“I’ve been taught to be an elephant, not a hippo. Elephants have big ears, while hippos have small ones. The most important questions I ask are, how are you doing, and what does success look like to you?” –Mark L. Madrid
Mark L. Madrid, CEO and founder of Breakthrough Mavens, LLC, serves corporate America, small business owners, senior executives, boards, and nonprofits in a collaborative and energizing setting. As an in-demand, dynamic keynote speaker and new author, he also appeals to large audiences at the corporate level.
Currently, Mark is Entrepreneur-In-Residence at the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC). He serves on the Board of Advisors at Trez.co, the Board of Directors for the Emmett and Miriam Texas State University McCoy College of Business Administration Development Foundation, the Advisory Council of the Hispanic Wealth Project and the Board of Directors of FRIENDS, Friends of the American Latino Museum, a national advocacy campaign striving for the creation of a Smithsonian National American Latino Museum.
Mark is the author of his first book, “Energy, 21 Uncomplicated & Easy Tips to Start Your Day Energized”, the first in a book series, Self-Fueling Excellence, Mark’s unique story and experiences resonate with many. He attributes his success to energy, discipline, grit, perseverance, and hope—cornerstones he relies on and encourages his clients to utilize through his business, offering fractional C-Suite services and cyber/AI consulting services.
Mark grew up as part of a humble Texas Panhandle farming community, and his journey exemplifies the power of resilience and the pursuit of dreams against all odds. Raised by migrant farmworker parents, Mark saw firsthand the value of hard work, and he learned about determination when they built a successful welding business from scratch. This early exposure to entrepreneurship laid the foundation for Mark’s future.
A trailblazer, he became the first-ever Hispanic valedictorian in his town, earning a full scholarship to the University of Texas at Austin. This pivotal milestone led to Wall Street in 1994, and it continued through significant roles in corporate banking, nonprofit leadership, and public service.
He credits much of his tenacity and the ability to navigate the complexities of business and life to his father’s resourcefulness and the memory of his brother, Leroy, who died unexpectedly at age five.
Professionally, Mark’s accomplishments are extensive. He served as a Presidential Appointee and head official at the US Small Business Administration under the Biden-Harris administration and, before that, as the CEO of the Stanford University Latino Entrepreneurship Initiative/Latino Business Action Network. His leadership has supported millions of small businesses, demonstrating his commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and innovation while staying grounded. Mark also harnesses the power of AI to advance inclusive economies, excellence frameworks, and entrepreneurship.
Mark was named the 2019 Silicon Valley Nonprofit CEO of the Year by the Silicon Valley Business Journal, and his impressive awards include his designation as an Honorary Colonel for the United States Army, theJefferson Award for public service, the American Airlines Extra Mile Award, the Courage in Government Award from the National Business Inclusion Consortium, LGBT Advocate of the Year by the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and the Latino Leaders Maestro Award for his lifelong achievement for the economic prosperity of the US Latino cohort.
His education credentials, a BBA with honors from UT Austin and a Master’s in Nonprofit Administration with honors from the University of Notre Dame, further accentuate his academic achievements and dedication to continuous learning.
Beyond his professional life, Mark treasures his faith, partner, family, and his pet, Champ. His love for competitive running reflects his lifelong love of discipline and self-improvement. Mark L. Madrid embodies the catchphrase “relentless pursuit of excellence and winning in the good battlefield,” setting him apart nationally for business excellence, inspiration, and action.
