About the Latino Leadership Network

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 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.

LLN Membership Flyer

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.

Our Vision

Connecting and inspiring Washington State’s Latino workforce and leaders of today and tomorrow.

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

News You Can Use and Events

If you’re interested in subscribing to LLN’s newsletter sign up here.

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.

May 2025 LLN Newsletter

LLN Newsletter Special Cinco de Mayo Edition

April 2025 LLN Newsletter

March 2025 LLN Newsletter

Special In-Person Events During May

Simposio Mujeres Latinas on May 17, 2025 at North Seattle College. A free event with speakers, networking, etc.

Free concert at Sportsman State Park in Yakima, WA on May 18, 2025, featuring Trío Guadalevín, La Cantina, and La Familia Hunter.

Special Events During June

Virtual Washington State DEI Empowerment Conference, June 4-23, 2025. Theme: Embedding Meaningful Access and Inclusion in Everything. Learn more about the conference sessions and register here.

LLN members Herminia Esqueda and Karen Gonzalez, along with Teddy Kemirembe, will present at the Washington DEI Empowerment Conference on June 12, 2025 from 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. Their session will focus on immigration policies and how they impact state employees. It will provide an overview of immigrant statuses and debunk misconceptions by providing facts about the immigrant community. Participants will learn about how to advocate and be an ally for immigrant employees.

The People’s Gathering, June 10, 2025. In conjunction with the Washington State DEI Conference, The People’s Gathering will be from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Tacoma Campus of The Evergreen State College. This is a free event and lunch will be provided. Only 150 people will be allowed to register, and registration will close without warning.

LNI 2025 Juneteenth Celebration, June 13, 2025. Join other State employees from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at L&I Headquarters in Tumwater for this event and stop by the LLN info table!

Washington Immigrant Network (WIN) Celebration, June 18, 2025. Join WIN as they celebrate Immigrant Heritage Month from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at L&I Headquarters in Tumwater, WA. Although this is a free event for State employees, the public is welcome.

Special Events During July

Disability Inclusion Network Respect Acceptance Dignity Disabilities (RADD) Awards, July 23, 2025. See the DIN website for more information.

Resources

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People Awareness Day is May 5th. Watch the Office for Victims of Crime video, “Missing or Murdered Indigenous People: Bringing Loved Ones Home.”

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.

Attend our Monthly General Membership Meetings

General membership meetings take place every second Tuesday of the month from 3-5PM.

Join Zoom Meeting | Meeting ID: 874 2469 2402 | Passcode: 791987 | Phone Number: 253-205-0468

Get Involved!

Are you eager to get involved in LLN work? Volunteer for one of the vacant positions by writing us at LLN@OFM.WA.GOV.

LLN Board and Committees

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: Shape our message and connect with our audience. Communication and Marketing Director: Lorraine Peterson

Communications: Monica Corral
Website: Amanda Espinosa-Aguilar

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!

Connect with the OFM Book Club!

Get ready to turn the pages! ICSEW is bringing back the Book Club, and we are teaming up with our awesome Business Resource Groups (BRG) to make it happen. The Book Club will operate as a dedicated committee under the ICSEW Engagement Subcommittee.

We aim to create a rotating schedule of books hosted by various BRGs. We are currently developing necessary policies, procedures, facilitator training, and resource materials to ensure a successful launch.

The Hawaiians, Asians, and Pacific Islanders Promoting Empowerment Network (HAPPEN) has generously offered to host the Summer 2025 Book Club that will discuss Yellowface by Rebecca F. Kuang. Meetings will take place from 1-2PM. Reach out via our email address for more information.

June 26, chapters 1-3

July 10, chapters 4-7

July 24, chapters 8-12

August 7, chapters 13-16

August 21, chapters 17-20

September 4, chapters 21-14