Our Team/Nuestro Equipo

Executive Director: Dr. Nelson Soler - PhD, MBA, MS, EDFP, Enrolled Agent, quickBooks Pro Advisor

Dr. Nelson Soler is an innovative entrepreneur who has founded two for-profit and three non-profit organizations. Soler has utilized his educational and advocacy capacities to facilitate the formation of more 6200 enterprises in the greater Milwaukee area.

Awards:

Thousands of individuals have benefited from Soler’s expertise in: entrepreneurship, accounting, nonprofit management and marketing. Soler’s accomplishments received recognition by the national and local media. As a result of that recognition, Soler received the United States Small Business Administration Award from the State of Wisconsin in 2007. In 2009, Nelson Soler was named the Chamber Executive of the Year for Region 4(IA, IN, IL, KY, OH, MN, MI and WI) by the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Soler was also named the 2011 UMOS Hispanic Man of the Year for his contributions to the advancement of the Latino and received an Individual Inner City Award by the Greater Milwaukee Committee. In 2012, the Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee named Soler the Entrepreneur of the Year, Additionally, Soler has been named the Inspirational Entrepreneur of 2017 by Bizstars and received the Community Business Development Award in 2018 by Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.

Experience, education, and certifications:

Soler has a diverse experience in banking, international business, mining equipment manufacturing, academia, real estate and the electric utility industry. He has lead teams in business development, international sales and documentation, ERP systems upgrade, corporate communications and training.

His education includes a Bachelors of Science in Electrical Engineering (01) and a Bachelors of Arts in Economics (01) from the State University of New York at Buffalo; a Masters in Business Administration (93) and a Masters in International Business and Marketing (99) from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Soler is also a graduate from Future Milwaukee Community Leadership Program (03) and the Associates in Commercial Real Estate Program (08) from Marquette University. Additionally, he holds a Wisconsin Real Estate Broker’s License, a Next Level Entrepreneurial Instructor Certification, an Economic Development Financial Professional designation, Enrolled Agent Designation by the US Department of Treasury and a QuickBooks ProAdvisor Certification.

Soler’s community involvements include:

Commissioner in the Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission, President and CEO of the Latino Chamber of Commerce of SE Wisconsin, Executive Founding Director of the Latino Entrepreneurial Network of Southeastern Wisconsin; Founder of the LEN LULAC Chapter; and Advisory Council Member for Wisconsin Bank and Trust; Member; Hmong Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce; Member, African American Chamber; and Greater Milwaukee Association of Realtors.

Empowerment and Outreach Coordinator: Yesica Coria

Born in Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico. She studied Arts at the University of Veracruz. She has worked as a Graphic Designer and run a small business called Coria Graphic Arts, dedicated to promoting the traditional crafts of her country. Her aim is to expand her culture through promotion, teaching, and sharing knowledge with students and elders. Her goal is to create a community of artists who can support each other and make a greater impact.

"LEN presents an opportunity to support the creative sector of the Latino community, addressing their needs through our programs, coaches, and organizational support for small businesses."

Fun Fact:

"I'm a señora but don't call me that. I prefer to be called Yesi"

Contac me at

yesica@latinoentrepreneurialnetwork.org

(414)-888-2270

Empowerment Manager | Construction, Cleaning, Childcare Industries : Sofia Flores Melchor

Born and raised in Milwaukee to Mexican immigrant parents, Sofia has been deeply connected to her community from an early age. Her commitment to supporting the Hispanic/Latino community began during high school, where she both volunteered and worked with various community-based non-profit organizations. Over the past ten years, her efforts have been driven by a genuine passion for advocacy and service, aiming to address the unique challenges faced by her community.

With a desire to amplify her influence, Sofia embraced the opportunity to join the Latino Entrepreneurial Network (LEN), seeking to deepen her impact on the community differently. As a Small Business Empowerment Manager, she now focuses on facilitating small business owners by providing resources, enhancing their strategies, and exploring new growth opportunities. This position allows her to further her commitment to fostering positive change and supporting the entrepreneurial spirit within her community.

Education:

Throughout her career, Sofia discovered a profound interest in the medical field, which led her to pursue a diploma in Medical Interpretation from MATC. There, she honed her skills to bridge communication gaps for those with Limited English Proficiency (LEP). Her role as a medical interpreter allows her to facilitate essential interactions between patients and healthcare providers, ensuring that language barriers do not hinder access to quality care.

Fun Fact:

In addition to her advocacy work, Sofia pursued a course of study to become an esthetician, reflecting her interest in beauty and wellness.

sofia@latinoentrepreneurialnetwork.org

414-233-0773

Internal Accountant and Client Services Coordinator: John Gonzalez

He was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and will graduate from Milwaukee School of Languages, and will be entering as a Panther at the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee in 2024. He plans to obtain his CPA credentials after completing his Master's in Accounting along with his Bachelor's in Spanish. Furthermore, he has received various scholarships for college, demonstrating his dedication and commitment to his future college and professional career.

Aside from being a passionate student, he is also an active member of his community, having spent over 40 hours in community service near his high school. In addition to his community involvement, John is a diligent student who has achieved various academic accomplishments throughout his high school career. He has taken various AP classes, earning him the AP Scholars with Honors award. John has also been involved in various school clubs and organizations, such as the chess club, e-sports club, and the National Honor Society.

John is fascinated with Accounting and hopes to one day start his own Accounting Firm to help his local community and society as a whole. He takes great pride in his goal and is always eager to learn more about how he can achieve it.

John@latinoentrepreneurialnetwork.org

(414)-249-4155

Social Media Manager: Axsel Ortega Ramirez

Born in Waukesha Wisconsin, Axsel Ortega is a high school senior, who has a combination of diverse interests and an unyielding determination. He finds genuine pleasure in playing games purely for the joy of it, enjoying the thrill of competition and the time spent together with friends. That aside, his favorite novel, "The Count of Monte Cristo," speaks a lot about his taste for intricate and suspenseful storytelling. What really makes up Axsel is his commitment to challenging himself academically. Despite his personal belief that he might be a bit of a slow learner, he willingly immerses himself in taking multiple AP classes at St. Anthony High School. This determination to excel is what truly makes up Axsel. Outside of school life, Axsel harbors a fascination with the automotive industry, particularly in the subject of bodywork and car painting. This fascination and passion for vehicles is what led Axsel’s interest in pursuing a career in mechanical engineering. It's this diverse range of interests that characterizes Axsel Ortega, constantly pushing his boundaries.

Fun Fact:

RedBull never gave him Wings.

axsel@latinoentrepreneurialnetwork.org

(414)-888-2892