Inaugural ISSA VEO Conference Ignites Hispanic Leadership And Opportunity In The Cleaning Industry

Shown, left to right, are Visionario Awards’ recipients Angelica Rivera and Karina Villasenor. (Photo courtesy of ISSA)

The 2025 ISSA VEO Conference (Visión. Empeño. Oportunidad.), hosted September 29-30 at the Fairmont Hotel in Chicago during Hispanic Heritage Month, “brought together 122 industry trailblazers from across the cleaning and facility solutions industries for a groundbreaking two-day experience celebrating Hispanic professionals and businesses,” according to a press release.

The inaugural event featured education and workshops along with the closing Visionario Awards Gala, providing opportunities for education, information sharing, and networking. The event opened with a welcome message from U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer, who recognized the importance of empowering diverse voices and advancing equitable opportunities across industries.

“VEO is about more than professional development; it’s about empowering Hispanic professionals to lead boldly and shape the future of our industry,” ISSA Chief Membership Officer Rosie Rangel said. “The energy, collaboration, and pride we witnessed in Chicago reaffirmed why this movement matters. This was not just a conference — it’s a catalyst for change.”

The conference’s focus on three core learning objectives — business advancement, workforce development, and industry representation — proved especially impactful, as professionals felt empowered to implement what they learned to drive meaningful change in their organizations and the broader cleaning industry.

“During the event, attendees heard from a powerhouse lineup of leaders and changemakers,” according to the release, including:

• Rebecca Contreras, former White House advisor and bestselling author on leadership resilience;
• María Cardona, principal at Dewey Square Group, CNN commentator, and one of the most influential Latinas in U.S. politics; and,
• Gilbert Villegas, Alderman, City of Chicago, 36th Ward.

“The VEO Conference was an inspiring celebration of leadership, culture, and community. I left energized, connected, and proud to be part of an industry that uplifts and empowers,” Prestige Maintenance USA CEO and ISSA Board Member Rachel Sanchez said.

The release added: “VEO — short for Visión, Empeño, Oportunidad — is ISSA’s initiative to unify, support, and elevate Hispanic professionals within the cleaning and facility solutions industry. The ISSA VEO Conference reinforces ISSA’s mission to build a stronger, more inclusive cleaning industry — one that champions leadership, elevates voices, and creates opportunities for professionals to thrive at every level.”

Two leaders were honored during the VEO Conference Gala as recipients of the Visionario Awards, each receiving a $10,000 prize. Both winners exemplify leadership, resilience, and excellence within the cleaning and facility solutions industry.

• Karina Villasenor, Vice President of Human Resources, 4M Building Solutions: Villasenor is a champion of workforce development and culture-building. Through her leadership, she has transformed human resources into a vehicle for empowerment — elevating frontline professionals into future leaders and opening doors for advancement across every level of the organization.
• Angelica Rivera, Regional Supervisor, Babco Building Services: Rivera is recognized for her integrity, perseverance, and people-first approach to leadership. Rising from the frontline to regional leadership, she continues to model how true influence is earned — by lifting others as she climbs.

Visit www.issa.com/veo.