ABOUT ME

I launched my first concept as a college sophomore at just 20 years old. The purpose was to create opportunities for student leaders to apply their education through community outreach projects. Within the first two years of operation, I successfully impacted 42 local organizations and businesses, and led over 2,000 students. Then the 2008 recession happened.

With no job opportunities, I bet on myself and turned that project into my first company. What began as a student-led project quickly evolved into a multi-city event production company. A few short years later, I realized all of the skills I had developed but wasn't monetizing. So I launched my second company to scale and recently launched my third business.

While I have achieved great success, the trials and tribulations of my personal life inspired me to dig deeper. That journey has helped me to proudly share that I'm a first-generation Mexican American, nonbinary, pansexual, longtime business owner, community organizer and mentor. My life purpose is to help those around me access their passions, creativity, and strength to live out their dreams.

TESTIMONIALS

  • "Ricardo produced my first six-city nationwide cooking tour and it was a huge success."

    — Johanna Mirpuri, Creator and Founder at Momma Cuisine

  • "Ricardo's energy is contagious and their work ethic is unmatched. It was the right decision to hire them the instant we met."

    — Sabrina Lippman, Senior Vice President, Portfolio Management at New York City Economic Development Corporation

  • "Ricardo started as my manager and is now my business partner."

    — Jason Rodriguez, Movement Coach, Choreographer and Actor

  • "I had the opportunity to speak at one of Ricardo's first virtual events and it was a great experience."

    — Babatunde Akowe, Esq.,MPA, Alpha Phi Alpha Alumni

  • "Ricardo is a great person to work with and has been a supporter of my career."

    — Mila Jam, Musician

  • "I'm grateful to have had Ricardo as a mentor. Their insight influenced and inspired me to take the next step in my academic career, and puruse a promotion."

    — Angelina Fung, Inclusive Investments Solutions Product Manager, GWM Chief Investment Office at UBS

  • "Ricardo has come a long way since launching in college and it's great to see the impact of their work."

    — Carlos Butler-Vale, Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Constellation Brands

MEDIA COVERAGE

  • LA Times

    A pioneering leader in the LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities

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  • SLACK

    LGBTQIA+ representation in corporate spaces.

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  • SolTalk

    Why stepping into your power is important.

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  • Variety

    The announcement of my latest business venture.

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  • Time & Talent

    I changed the future of volunteerism, here’s how.

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  • Refinery29

    My first 30 Under 30 recognition with industry peers.

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  • NBC

    Biculturalism and the impact of assimilation.

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  • Backstage

    Talent is subjective. Here’s why that matters.

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  • Medium

    Why it’s time to diversify the entertainment industry.

    Read

  • Act Two New York

    Understanding and leveraging my privilege.

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  • Windy City Times

    Representing Chicago’s LGBTQIA+ community.

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  • Halfstack

    The story of how I got started and how far I’ll go.

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  • Chicago Pride

    Why I’m a philanthropist first and how it’s helped me.

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  • NYFA

    Trans Visibility with New York Film Academy.

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