Latino Entrepreneurial Network of Wisconsin Wins National Award in Los Angeles

PRLog (Press Release) - Sep. 20, 2012 - Latino Entrepreneurial Network of Southeastern Wisconsin (LEN) was named 2012 United States Medium Sized Chamber of the Year by the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) today in Los Angeles California during the 33rd Annual USHCC Convention. This is the second national award the organization received, as it was named the 2010 U.S. Small Sized Chamber of the Year.

Founded in 2005 by a group of nine committed entrepreneurs, LEN has become a premier organization focused on helping American entrepreneurs with ethnically diverse backgrounds. Over 500 individuals have benefited from culturally relevant educational opportunities, conferences and one-on-one technical assistance provided by the group of volunteers who manage LEN.

“Strategic partnerships have been the pillars of the growth for our organization as we moved from a small sized chamber (under 250) to medium sized (between 250-500 per the USHCC)”, states Christopher M. Castillo, LEN co-founder and President of the Board. Following a collaborative model with the Hmong Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce, The Business Council and the Hispanic Professional Association of Racine, LEN has leveraged existing resources without duplication. “We are a perfect example of what a group of volunteers committed to a mission with tons of passion for helping the underserved can accomplish”, stated Nelson Soler, Founding Executive Director of LEN, and Chief Solutions Officer of the Multicultural Entrepreneurial Institute, Inc.

The organization is committed to uphold its values of diversity, integrity, professional development and environmental stewardship while serving underserved entrepreneurs in their quest to self-sufficiency in a collaborative model with our strategic partners. Special thanks to Dr. Tony Baez of El Centro Hispano who has hosted the organization for four years. Wells Fargo recently donated a duplex, in the heart of Clarke Square, where LEN’s new headquarters and Business Center of Excellence will be established. We must also recognize our corporate partners: Eric Lowder, Regional Manager at Prudential Financial for supporting LEN’s wealth management programs; Danni Yegge, Manager of Sam’s Club for supporting youth programs; Eugene Manzanet of PNC Bank and Melissa Foerster of US Bank for supporting LEN fairs and multiple engagements.

About LEN

LEN’s mission is to bridge individuals, entrepreneurs and microenterprises with resources through strategic alliance formation, networking and sharing of business and financial practices. All members take a pledge to uphold the organization’s values of acting with integrity, maintaining high ethics, sharing knowledge, investing in our community and fostering professionalism.  

The Latino Entrepreneurial Network of Southeastern Wisconsin, Incorporated (LEN) was recently awarded the 2010 Best Small Chamber in the United States and the 2008-2009 Best Small Chamber of the Midwest by the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) located in Washington DC.

LEN is a 501c3 nonprofit private membership corporation with the mission of empowering entrepreneurs and their families through entrepreneurial and financial education. For more information, contact Nelson Soler at 414.383.4633 or Christopher Castillo at 414.732.7326.  

For more information, please visit: http://www.lenwi.org

Photo:
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