Jaime di Paulo is President & CEO of the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (IHCC), the leading Hispanic business networking, advocacy, and development organization in the Midwest. Under his leadership since 2019, the IHCC team intensified their commitment to assist the Latino businesscommunity, providing direct assistance and working closely in collaboration with all stakeholders.
As CEO, di Paulo has sought to multiply the networks with various Chambers of Commerce locally and nationally, working with them to bring resources to the small business community. In 2020, IHCC created and helped retain 18,092 total jobs –a number that exceeded the 2019 figure by 42 times.
Additionally, the IHCC’s assistance to small businesses to access financial resources increased by 315% from 2019 and total $88.1M to present date. This is the total dollar amount of contracts awarded, revenue growth, business loans from the Small Business Administration, private lenders, business grants, etc.
What makes you proud or excited to lead a Hispanic Chamber of Commerce?
Leading an Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce provides me a chance to positively impact the local Hispanic community, promote diversity, celebrate culture, advocate for businesses, build networks, and contribute to the economic development of the state—all of which can evoke a sense of pride and excitement in my leadership role.
What should more people know about your local community of Hispanic business owners and entrepreneurs?
This thriving community of over 140,000 Latino businesses not only showcases the entrepreneurial spirit but also exemplifies the resilience, innovation, and determination that characterize our diverse business landscape.
At the IHCC, we take pride in fostering an inclusive environment that celebrates the rich cultures, traditions, and business practices within the Latino community.
Our IHCC mission is to cultivate knowledge, connections and collaboration to effect transformational social change and achieve sustainable economic impact through entrepreneurship.
By embracing the multitude of industries and services represented within our Latino business community, we recognize the integral role it plays in shaping the economic future of our state. Together, we work towards creating a business ecosystem that thrives on collaboration, mutual support, and the exchange of ideas, ultimately contributing to the overall growth and prosperity of our shared community.
How can we better support Hispanic business owners and entrepreneurs?
Supporting Hispanic business owners and entrepreneurs involves implementing a range of strategies that address their unique challenges and needs. Here are several ways to better support Hispanic business owners: Access to Capital, Networking Opportunities,Education and Training, Cultural Competency Training, Advocacy and Representation,Technology and Digital Skills, Language Support,Collaboration with Educational Institutions,Community Engagement and Supplier Diversity Programs.
