Shows / The Purple Line
The Purple Line
The Purple Line is a community podcast, bringing in-depth conversations with diverse leaders in the public and private sectors. Tune in for conversations and roundtables with national and international influencers. Whether you are a student looking to gather advice or an established professional tuning in for valuable resources, our dynamic programming provides tips and insights for people of all ages and backgrounds. The Purple Line is produced by The Congressional Hispanic Leadership…
Episodes
The Purple LineThe Purple Line: Episode 58 with José R. Cárdenas
José R. Cárdenas has spent nearly forty years at the center of Washington’s work in the Americas, at the State Department, the National Security Council…
The Purple LineThe Purple Line: Episode 57 with Dr. Mark Hugo Lopez
Dr. Mark Hugo Lopez is Director of Race and Ethnicity Research at the Pew Research Center, where he coordinates the National Survey of Latinos. Both sides of…
The Purple LineThe Purple Line: Episode 56 with Paule Valery Joseph
Dr. Paule Valery Joseph is a tenured Senior Investigator at the National Institutes of Health, where she leads the Section of Sensory Science and Metabolism…
The Purple LineThe Purple Line: Episode 55 with Lucinda Borque
Lucinda Borque is Executive Assistant to the CEO at Reform Alliance and President of the CHLI Alumni Association (Global Leaders Class of Spring 2016). The…
The Purple LineThe Purple Line: Episode 54 with Diego Area
Diego Area is the President and CEO of Global Americans, a nonpartisan think tank dedicated to reimagining U.S.–Latin America relations. Born and raised in…
The Purple LineThe Purple Line: Episode 53 with Maria Luisa Boyce
Maria Luisa Boyce serves as Vice President of Global Public Affairs for UPS, where she advances logistics, trade compliance, customs policy, and government…
The Purple LineThe Purple Line: Encore Episode with John Hoel
In this encore episode of The Purple Line, Keith Hernandez sits down with CHLI Board Member John Hoel. He shares his journey of success that started with an…
The Purple LineThe Purple Line: Episode 52 with Paola Arellano
Paola Arellano serves as Executive Business and Operational Manager at Rivet Industries, a technology and equipment company focused on protecting frontline…
The Purple LineThe Purple Line: Episode 51 with Omar Franco
The Purple Line Podcast features a conversation with Omar Franco, Partner and Chair of the Government Law & Lobbying Practice at Becker. Hosted by CHLI CEO…
The Purple LineThe Purple Line: Episode 50 with Patrick Herrera
The CHLI Purple Line Podcast spotlights Patrick Herrera in an inspiring episode recorded in January 2026. Patrick, a proud third-generation Texan from Lubbock…
The Purple LineThe Purple Line: Episode 49, Leonardo Mendoza-Bernuy
The CHLI Purple Line Podcast features an engaging conversation with Leonardo Mendoza-Bernuy, recorded in December 2025. Leonardo shares how his family…
The Purple LineThe Purple Line: Episode 48, Jonathon Martinez and Haleon’s Commitment to Community Health
It’s no coincidence that Jonathan Martinez, Haleon’s Head of U.S. Federal Affairs, serves on CHLI’s Advisory Council. With deep roots in Washington, D.C…
The Purple LineThe Purple Line: Episode 47 with Ivelisse Porroa-Garcia
Ivelisse Porroa-Garcia serves as the current President of the Hispanic Lobbyists Association and is the Senior VP at Crossroads Strategies—two important…
The Purple LineThe Purple Line: Episode 46 with Jason León
Jason Leon continues to take the “path less taken”. Born and raised in Bronx, New York, Jason’s parents hail from Puerto Rico. After realizing that his Spanish…
The Purple LineThe Purple Line: Episode 45 with Laura Maristany
Laura Maristany believes in giving credit where credit is due. Having moved from her beloved Puerto Rico to work on Capitol Hill, Laura quickly learned the…
The Purple LineThe Purple Line: Episode 44 with Heather Kennedy
Heather Kennedy has proudly worn the Home Depot orange apron for over 25 years. What has kept Heather so committed to Home Depot—and Home Depot committed to…
The Purple LineThe Purple Line: Episode 43 with Stephen Halloway
Stephen Halloway is a Badger through-and-through. Before he got his undergraduate degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison… he was also born there, at the…
The Purple LineThe Purple Line: Episode 42 with Daniel Garza
Daniel Garza was born in the Central Valley of California and would migrate with his family annually from their ancestral hometown of Garza Gonzalez in Nuevo…
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The Purple Line: Episode 41 with Dr. Elena Rios
Dr. Rios is a pioneer in the healthcare industry. Born and raised in southeast Los Angeles and influenced by her civic-minded mother, Dr. Rios first entre into…
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The Purple Line: Episode 40 with Carlos A. Becerra
Join us on The Purple Line as our host Mary Ann Gomez Orta sits down with Carlos A. Becerra, Associate Vice President of Government Relations at Florida…
