NSHMBA History

These articles first appeared in the March 1998 issue of the NSHMBA National Newsletter for the 10th anniversary series in 1998.

• 10 Year Celebration Begins March 8th
• Founding Member Recalls NSHMBA Genesis
• Continuity Was Greatest Challenge in NSHMBA Early Years
• NSHMBA Founder Credits Women for Successful Groundwork
• Past President Applauds Early Local Chapter Boards
• Esquivel Was First Two-Term President

10 Year Celebration Begins March 8th

It's not difficult to get Henry Hernández to discuss the initial days of the National Society of Hispanic MBAs. His memory is flawless, his dedication explicit. "When we first developed the concept, we really were challenged to prove there was a national need for an organization like this," says Mr. Hernández, principal founder and past NSHMBA President. Read on >>

Founding Member Recalls NSHMBA Genesis

Victor Arias, Jr., one of the founding members of NSHMBA, clearly recollects the inception of the organization. With distinct passion, he details the early works of the founding members and the accompanying frustrations and difficulties that challenged the group early on. Read on >>

Continuity Was Greatest Challenge in NSHMBA Early Years

Jesús Fernández has a way of being in the right place when NSHMBA needs help in a hurry. After reading about a Miami chapter in formation in 1988, he attended an informational session and quickly became a volunteer. A short time later, the leading individuals involved in starting the chapter returned to South America and the neoteric Miami group fizzled. Read on >>

NSHMBA Founder Credits Women for Successful Groundwork

How many members today are aware that the first NSHMBA office was located in Maggie Peña's bedroom in Los Angeles? Don't feel bad. No one suspected it in 1988 either. The thanks for that goes to Maggie Peña, NSHMBA founder and former National Chairperson. "I was literally running the organization out of my bedroom," she says. "People would call my house and think we had a full staff. Nobody knew. It was a great marketing ploy!" Read on >>

Past President Applauds Early Local Chapter Boards

Back in 1989, when Victor Arias was pulling Hispanics in business suits off the streets of Chicago (see The Bottom Line, Spring 1998), one of his 'lucky catches' was David Villa. Returning from a 4-year assignment in London, Villa agreed to attend a meeting at Arias' office at LaSalle University. "I just went for the informational meeting. I had been out of school for 10 years at that time."Read on >>

Esquivel Was First Two-Term President

According to Webster's, a vacation is a time of rest away from our duties, like a trip to the seashore, sightseeing or attending a family reunion. Jeanette Esquivel has her own definition: A time to dedicate oneself to an organization. The organization, of course, is NSHMBA. Read on >>