By Camilo Renteria, Executive Vice President of Corporate Development – ALPFA Indianapolis, Chapter President – CIEF Indiana, and Business Development Manager – Falkbuilt Indianapolis
ALFPA Indianapolis members with President & CEO Damian Rivera and Indianapolis Chapter President Jose Castro, CPA, at Vision 2027 event.
I first learned about the American Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA) through LinkedIn, where I saw an announcement for a happy hour happening during my first week in Indianapolis in Spring 2023. The event was full, but they kindly made an exception for me. Attending that event was a turning point, as I instantly connected with a diverse group of Latino professionals my age in various white-collar roles.
"Often, the challenge isn’t a lack of opportunities but rather a lack of information within our community about these diverse career paths."
Wanting to contribute, I asked if I could help and eventually joined the board. Since then, I’ve been leveraging my business development and sales skills to secure significant sponsorships. To date, I’ve brought in CSO, an architecture firm, Pointer Fabrication, a sheet metal company, and I’m in the process of closing deals with a top-rated IndyCar team and a renowned life science leader based in Indiana.
ALPFA has truly broadened my perspective, highlighting the numerous opportunities available for Latinos across different sectors — including the CPA profession. Often, the challenge isn’t a lack of opportunities but rather a lack of information within our community about these diverse career paths.
What ALPFA is doing
Locally, ALPFA hosts various networking events and workshops focused on essential skills such as resume writing, interview techniques and negotiation tactics. Additionally, we offer mentorship programs and job opportunities within our network, free for our members.
Partnering with ALPFA is immensely beneficial for companies. ALPFA provides a direct pipeline to motivated, high-quality Latino talent, which is essential in today’s competitive job market. Our events attract top performers who are eager to seize new opportunities.
"ALPFA provides a direct pipeline to motivated, high-quality Latino talent, which is essential in today’s competitive job market."
Moreover, companies benefit from increased diversity and inclusion, which has been shown to enhance creativity, problem-solving, and overall business performance.
We are building more partnerships with major corporations in Indiana and nationwide, backed by our strong alumni network.
ALPFA also offers companies the chance to engage with the community, supporting workforce development while promoting their brand among emerging leaders. Our programs and events foster a sense of community and belonging, which helps in retaining top talent and ensuring their growth within the organization.
ALPFA’s collaboration with INCPAS
Last year, INCPAS expanded its free Young Pros Off the Clock Happy Hour networking series to include ALPFA and NABA Inc. members, which has helped build even more local connections and in-roads into a wider pool of organizations.
In addition, they recently hosted Vision 2027, an event that brought ALPFA, NABA Inc. and state CPA society leaders together to help drive discussions about how to reshape the industry landscape.
Attending Vision 2027 from start to finish was truly eye-opening for me, especially given my background in the construction industry. The event provided a comprehensive glimpse into the future of various industries, including accounting, and hearing from influential leaders like Guylaine Saint Juste, president and CEO of NABA, and Damian Rivera, President and CEO of ALPFA.
As someone deeply involved with ALPFA and Fintech, their words resonated with me on a personal level, reinforcing the significance of partnerships that create a broader reach. It reminded me that there are many other potential folks waiting to be connected to INCPAS and ALPFA, so it’s extremely important that I personally keep expanding our reach to college students and professionals.
By bridging the gap between the Latino community and the accounting profession, we're not only empowering individuals but also reshaping the industry landscape. Our joint efforts are fostering a more diverse and inclusive environment, driving innovation, creativity, and excellence within the accounting profession.
About ALPFA
Founded in 1972, ALPFA is a national, not-for-profit professional association that creates opportunities, adds value, and builds relationships for its members, the community and its business partners while expanding Latino Leadership in the global workforce.
The ALPFA Indianapolis Chapter was founded in December 2022 and serves students and professionals throughout the state of Indiana. Its mission is to provide ample opportunities for networking and professional development to strengthen the Latino business community and increase representation in corporate settings.
ALFPA Resources for Individuals & Organizations:
INCPAS Resources for Individuals & Organizations: