Board of Directors 2024-2026
Executive Board
President
Miriam Rodriguez
Pacific Resource Recovery
Born and raised in Boyle Heights, Miriam has dedicated her career to empower and uplift the community she holds dear to her heart. While a student in college, she interned for various government offices and nonprofit organizations, giving her a strong motivation to pursue community outreach and relations. After graduating from the University of Southern California, she emerged into the government sector and served the constituents of Council District 14, first in the Northeast area, and then moving to serve Boyle Heights, where she worked her way up to become the Director of the Boyle Heights Field Office.
After serving the City of Los Angeles for six years, in 2021 she joined the team at Pacific Resource Recovery, a family owned, waste management company with deep roots in the community for over thirty years. Bringing her community-centered strengths, she enjoys representing the company as the Organizational Development Manager, and appreciates how committed Pacific Resource Recovery is to the well being of the community, which has been home to the facility since 1976.
As President of the Boyle Heights Chamber, Miriam is committed to continue bridging the gap between community and business while advocating for new, and established businesses that are the threads and fibers of our vibrant business community.
Vice President
Corissa Hernandez
Corissa Hernandez Consulting
Corissa Hernandez is the co-founder and visionary behind Legacy Full Circle Financial & Insurance Services, The Empire Tavern, House of Xelas, and Nativo Highland Park, and the proud daughter of Mexican immigrants. After earning degrees at Cal Poly Pomona and UCLA, she began her career as a teacher in Los Angeles public school system, until the 2008 recession brought in her first call to action, and she launched her work as a school teacher by day and financial educator by night.
As Legacy Full Circle took flight, Corissa was inspired to meet unmet needs in her community, connecting with other First-Gen people of color and underrepresented groups, and she opened three craft beer & cocktail businesses over the next four years, establishing herself as one of the stand-out female entrepreneurs in a male-dominated industry. Her work has been in The Los Angeles Times, ABC VistaLA, LA Magazine, EaterLA, Telemundo,UCLA Magazine, and more.
Today, Corissa successfully runs her three businesses while still working to give back. She has partnered with over 100 creatives, aspiring entrepreneurs, small business owners, and restaurateurs of color. Through her work, she shares advice, words of wisdom, and everything she wishes she would’ve known in business through her mentorship sessions with other spirited entrepreneurs like herself.
Treasurer
Karen Louis
Neighborhood Music School
Karen Louis is the Executive Director of Neighborhood Music School (NMS), an organization that has served the Boyle Heights and surrounding community with low cost/high quality one on one music instruction and cultural connection since 1914. NMS employs 22 teaching artists who lead instruction on a wide array of instruments. Ms. Louis began her career as an artist, actor, and teaching artist in NYC (The Women’s Project and Productions) and Chicago (Striding Lion Performance Group, Healthworks Theatre, Afterschool Matters), and transitioned into arts administration in effort to advocate for communities and artists that are known to be marginalized, under-served and under-represented.
Ms. Louis holds a M.A. in Nonprofit Management from Antioch University, Los Angeles, M.A. in Interdisciplinary Arts from Columbia College and a B.A. in Theatre from The College of Wooster. Ms. Louis is proud to contribute to the ever-expanding conversation regarding arts education, access and sustainability in the public arena. Through first-hand experience in the classroom, community and arts landscape, Ms. Louis understands the critical need and advocates for accessible arts education, artist services and experiences for all communities. Prior to her work with NMS, she served as Executive Director of the LACHSA Foundation and Deputy Director of Arts for LA.
Secretary
Lorena Vazquez
Vazquez Law
Lorena Vazquez always envisioned having her law practice in her community, and in 2022 she opened her office in Boyle Heights. As an attorney and founder of Vazquez Law, she is skilled in civil litigation, with extensive experience in the areas of personal injury, wrongful death, and employment law. Ms. Vazquez is a seasoned litigator who has worked both as a plaintiff and defense attorney.
Ms. Vazquez attended the University of California, Los Angeles, where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in Political Science. She obtained her law degree from the University of San Francisco, School of Law. Ms. Vazquez has been a licensed attorney in California since 2009.
Parliamentarian
Guillermo Piñon
Distrito Catorce
Guillermo Piñon was raised in the nearby community of El Sereno. In 2003, he started his first company, American Icon Autographs. In 2014, he launched his second company, Dia de los Puercos, a restaurant in West Covina that expanded with three additional locations in Pomona, Claremont, and Riverside. In 2018, he sold and exited his company to pursue a different endeavor.
In 2021, Guillermo made the decision to return to Boyle Heights, his birthplace, to invest locally and open the doors of Distrito Catorce. His vision for this location expanded far beyond being a local bar, but for it to serve as a community hub that has made it a popular spot for many to gather.
Guillermo’s advocacy in the community has led him to sit on the board of several nonprofits that are focused on youth mentoring, mental health, and entrepreneurship. Currently, he is one of the lead organizers for the “First Street Business Association”.
In the near future, and as the local economy stabilizes, he would like to take on a bigger role in community building and specifically working with City officials and community organizations in providing resources that can positively impact and serve the youth in the community.
Advisor
Ralph Carmona
Barrio Planners
Ralph is a long time member of the BHCC Board of Directors, serving currently as an adviser and consultant through the Los Angeles Business Source Center and Barrio Planners. Ralph provides technical assistance to the chamber board and its membership, as well as to other Eastside small businesses. Mr. Carmona also provides marketing, outreach and event planning to the Boyle Heights Chamber.