Meet the Staff

Email: gortigoni@hispanicchamber.net

A blend of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Dominican and Floridian, Gaby Ortigoni has been serving the Central Florida Hispanic community for 20 years. As the President of HCCMO, her duty is to ensure that the Chamber fulfills its responsibilities to its members.Throughout her professional career, Ortigoni has been strongly committed to business development, strategic relationship building, economic development, international business, government affairs, and comprehensive community development.

Ortigoni has received numerous awards, including the Orlando Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 Award & Women Who Mean Business, Hispanic Women Who Make the Difference Award from La Prensa, Orange County Sheriff’s Office Community Service Award, and the Orlando Police Department’s Good Citizenship Award, among others. Gaby has demonstrated strong leadership skills and community involvement.

Email: pturushina@hispanicchamber.net

Pedro Turushina is the Director of Marketing & Business Development for the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando (HCCMO) responsible for the strategic direction of all aspects of the Chamber’s marketing and communications activities related to memberships and sponsorships as well as trustee recruitment, engagement, and retention. Mr. Turushina develops proactive programs to increase membership engagement, while also spearheading strategic community and governmental efforts to cultivate and build partnerships with key stakeholders. In his role, he drives innovation, fosters collaboration, and positions the HCCMO as a catalyst for transforming lives through business ownership, and strengthening the Hispanic community in Central Florida and surrounding areas.

A native of Colombia, Pedro has lived in Orlando since he was 13 years old. He attended the University of Central Florida, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts. As a dedicated community leader, Pedro organizes and manages multiple groups forming a collaborative business mindset to create a bridge of connectivity between consumers and local enterprises with the goal of yielding economic growth.

Prior to working at HCCMO, Pedro was the founder and Creative Director at a reputable and prominent marketing agency based in Central Florida. As an entrepreneur, Pedro focused on finding opportunities to participate in programs that deliver access to tangible business opportunities, connect with procurement decision-makers, and offer practical support to the Central Florida entrepreneurial community. As part of his previous efforts in strengthening the business community, he joined HCCMO and Prospera in various signature events as a key marketing resource to strategize from the conceptual stage to the creation and execution of their programs. Pedro is committed to assisting the HCCMO with cultivating strategic partnerships, implementing innovative outreach strategies, and developing robust targeted communications, all anchored in the high value he places in exercising authenticity.

Phone: 407-428-5870 Ext. 313

Email: aescobar@hispanicchamber.net

Alejandra Escobar is originally from Colombia and relocated to Orlando in 2002. She is a professional in Entrepreneurship, Marketing, and Management, a Holistic Coach in Emotional Intelligence, and a Meditation Instructor.

She is the founder of Empodera Tu Camino, a brand she created to reach women in leadership positions of the Hispanic community. She has had the opportunity to work and lead teams of different cultures, nationalities, and age groups for the past 13 years. She identifies the individual strengths and uses the best available resources to place them in positions where their skills can best benefit the company and increase its economic growth.

Alejandra combines her knowledge in the professional, personal, and emotional fields so that her community can recognize the magnificent power within and can reach its full potential. She is an expert in storytelling and an advocate believer in bonding, connecting, and creating long-lasting personal and business relationships.

Phone: 407-428-5870 Ext. 303

Email: ncastro@hispanicchamber.net

Nelia is a personable and dedicated customer service professional with extensive experience in the hospitality industry. She is an enthusiastic and results-oriented woman with demonstrated passion building relationship, cultivating partnerships and growing businesses.

She was born in Bogota, Colombia, and moved to Orlando 20 years ago. She graduated from UCF/ Rosen College of Hospitality Management with a B.S in Event Management. She did an exchange program in Hospitality Management & Tourism at MODUL University of Vienna, Austria, which changed her life and opened her eagerness to explore the world and its different cultures.

She is passionate about diversity, and she is certified in Diversity and Inclusion awarded by the Office of Diversity & Inclusion at the University of Central Florida.

Nelia loves to travel and has visited 21 different countries, and countless cities & towns. She also enjoys hiking, cooking, & spending time with her family & friends.

“A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.” Lao Tzu

Phone: 407-428-5870 Ext. 310

Email: sgalvis@hispanicchamber.net

In her spare time, Sara is a highly rated seller in the Facebook Marketplace where she manages her commerce profile listing unique home goods. In the same token, Ms. Galvis has also become a children’s book author. Her unique storytelling helps with teaching Spanish words to children who are facing language challenges. It will be sold on Amazon with a personal goal to reach multiple other platforms. Her passion for strengthening her small business makes her eager to work with all the new and current HCCMO members.

Phone: 407-428-5870 Ext. 302

Email: gvalera@hispanicchamber.net 

Gricel Valera is the Finance & Office Manager for the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando (HCCMO). Responsible for financial statements to conform generally accepted accounting principle; assets are safeguarded; guidelines of grantors and donors are complied with; and finances are managed with accuracy, efficiency, and transparency. She comes with extensive experience in client relations, all aspects of business management and Human resources. She managed multiple teams to achieve positive results in metrics, budgets, financial forecasting, planning, and modelling tools within the channels. 

She was born in the Dominican Republic and moved to New York at a young age. Proud daughter of a single mom who showed her the importance of being a hard worker to achieve her goals. She is a mother of 3 who enjoys family time, cooking and everything Disney. Her favorite quote is “Magic is believing in yourself, if you can do that, you can make anything happen”. 

Phone: 407-428-5870

Email: bgunn@hispanicchamber.net

Brenda was born in California to parents from Puerto Rico and El Salvador. She has over 15 years of executive-administrative experience in various industries such as healthcare, wealth management, hospitality, and non-profit. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Communication from the University of Central Florida. Her best qualities are that she is a steadfast, organized, self-starter who loves to continuously learn new things. She is a small business owner and a member of the International Association of Administrative Professionals. She enjoys doing yoga and spending time with her husband and beautiful daughter.