About the Latino Leadership Network
LLN Video Premiere
Through the Power of Connection: Invest, Inspire, and Serve
The Latino Leadership Network (LLN) is a business resource group for people working in Washington State government. We are Latinos and allies working to build, connect, and inspire our peers and people seeking to join public service. We are driven to prepare outstanding Latino leaders and a qualified workforce that will serve our state today and tomorrow.
While LLN uses the term “Latino,” we use the term for anyone who identifies as Hispanic, Latino, Latina, Latine, Latinx, Latin@, Chicano, or uses other similar identifiers.
Latine Defined – From the LLN Charter
Latine individuals represent communities that span from the North, Central, South American continents, and Caribbean islands that that were colonized by the Spanish Empire. Our heritage not only reflects the Spanish colonizers but equally reflects the indigenous heritage and traditions of the people who existed prior to colonization and continue to exist. This heritage is inextricably connected with the Black community through our survival and flourishing despite these systems. Our identities are varied and based on family histories, traditions, and shared experiences. As our self understanding and discovery grow, we expect that our definitions and appreciation of identities will also grow and progress.
Our Mission
Through the Power of Connection: Invest, Inspire and Serve
Our Values
Leadership
Respect
Diversity, equity, and inclusion
Excellence
Innovation
Public service
Professionalism
Legacy and heritage
What we do
Networking
Promote professional development
Encourage leadership opportunities
Practice diversity and inclusion skills
Promote cultural connection and awareness
Celebrate our culture
Be catalysts for change
Be ambassadors at our agencies and communities
LLN Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM) Events
LULA Fest - We are partnering with Olympia’s Hispanic Heritage Month Lula Fest on September 27, 2025 in downtown Olympia, WA. Lula Fest celebration is a vibrant celebration of Hispanic and Latinx heritage and cultures through live music, vendors, food trucks, custom cars and more. The event is hosted by Ultimano Comms+. It is family friendly and free to attend. All are welcome! Watch the Promo Video! Flyer
Hispanic Heritage Month Theme - Hasta La Raiz
One page HHM event Flyer - pdf file
Long Version HHM Flyer with descriptions
General Meeting Information can be found in our Newsletter
Hispanic Heritage Month Kickoff - September 9th, 2025 – Video Recording
Special Guests: Trío Guadalevín members, Antonio Gomez, Abel Rocha, and Gus Denhard,
October General Meeting: Continue our HHM Celebration - October 14th, 2025
Special Guests: Dolores Huerta Foundation
Register for our LLN HHM Virtual Events, Thursdays: 11:45 - 1:15
September 18th Herminia Esqueda – El Poder De Nuestra Historia - Video Recording
September 25th – Nancy Aguilar (CHA)- Hispanic Heritage Month - ¿Cómo andamos?
October 2nd : Abel Rocha and His Songs of the People (Spanish)
October 9th :Estefania Martinez: Decolonizing Our Identity
October 16th: Alma Navarrete: Culturally Aligned Mental Health Supports Thru EAP
October 23rd :Dia De Los Muertos
Register for our Latino Leadership Network HHM Virtual Lunch and Learn Zoom meetings, here
HHM Backgrounds
1) Agriculture-Yellow 2) Hasta La Raiz- Blue 3) Flowers-Blue 4) Flower-Orange 5) Cactus- Green 6) Flowers2-Blue
LLN Book List curated by Estefania Martinez Limo
Community Events, News, and Resources
Community Hispanic Heritage Month Events:
2025 Latina Health Symposium. This annual event is a forum for community health workers, public health professionals, Latino community members, and social service professionals to come together to learn about and discuss health-related topics that impact Hispanic/Latina women. The planning committee has worked hard to make everyone’s safety a priority at these events.
Latina Health Symposium Events (NOTE: At every location, only registered attendees will be permitted in the space):
Spokane, WA. Friday, September 26 from 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM
The event is free, but you need to register to attend. If you are registering for more than one person, please register each person separately.
MEXAM NW Festival. September 4-October 9, 2025. MEXAM NW Festival 2025 is an exhilarating multi-event, multi-venue festival that spotlights the vibrant tapestry of contemporary Hispanic and Mexican-American culture. Curated by the Consulate of Mexico in Seattle and proudly presented by Delta - Aeromexico Airlines, MEXAM is supported and joined by multiple local partners. We come together in a collective endeavor to celebrate the profound relationship between Hispanic heritage and the United States. Join us as we embrace the diversity of Hispanic culture and revel in the cultural exchange. Visit the Mexam Website for more information.
News:
Read LLN Co-Chair Herminia Esqueda’s statement regarding the effect of the federal administration’s executive orders and policies on the LLN community. Presented at the Governor’s Federal Subcabinet Meeting on April 22, 2025, it discusses how the Governor’s subcabinet can support those who are being directly impacted by the federal administration’s policies and orders.
