Esther Aguilera

As a 2X CEO, Esther is known for building enterprises and driving impact. She is a turn-around specialist in the nonprofit/association sector, a corporate governance leader, and global connector. For 30 years, she has forged hundreds of strategic partnerships with Fortune 500 companies, institutional investors, search firms, and private equity to positively promote the talent/leadership landscape.

Esther also advises ALPFA – the Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA), serves on the Advisory Board of Angeles Investors, as Vice Chair of the Thirty Percent Coalition Board of Directors, and on the Board of the Women Business Collaborative (WBC).

Esther previously served as President & CEO of the Latino Corporate Director Association (LCDA), where she led LCDA’s rapid expansion. She launched the BoardReady Institute and was executive producer of the Annual Board Leaders Convening covering corporate governance trends.

She brings a deep understanding of the intersection of the nonprofit, business, and government sectors having worked in leadership roles with the nation’s most powerful leaders, including Members of Congress, Cabinet Members, corporate directors and CEOs. Other past roles include President & CEO of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI); Executive Director of the U. S. Department of Energy office of small business utilization (SES level); and Executive Director/Legislative Director of Congressional Hispanic Caucus at the US House of Representatives.

She was recognized by Diligent as a 2022 Modern Governance 100 Honoree, served on the inaugural advisory council of NACD’s Center for Inclusive Governance, and is faculty for Competent Boards — based in Canada. Esther was recognized by Al Dia News Service as the 2021 Person of the Year, and by ALPFA as the 50 Most Powerful Latinas in 2021 and 2022, and awarded the 2010 Alumni Seal Award by Occidental College, her alma mater. A native of Jalisco, Mexico, Esther spent her childhood in San Fernando, CA.