Washington, DC — Feb 27 — Aspen Conexión, a policy program of the Aspen Institute, and the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) today signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen collaboration aimed at expanding economic opportunities for Hispanic-led small and mid-sized businesses in the United States and abroad.
The agreement was signed by Pilar Frank-O’Leary, Executive Director of Aspen Conexión; Elliot Gerson, Executive Vice President, Policy Programs and International Partners at the Aspen Institute, Ramiro A. Cavazos, President and CEO of the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; and Evelyn Barahona, Senior Vice President, Educational Fund at the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, joined by Francisco Sanchez, Advisory Board Chair of Aspen Conexión and Jackie Puente, USHCC Board Chair.
Through this partnership, Aspen Conexión and USHCC will explore joint initiatives that strengthen the ecosystem supporting small and mid-sized firms, expand access to domestic and international markets, and elevate the role of Hispanic Chambers of Commerce across key U.S. districts. The collaboration will also emphasize aligning trade, investment, and industrial policy with inclusive economic outcomes, ensuring that emerging growth opportunities are accessible to a broader set of entrepreneurs and communities globally across borders.
The partnership will take several forms, including knowledge exchange, joint convenings, network-building, technical assistance and grant-supported projects, and other cooperative activities that elevate Hispanic business leadership and connect it more directly to the broader institutions shaping opportunity and innovation across the Americas.
The signing took place in conjunction with Aspen Conexión’s thought leadership forum, convening leaders across business, policy, finance, and international trade to examine the future of U.S. Hispanic leadership and business competitiveness in the Americas. The forum explored how nearshoring, supply chain realignment, and regional market integration can translate into more inclusive growth for U.S. businesses—especially when cultural competency and community-rooted networks are treated as strategic assets.
“Latino-owned businesses are a growing competitive advantage for the U.S. economy—and a vital force in how the United States competes globally across the Americas. Aspen Conexión is proud to work alongside USHCC to accelerate local-to-global pathways for Hispanic entrepreneurs, connecting regional business leadership to the institutions shaping trade, finance, and investment. This is how we translate economic momentum into long-term, inclusive growth,” noted Pilar Frank-O’Leary, Executive Director, Aspen Conexión.
Under the MOU, the organizations will pursue collaboration across areas including entrepreneurship and business growth, access to capital and public finance, domestic and international trade, and other issues affecting U.S. Hispanic communities and the economic ties between the United States, Latin America, Spain, and global markets.
“This partnership reflects our shared commitment to ensuring that Hispanic-owned businesses are fully included in the economic opportunities shaping the future of the American economy,” said Ramiro A. Cavazos, President & CEO of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. “By connecting our entrepreneurs to new markets, capital, and cross-border networks, we strengthen U.S. competitiveness and unlock prosperity for communities across our hemisphere. The USHCC is proud to work with Aspen Conexión to build a more inclusive, innovative, and globally connected economy.”