USHCC’s Jackie Puente: “There are Opportunities Everywhere, Especially in Times of Change in Washington, D.C. and State Capitals.”

Jackie Puente was recently appointed as the first millennial USHCC Board Chair.  Throughout her career, Ms. Puente has been a translator between public, private, and nonprofit entities to promote sustainable and equitable growth. We interviewed her to understand her views on the growth of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) and the opportunities and challenges ahead.

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USHCC Objectives for 2025 and Beyond

USHCC
USHCC Board Chair Jackie Puente

Puente is the first millennial USHCC Board Chair and part of a new generation of board leaders. “The organization is growing very fast; there is lots of interest from corporate members, “she says, adding that many regional Chambers of Commerce presidents are joining the board. According to Puente, there are two main areas, member chambers, corporations, and Hispanic Business Enterprises (HBEs), where many opportunities exist to grow. On the other hand, there is the educational side, which includes programming for entrepreneurs and business leaders.

A critical pillar of the USHCC membership expansion initiative is the outreach to local and regional Hispanic Chambers of Commerce, which are not members of the USHCC. Puente notes that approximately 300 state, regional, and local chambers are members of the USHCC and estimates that nationwide, there are approximately 900  state, regional, and local chambers.” “At the national level, we can help unite these local grassroots organizations. This is an important time to raise the voices of Hispanic leaders across the country. There is no cost for members to join, ” she says.

“There are approximately 900 state, regional, and local chambers across the country of which 300 are currently members of the USHCC.”

Puente explains that Hispanic businesses face many different challenges at this point. “Working together on issues such as supply chain disruptions can yield much-shared learning. Chambers can help foster conversations between businesses. Other highly relevant topics include access to capital and a holistic evaluation of where resources can be provided across communities, including advocating for better policing in Washington, D.C.

Public Relations and Advocacy under a new Administration

“I have been in Washington, D.C. for many years, and I have seen many transitions,” Puente asserts when asked how she plans to engage with the new Trump administration. “It’s important to focus on long-term goals, and knowing that the USHCC has a long-term vision is gratifying. There are opportunities everywhere, especially in times of change in Washington, D.C., and state capitals. We want to be a part of solutions. We see ourselves as a bridge.”

Puente emphasizes the importance of having a long-term vision, delivering for your community, and not getting ensnared in unproductive conversations. “We have a clear mission to advance Hispanic businesses. We have the experience of having previously worked with Trump and other administrations and know when to roll up our sleeves and lock up opportunities for our members.” Puente notes that she sees the most significant opportunities in business ownership and entrepreneurship.

She explains that corporations are critical in fostering fact-based content and information. “At Comcast/NBC Universal, I have been working closely with media partners over the years. Digital and media literacy are the new frontier so that people know where to find information; this is a critical need for the  Spanish-dominant population.” According to Puente, while the explosion of social media-driven user-generated content is a positive development, it has changed the world of communications and advertising and increased complexity. “Corporate advertisers tend to be very responsible because they face huge legal challenges if they are not. As a non-profit and intermediary, it’s our job to verify information and challenge members.” She adds that there was rampant disinformation during the last political cycle and that chambers of commerce play an essential role in fighting disinformation in their local communities as they are super-trusted brands, and so is the USHCC on the national level.

“Digital and media literacy are the new frontier so that people know where to find information, this is a particularly important need for the Spanish-dominant population.”

Reliable and cost-effective broadband access, complemented by intelligent digital readiness tools and information, is a related USHCC objective. It is pivotal to ensuring that minority businesses and their clientele can actively engage with and reap the benefits of our digital economy.

USHCC Standing on Consumer Privacy Regulations

As an increasing number of states enact consumer privacy regulations, which are detrimental to advertisers’ ability to target Hispanic and other multicultural audiences effectively, Puente asserts that privacy regulations should be federal/ national issues. “Privacy should be federal legislation and not be navigated state by state,” “You can’t stop someone from Florida from accessing media based in Georgia. Privacy considerations should be brought in on a federal level. ”  As the USHCC 2024 policy platform states, “the USHCC backs federal data privacy legislation that encourages innovation, provides regulatory certainty, and respects individual privacy and choice.” The above-cited USHCC policy platform urges bipartisan legislation to establish clear rules for businesses and ensure consistent privacy and data collection regulations.”

Comcast/NBCUni

In addition to her role at the USHCC, Jackie Puente is vice president of external affairs at Comcast Corporation. Puente claims that 2025 will be a big year for Comcast NBCUniversal as it transitions from pay-TV to next-generation platforms. She adds that her role in external affairs is forging the next generation of partnerships and attracting the next generation of customers.  She is particularly excited about Comcast’s  Xfinity mobile provider and about increasing the affordability of new products and services.  As NBCUNI’s Telemundo is the official broadcaster of the 2026 Men’s World Cup, Puente emphasizes that, particularly during the Super Bowl weekend, people should consider the World Cup to be 64 games of the Super Bowl across 30 days.

 

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