational excellence.
Steven is also actively engaged in his professional and local community, holding memberships in the Greater Norwalk Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Norwalk Chamber of Commerce, the Stamford Chamber of Commerce, and the National Association of Latino Healthcare Executives. His involvement in these organizations reflects his commitment to fostering leadership, diversity, and inclusion.
In addition to his healthcare career, Steven serves as the Latin dance instructor for StudioArte in Norwalk. His passion for Latin dance extends beyond instruction, as he is also the founder and director of Latin Elements Dance Company, a premier dance company in Norwalk specializing in all forms of Latin dance, including competitive performances. Through his company, Steven brings the vibrancy of Latino culture to a broader audience, inspiring dancers of all backgrounds to appreciate and celebrate the richness of Latin dance and heritage.
Maritza Cano
Maritza Cano, a Loan Officer at HomeFi Digital Mortgage, originally hails from Destin, FL. However, driven by her ambition to replicate her company’s success in the North East, she took it upon herself to establish the HomeFi branch in Norwalk, CT. Maritza’s roots trace back to New York, where she was raised by Colombian parents deeply ingrained in family-owned businesses. At the age of 9, her parents relocated to Norwalk, CT, where they pioneered the first Colombian restaurant/bakery in the area. Witnessing her parents’ dedication and the transformation of customers into an extended family ignited Maritza’s passion for teaching.
Before embarking on her career as a loan officer, Maritza spent over 15 years as a professional nanny and school educator. Her academic journey includes an associate degree in Early Childhood Education and Teaching, a bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Connecticut, and a master’s degree in Elementary Education and Teaching from Ashford University. Teaching has always been Maritza’s calling, and when presented with the chance to impart knowledge to the community that nurtured her, she seized it without hesitation. Maritza eagerly anticipates empowering the Spanish-speaking community in building wealth within the very community that contributed to her upbringing.
Danellys Pirella
I am a professional dedicated to working with Hispanic families, guiding them in making key decisions to protect their loved ones and develop guaranteed savings, whether for retirement or educational funds.
I specialize in providing personalized tools to small and medium-sized business owners, helping them offer group benefits for key employees or family members, thus strengthening their businesses and financial security.
My mission is to support the Hispanic community in creating lasting legacies for future generations through strategic and effective financial planning.