The chamber

Our mission

The West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to working with all members
of the community to increase the economic advancement of Hispanic owned businesses and to assist the
professional growth of Hispanics in West Michigan.

Who We Are

  • Core Values
  • Core Functions

Empower

Educate

Innovate

Collaborate

Advocate

Advocacy

Issues and action development

Business Service

Cost savings, revenue development, and member support

Innovate

Business growth through connections

history

The West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce was founded in 2003 by a group of Hispanic business leaders and business owners with the goal to support the economic advancement of the Hispanic owned businesses and to assist in the professional growth of Hispanic business leaders in West Michigan.

At first, like many grassroots organizations, the Chamber relied on other established entities for support. Davenport University provided physical space to run office duties. At the same time, the Board hired the first part-time executive director to manage the growing demand for services to members. In 2008 the Chamber reached an important milestone by moving to its own office space at 1251 Century Avenue in Grand Rapids and hired a full time Executive Director and a part-time Membership Coordinator who managed the day-to-day operations of the Hispanic Chamber.

Goals and Community Involvement

  • Increase business networking
  • Facilitate trade through public and private contracting
  • Access economic development programs,
    services, and resources
  • Provide business education to members
  • Support economic and cultural understanding
  • Remain a visible part in civic-business related activities
  • Increase the involvement of the Hispanic business community in improving the social and economic climate of West Michigan
  • Represent Hispanic business interests
  • Increase membership on boards and commissions that have a direct impact on Hispanic-owned business
  • Advocate for the professional growth and insertion into the local workforce of Hispanic students, recent graduates, and professionals.

Our Staff

Guillermo Cisneros

Kaylee Moreno Burke

Interum Operations Director of Programs & Strategy
Kaylee@westmihcc.org
616-452-360

Jailine Gomez-Tellez

Fellowship Navigator
Jailine@westmihcc.org
616-452-3960

Caroline Fea

Talent Coaching Success Navigator
Caroline@westmihcc.org
616-452-3960

Deena Scianimanico

Membership & Events Manager
Development Team
Deena@westmihcc.org
616-452-3960

Lorelly Cochran

Executive Administrator & Operations
Executive_assistant@westmihcc.org
616-452-3960

Bill Espaillat

Business Development Manager
Business Development
Bill@westmihcc.org
616-452-3960

Become a Member

We work with all members of the community to increase the economic advancement of Hispanic owned businesses and to assist the professional growth of Hispanic business leaders in West Michigan. Together, the Chamber and Foundation promote economic development by fostering the next generation of new businesses and creating related employment opportunities.

We’re working together to further
the Mission & Vision of our organization.