Season 3- Episode 10: José Calderón and leadership trajectory.
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Tania and Peter talk to José about his Leadership trajectory.
José Calderón is the former President of the Hispanic Federation (HF), the nation’s premier Latino nonprofit membership organization. José manages HF’s overall operations with a primary focus on strategic planning, program development, public policy advocacy and resource development. He is a leading advocate for Hispanic grassroots organizations and pro-Latino legislation locally and nationwide.
José has worked in various capacities for the Federation since 2001, including Program Coordinator, Program Director, Vice President and Senior Vice President. During that time, he has helped develop and launch several of HF’s most important initiatives including its Latino College Success Program, Workforce Development ABLE project, Board Leadership Development Initiative, DREAMers Scholarship Fund, Diabetes Awareness Campaign, Latino Immigration Task Force, among others. He has also spearheaded HF’s civic engagement efforts, helping to register and mobilize hundreds of thousands of voters in key federal and local elections over the last decade.
As the Federation's principal spokesperson, José works to disseminate the organization's public policy positions to the media, public officials, the private sector and the community at large. Through public hearings, weekly newspaper columns and Federation-produced radio and television shows, he also works to educate Latinos about issues and services of critical importance to them and their families.
José currently serves as Co-Chair of the Immigration Committee of the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA), a coalition of the leading Latino organizations in the nation. He also serves on the advisory committee for The Aspen Institute’s Roundtable on Community Change. A recipient of numerous awards and recognitions, José is most proud and grateful for the continued support and acknowledgments he receives from HF's network of Latino nonprofits.