Monthly Newsletters
Use this link to subscribe to the LLN Newsletter
LLN Newsletter Hispanic Heritage Month Edition
Resources
Know Your Rights: Resources on Immigrant Rights
Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network Hotline: 1-844-724-3737.
Now This Impact Videos
The WA State Attorney General’s Office Missing Indigenous Persons Toolkit is a collection of ideas, tasks and suggestions of what can be done to support a family facing crisis and easy to respond in an organized manner when one of ours goes missing or is found murdered.
1954 Documentary Salt of the Earth is Available from Kanopy (via a public library card)
Banned at the time of its initial release and made by blacklisted filmmakers, this bold, radical film tells the story of Mexican-American workers who call a strike over the unsafe work conditions and unequal wages they receive in comparison to their white co-workers at a Zinc mine in New Mexico.
Ramon Quintero (Juan Chacon) organizes the strike but is shown to be a hypocrite, treating his pregnant wife (Rosaura Revueltas) with similar unfairness. However, after an injunction keeps the men from their protest, the gender roles are reversed. As the women protest at the picket lines while the men stay at home, Salt of the Earth makes glaringly clear the vital importance of women in the fight against inequality on intersecting fronts.
Chosen to be preserved by the USA National Film Preservation Board and winner of the Crystal Globe and Best Actress (Rosaura Revueltas) awards at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival.
Monthly Meeting and Membership Information
Take the LLN Member Survey
Please complete this quick survey to let us know if you have any interest in volunteering or serving in leadership positions or on a committee. We also ask about possible segments and meaningful topics you’d like to see discussed at future monthly meetings. Your input on how we can improve your membership meeting experience is invaluable.
General membership meetings take place every second Tuesday of the month from 3-5PM.
Join Zoom Meeting | Meeting ID: 996 2578 6625 | Passcode: None | Join by Phone: 253-215-8782
Get Involved!
Volunteers and presenters needed for 2025 Hispanic Heritage Month
Do you want to expand your presentation skills, get involved with LLN and meet new people? Volunteers and presenters are needed for HHM 2025! Here are just some of the ways to get involved:
Virtual Lunch and Learns.
BRG and agency requests for LLN presentations.
October HHM general meeting.
Lula Festival Olympia.
Deliver an existing HHM presentation to your team, another team or an office in your area.
LLN will offer a Train the Trainer workshop for LLN members who are interested in delivering an HHM presentation to different groups or agencies around the state. We aim to create a team of individuals who are available across the state. If you are interested in any of these opportunities, would like to know about more opportunities or would just like to provide feedback about our HHM events, please complete our 2025 HHM planning survey!
LLN Board and Committees
Are you eager to get involved in LLN work? Volunteer for one of the vacant positions by writing us at LLN@OFM.WA.GOV.
Executive board
Executive Sponsor: David Puente (DVA)
Co-Chair: Herminia Esqueda
Co-Chair: Vacant. Please volunteer!
Executive Adm. Asst./Secretary: Sedona Leza
Secretary: Karen Gonzalez
Treasurer: Makaela Kroin
committee leads and Descriptions
Communications Director: Shape our message and connect with our audience. Communication and Marketing Director: Lorraine Peterson
Communications: Monica Corral
Website: Vacant. Please volunteer!
Best Practices: Improve our processes. Lead: Tony Griego
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI): Foster inclusive practices and equity. Leads: Herminia Esqueda & Zenaida Rojas
Health and Wellness: Advocate for member well-being. Lead: Vacant. Please volunteer!
Membership and Outreach: Engage and expand our community. Membership & Outreach Lead: Theresa Sanchez
Events: Organize in-person and virtual gatherings. Lead: Jose Romo Ramirez
Speaker Outreach: Anita Rocha
Performer Outreach and Volunteer Lead: Jose Romo Ramirez
Virtual Events: Lead: Vacant. Please volunteer!
Watch Our Videos on the LLN YouTube Channel
General Membership Meetings Identified by Special Topic
LLN Meeting on Neurodivergence in the Immigrant Family
LLN Meeting on Storytelling Highlighting 2SLGBTQ+ Experiences in Latine Culture
2024 Hispanic Heritage Month Lunch and Learn Presentations
Understanding the State Recruiting Process by Steve Camerer and Jose Dominguez
My Musical Tejano Family by Herminia Esqueda
Spanglish in Government: Bridging Cultures and Enhancing Communication by Estefania Martinez Limo
DEI Empowerment Conference Presentations
2024 Presentation on Supporting Leadership and Utilizing BRGs to Recruit and Retain Latine Employees by Herminia Esqueda and Tony Griego
Contact Information
E-mail our group or find us on our social media: