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: vrincon@hispanicchamber.net

Vanessa Rincon is a native of Venezuela and has lived in Orlando since she was 13 years old. She attended the University of Central Florida, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Finance. Vanessa has served on the board of the Association of Latino Professionals for America and the Hispanic Heritage Scholarship Fund of Metro Orlando.

In her role at HCCMO, Mrs. Rincon is responsible for the strategic direction for all aspects of the Chamber’s marketing and communications activities related to membership, sponsorship and trustee recruitment, engagement, and retention. She develops proactive programs to increase membership engagement, leads community and governmental efforts to cultivate and build partnerships with key stakeholders strategically. In her role, she drives innovation, fosters collaboration, and positions the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce as the catalyst for transforming lives and strengthening the Hispanic community in Central Florida and the surrounding areas.

Before HCCMO, Vanessa worked as a Business Development Consultant with a successful track of providing technical assistance to start-ups and established companies by assessing weaknesses and recommending business solutions to increase profits, sustainability, and brand awareness.

Email: vpena@hispanicchamber.net

Originally from Uruguay, Virginia relocated to United States with her husband in 2002 and co-founded Miramar USA Inc., a commercial painting contractor headquartered in Orlando. Virginia holds an undergraduate degree in Business Finance and a Master of Business Administration from Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College.

Currently, as the Director of Commerce, Programs & Operations at HCCMO Virginia provides leadership and strategic direction of operations, events and programs to promote commerce, assessing their effectiveness, and enhancing efficiencies. Broadens a climate of innovation to develop member-focused programs and leads operation staff in the planning, development and implementation of new program initiatives.

Virginia’s skill set encompasses several industries: health care, technology, manufacturing and construction and her knowledge in minority certifications and supplier diversity has granted her the honor of being appointed member of the Orange County Minority/Women Enterprise Advisory Committee. Furthermore, she serves as Business Advisor in the Board of Athena PowerLink Orlando, creating leadership and development opportunities for women-own businesses.

Thanks to her involvement in the community Virginia has opened the door to business opportunities for many small and minority companies while developing stronger active partnership relations for the organizations she serves.

Phone: 407-428-5870 Ext. 313

Email: esmith@hispanicchamber.net

Elise Smith is originally from Miami and relocated to Orlando to attend the University of Central Florida, where she is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Sociology. As the Manager of Programs and Events, she is consistently working with the team to ensure that the programs offered are running efficiently, as well as speaking to members about the various programs and events and their benefits to chamber members. Elise is your main point of contact if you would like to join a Leads Group, become an HCCMO Ambassador, apply for the Supplier Diversity Scholarship, or would like some information about the next Civic Advocacy Series event. On her free time she enjoys rollerskating and soaking up the sun outside in Central Florida’s beautiful nature.

Phone: 407-428-5870 Ext. 302

Email: mmercado@hispanicchamber.net

Maria Mercado was born in Puerto Rico and raised in Connecticut, graduated from “Universidad Interamericana” in PR, with a major in Accounting and Business Administration.  She serves as the Finance Manager for the HCCMO, making sure that the financial information is accurate and efficiently handled.  In her spare time she likes reading the bible, exploring Central Florida’s beautiful nature, and going to the movies.