During the event, Arce was a part of the Community Investment Roundtable and joined a discussion around the transformative power of public-private partnerships, discussing their impact on inclusive growth in underserved communities, the motivations behind such investments, and how private sector institutions can effectively partner with government and community organizations to foster equitable economic ecosystems.

"It was an honor to join a diverse group of expert thought leaders to discuss fostering equitable economic development through the pillars of business diversity, equitable workforce development, and strategies for community investment in underserved communities," said Maite Arce, President and CEO of Hispanic Access Foundation. "For more than a decade, Hispanic Access Foundation has invested in underserved communities by breaking down barriers faced by our Latino community and establishing bridges that provide access to equity, advancement and security.

The goal of this year's convening is to leverage the Administration and the Department's equitable economic development efforts, including the Business Diversity Principles Initiative and its pillars–executive leadership, organizational strategy, workforce development, human resources, community investment and business opportunities.

“From engaging Latinos in the outdoors and fostering leadership in conservation to creating hundreds of internships and stimulating diversity within our nation’s government agencies, Hispanic Access is catapulting Latinos into action and elevating their voices,” said Arce.

This year’s convening featured government, corporate, and nonprofit leaders, along with the keynote speaker, Janice Bryant Howroyd, the CEO and founder of the largest minority and women-owned Human Resources firm in the nation. To learn more about the convening, visit https://www.commerce.gov/about/equity/interagency-convening-equitable-economic-growth.