Like many of our community organizations, the Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GPHCC) was established in 1990 by a committed group of Hispanic business professionals and individuals in response to the pressing need to create an organization that would respond to the various needs of the growing Hispanic business community. Learn more about how the GPHCC can help you »

Professional Mentoring Network Holds Executive Leadership and Diversity Panel



The Professional Mentoring Network hosted the Executive Leadership and Diversity Forum on April 13, 2012. The panel included three seasoned executives of small to mid-size companies in the greater Philadelphia region: Mr. Robert J. Ciaruffioli, CEO, ParenteBeard LLC, Roseline Hernandez Marston, CEO, A.D. Marble and James E. Nevels, Chairman of The Swarthmore Group. President and CEO of GPHCC, Varsovia Fernandez served as moderator of the panel.

Among the forty guests, were professionals,executives and business owners from various industries seeking to understand and learn about perspectives in diversity and executive leadership. The panelists shared their experience and insights about the role of diversity in leadership and how professionals can both define and develop their leadership paths. Guests heard about the importance of shared corporate values, being at the table, keeping up one’s word, mentoring and giving back. Panelists emphasized the shortage of minority engineers, accountants and executives in leadership.


GPHCC Held the 22nd Annual Meeting of the Membership

The Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GPHCC) hosted its 22nd Annual Meeting of the Membership on February 23rd, 2012. The event gathered over 80 members who learned about 2011 acitivites, successes, challenges and the 2012 outlook for the chamber. The Board of Directors and the staff honored GPHCC President and CEO, Varsovia Fernandez with an award marking her six year tenure at GPHCC. 

Chairman of the Board, Paul Lima introduced new members of the Board of Directors; followed with keynotes by Pedro E. Ramos, Esq., Chairman of the School Reform Commission for the School District of Philadelphia whom shared the importance of education in the region's workforce in an open question environment. Corporate partner PECO, an Exelon Company, sponsored the successful event. 

                                                                                    
GPHCC hosted the 2012 Alegria Ball: Fiesta Mexicana

On January 20th, GPHCC hosted the 2012 Alegria Ball: Fiesta Mexicana at Vie in celebration of Hispanic business success and Mexico's splendid and diverse culture. The gala attracted over 400 attendees and featured the 3rd Annual Excelencia Hispanic Business Awards.

Featured photograph includes Paul Lima, Chairman of GPHCC, Sue Murray, Vice PResident of Operations at State Farm, Manuel Trujillo, President of Swain Techs and recipient of the Hispanic Business of Year Award and Varsovia Fernandez, President and CEO of GPHCC. To view photos from the 2012 Alegria Ball , click here.





GPHCC Awarded the National Medium Chamber of the Year Award at USHCC National Convention! 

GPHCC was awarded the National Medium Chamber of the Year Award during the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s 2011 Annual National Convention and Business Expo, and we thank you for your continued support! Due to your commitment for the Hispanic business community, we have been successful during 2010-2011 at fulfilling and delivering GPHCC goals in further developing the business community.

We have been able to engage in the powerful transformation of the city through small business and Latino professional development. For more information please view the press release here. 



GE Hispanic Forum and GPHCC Professional MentoringNetwork Deliver One of a Kind Youth Summit inPartnership with Thomas A. Edison High School

Over 600 GE Hispanic employees from around the world gathered in Philadelphia for their annual conference to address the prevalent drop-out rate among Hispanic youth and the urgent need for mentors. The effort led by the Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GPHCC) Professional Mentoring Network program in partnership with General Electric (GE) Hispanic Forum hosted a day of service at Thomas A. Edison High School in north Philadelphia. GE professionals worked to motivate and encourage high school students to remain engaged in their studies, consider pursuing a college degree and realize their dreams for the future. Ninth and tenth grade students visited area universities together with GE professionals and learned about the opportunities available to them; the exposure to a college campus featured a Junior Achievement presentation and conversations about education and leadership. Professionals shared stories about their upbringing, background, and career by giving in-class presentations and held a college and career success pavilion that allowed twelfth graders to discuss resume writing, professional lifestyles, college applications, and mock interviews one on one with professionals. To read the rest of the article in our newsletter, click here.