In this special episode of Association Rockstars, host Lowell Aplebaum sit down with leaders from Association Latinos, the dynamic grassroots community elevating Latino leadership and inclusion across the association industry. Board members Josie Hernández, Carlos Cardona, Diana Dumitru, and Jay Carino share how a single conversation during Hispanic Heritage Month sparked a national movement. They discuss the lessons learned from launching a volunteer-driven 501(c)(3), what it takes to coordinate over 40+ active volunteers, and how listening, empowerment, and partnership have fueled sustainable growth. You’ll hear how Association Latinos is shaping the future of associations through leadership development, mentorship, and authentic community-building — plus their plans for scaling impact with new membership models, governance frameworks, and technology systems. If you’re passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion, grassroots organizing, or building communities that last, this conversation is packed with insights, inspiration, and practical wisdom for association professionals everywhere. Watch now to learn how Association Latinos is redefining what leadership looks like in the association world. About our guests: Carlos Cardenas, CAE, AAiP, incoming Board President of Association Latinos, champions Latino leadership and belonging in the association space. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran and Senior Strategic Consultant at DelCor Technology Solutions, he helps organizations innovate with purpose and stay rooted in culture. Diana L. Dabdub is the Senior Director for Admissions and Recruitment Affairs at the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges, where she develops and implements programs that support member institutions’ admissions activities, including oversight of the Veterinary Medical College Application Service (VMCAS) for 48 colleges of veterinary medicine, serving over 13,000 applicants and 80,000 applications annually. She also leads strategic admissions and recruitment initiatives, promotes careers in veterinary medicine, and directs marketing and virtual outreach for prospective applicants. Jay Cariño has over 18 years of valuable experience in the association industry and currently serves as the Vice President of Membership Services at the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). He provides strong strategic leadership in this critical role that drives membership growth, innovation, and engagement to new heights. Josie Hernandez is an Account Executive at Bostrom; Bostrom is an association management company. In this role, Josie works with her clients’ board of directors and staff to lead the execution of their mission, vision, and strategic plan. Keywords: Association Latinos, Latino leadership, diversity and inclusion in associations, grassroots community, volunteer engagement, association management, nonprofit leadership, DEI initiatives, association professionals, building inclusive communities Host and Founder: Lowell Aplebaum - CEO & Strategy Catalyst at Vista Cova Producer and Operations: Amy Hager - Strategy Advisor at Vista Cova Video and Audio Editing: Savannah Bragg Music: Slow Burn by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song... License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b...
