Washington, DC - The Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GWHCC) will be celebrating its 39th Annual Gala: Honoring Hispanic Businesses in Technology on June 12th at the Omni Shoreham in Washington, DC. This year’s keynote speaker will be Ms. Rosa Ramos-Kwok, Managing Director of Technology Infrastructure at Bank of America, and designated one of the top 100 most influential and notable Hispanic professionals in the IT Industry by the Hispanic IT Executive Council (HITEC).

“The Chamber’s mission is to help Hispanic businesses move forward. With this year’s Gala, we want to motivate and encourage more Hispanics to become owners of technology companies,” said Angela Franco, GWHCC President and CEO. “There is an incredible potential for growth in the technology sector for our community to impact, give back and evolve into a new type of technology tycoon.”

According to Geoscape Founder and CEO, César Melgoza, Hispanic Americans have been a minority in the U.S. technology inner circle – as low as 3 percent of top executives. But that time is changing rapidly. As the largest minority comprising 18 percent of the total U.S. population, Hispanics are our country's most tech-savvy and digitally connected group of consumers. And, they are more likely than any other ethnicity to start and grow their own business.

This year’s keynote speaker, Ms. Ramos-Kwok, will share what it is like to be a Hispanic female in the technology organization of a major financial institution and how her team is helping women develop and grow their skills. “It is an honor for me to address the growing Hispanic technology sector in the Washington D.C. area at this prestigious event,” said Ms. Ramos-Kwok.

“The annual Gala highlights the importance of the local Hispanic business community and celebrates the Chamber’s accomplishments in promoting a business-friendly environment in our region,” said Mario Acosta-Velez, Chair of GWHCC Board of Directors and Verizon’s Director of State Government Affairs. “It is an honor to have Ms. Ramos-Kwok as our keynote speaker this year as we recognize Hispanic leaders in technology whose contributions in the area of technology and innovation are helping to create a better future for our community.”

We invite everyone to nominate candidates from the extensive pool of successful technology businesses in the Washington metropolitan region. To nominate your candidate visit www.gwhcc.org/galanomination.

To learn more about the Gala and purchase tickets visit www.gwhcc.org/gala.

As of May 2015, the 38th Annual Gala is made possible with the support of: Platinum – Verizon; Gold – DC Health Link, Events DC; Silver – Toyota; Sign - Gelberg Signs; Coffee & Dessert – Mayorga Coffee; Bronze – PNC Bank, CareFirst, Building Hope, Giant, Bizlaunch en Español, Walmart, Giant Foods, Respira Medical, Eagle Bank, M&T, Winmar Construction, Keystone Plus Construction.

About the GWHCC
The GWHCC is a 501(C) 6 membership driven organization, founded in 1976, that supports the economic development of the greater Washington metropolitan area. The Chamber facilitates the success of Latino and other minority-owned businesses and the communities they serve through networking, advocacy, education and access to capital. For additional information visit our website www.gwhcc.org.