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The Purple Line: Encore Episode with the Late Honorable Lincoln Díaz-Balart
This encore episode of the Purple Line is dedicated to celebrating the life and legacy of our dear friend and Founder of the Congressional Hispanic Leadership…
The Purple LineThe Purple Line: Episode 39 – Jorge Zamanillo
Jorge Zamanillo is the Founding Director of the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino in Washington, DC. This episode of the CHLI Purple Line…
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The Purple Line: Episode 38 with Sol Ortega
Sol Ortega's life experience and career is a testament to hard work, taking brave steps, and the sacrifice of a loving family. Having immigrated from Peru at…
The Purple LineThe Purple Line: Episode 37 with Fall 2024 Global Leaders - Part 2
After spending four months of on-the-job learning— first placement working on Capitol Hill for a member of Congress, and second placement at a CHLI corporate…
The Purple LineThe Purple Line: Episode 36 with Jeyben Castro
Join us on the Purple Line for a great discussion with U.S. Navy Veteran, Jeyben Castro, Community Outreach and Engagement Director, Office of the Chief…
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The Purple Line: Episode 35 with Amy Hinojosa
Join us on The Purple Line as Amy Hinojosa, President and CEO of MANA, celebrates the organization’s 50th anniversary with our host, Emily Benavides. In this…
The Purple LineThe Purple Line: The Fall 2024 Global Leader Cohort
Tune into our special episode featuring our Fall 2024 CHLI Global Leaders class. The Global Leaders sat down with our host, Emily Benavides, during the first…
The Purple LineThe Purple Line: Episode 34 with Eduardo Arabu
Eduardo Arabu is committed to hard work, education, serving others—and the value of diversity in the workplace. Learn how his experiences of migrating to the…
The Purple LineThe Purple Line: Episode 33 with Luis Martinez
Luis Martinez serves as the Senior Pentagon Reporter at ABC News. As a journalist covering national and international politics for 30 years Luis has risen up…
The Purple LineThe Purple Line: Episode 32 with Gabriella Boffelli
Gabriella Boffelli grew up under the authoritarian dictatorship of Daniel Ortega in Nicaragua which helped shape Gabriella’s view of on politics, international…
The Purple LineThe Purple Line: Episode 31 with Keith Fernandez: Passing the Torch
Keith Fernandez, outgoing host of the CHLI Purple Line Podcast Series and President of the CHLI Alumni Association, gives new Purple Line host CHLI Senior…
The Purple LineThe Purple Line: Encore Episode 30 with The Honorable Lincoln Diaz Balart
Host Keith Fernandez sits down with CHLI Chairman and Founder, The Honorable Lincoln Diaz-Balart. They discuss his impactful career in Congress, the importance…
The Purple LineThe Purple Line: Episode 29 with Cesar Prieto
Join us on The Purple Line, Episode 29, featuring the incredible Cesar Prieto, Chief of Staff to Representative Tony Gonzales and a distinguished 2019 CHLI…
The Purple LineThe Purple Line: Encore Episode 28 with the Honorable Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
This Women’s History Month, we are doing a special re-release of our podcast featuring the Honorable Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, who now serves as CHLI Chairwoman…
The Purple LineThe Purple Line: Episode 27 Elaine Coronado
This #WomensHistoryMonth, CHLI is honored to feature Elaine Coronado, a remarkable businesswoman and philanthropist, on the Purple Line Podcast with host Keith…
The Purple LineThe Purple Line: Episode 26 David Olivencia
In CHLI’s latest episode of The Purple Line Podcast, we're honored to be joined by David Olivencia, CEO of Angeles Investors and author of 'NetWORKing…
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The Purple Line: Episode 25 Angela Anderson Guerrero
On this episode of The Purple Line host Keith Fernandez sits down with the inspiring Angela Anderson Guerrero, the executive director of Lideramos, a national…
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Then Purple Line: Episode 24 Sara Guerrero
Sara Guerrero, who is a Communications Director for Congressman Robert Garcia, talks with Keith Fernandez about her career journey, experiences living in…
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The Voice Behind Hispanic Heritage Month (Encore)
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, Keith Fernandez sits down with Colonel Gil Coronado, the father of Hispanic Heritage Month. They discuss the history of…
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Turning an Internship Into a Corporate Career
In this month’s episode of The Purple Line, Keith sits down with CHLI Treasurer John Hoel. He shares his journey of success that started with an internship. He…
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Navigating a Post-Grad Life in Washington, D.C.
In this month’s episode of The Purple Line, Keith sits down with Alejandro Alba, Public Affairs Specialist at FEMA’s Office of External Affairs and a 2014 CHLI…
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Making CHLI History with Rep. Sharlett Mena
In honor of Women's History Month, Keith sits down with Rep. Sharlett Mena - the first CHLI alumna elected into public office at the state level. Rep. Mena…
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Recognizing and Listening to Your Heart
In honor of American Heart Month, Keith sits down with Jeff Holden, founder of Multipoint Content Strategies and the host of Imperfect Heart. He shares the…
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Building Latino-Jewish Bridges and Beyond
In this month's episode of The Purple Line, Keith sits down with Dina Siegel Vann, Director of the American Jewish Committee (AJC) Belfer Institute for Latino…
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Why Latino Representation in Journalism Matters
In this month's episode of The Purple Line, Keith sits down with Rafael Bernal, a Staff Writer at The Hill. He discusses the importance of Latino…
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Wendy's Legacy: Empowering Young Women of Tomorrow
In this month's episode, Keith sits down with Juan Carlos Martinez Jr., Vice President of The Wendy Martinez Legacy Project. They discuss the foundation's…
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A Conversation with The Honorable Lincoln Diaz-Balart
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, Keith Fernandez sits with CHLI Chairman and Founder, The Honorable Lincoln Diaz-Balart. They discuss his impactful career…
The Purple LineThe Voice Behind Hispanic Heritage Month
In loving memory of Colonel Gil Coronado. Keith Fernandez sits down with Colonel Gil Coronado, the father of Hispanic Heritage Month. They discuss the history…
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The Future in Telling Latino Stories in Smithsonian Museums
In this month's episode, Keith Fernandez sits down with Danny Vargas, an award-winning noted business and community leader, accomplished media commentator, and…
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Shaping Your Future in Washington, D.C.
In this month’s episode, Keith Fernandez sits down with CHLI Award winners Emily Benavides, recipient of the Stephen D. Vermillion CHLI Congressional Staff…
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Running for Public Office as a First-Time Candidate with Janelle Perez
In this month’s episode, Keith Fernandez sits down with Janelle Perez, candidate for the Florida State Senate, to discuss her inspiring story of running for…
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A Conversation with The Honorable Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
In this month’s episode of The Purple Line, Keith Fernandez sits down with former Congresswoman, The Honorable Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, to discuss her political…
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Transitioning from a Corporate to Non-profit Career
In the relaunch episode of The Purple Line Podcast, Keith Fernandez sits down with CHLI President & CEO, Mary Ann Gomez Orta, to discuss her experience and…
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CHLI’s 2020 and Jobs in a Virtual World
Mauricio Villacres is the Programs Assistant at the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute (CHLI). Previous to his current role, he was hired remotely in…
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Spreading Latinx Culture and Narratives in Museum Halls
E. Carmen Ramos is the Acting Chief Curator and Curator of Latinx Art for the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Ramos's most recent exhibition is ¡Printing the…
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The Evolution of Voting in America
Voting is a fundamental component of our democracy, designed so that We the People, would be the ones to determine the way we shape our society. Over the…
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CHLI Internships Through the Years
From the Ford Motor Company Program to the Gateway to Madrid Program, and more recently the Global Leaders Program, CHLI continues to provide first-class…
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Pay Our Interns: Experience Doesn’t Pay the Bills
Financial anxiety is a burden for many college students, forcing them to turn down unpaid opportunities for jobs that can help make ends meet. Pay Our Interns…
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Journey to the Job: Career Advice with Daniel Botero
Landing a role after college has become increasingly competitive for graduating seniors, especially with the added stress of COVID-19 and its subsequent…
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Diversity and Representation On and Off Screen
Films have possibly become our most accessible form of escape, from within our walls, and time after time we have witnessed the power of film inspire…