Internship Description

Joyce Romero ’26 interned with Corporate Pero Latinos (CPL), a nonprofit dedicated to advancing the leadership, visibility, and professional development of Latinos in corporate spaces. As a strategy and operations intern, Romero supported national expansion and internal operations by building scalable systems for chapter engagement, sponsorship development, and event execution. Working closely with CPL’s executive team, she crafted a national sponsorship toolkit, developed cross-functional playbooks, and conducted strategic analysis to guide CPL’s long-term growth. Her work supported CPL’s mission to increase Latino representation in leadership and foster a nationwide network of changemakers.

During my internship with Corporate Pero Latinos, I created systems to enhance member engagement and broaden the organization’s reach, helping it better support Latino professionals. My work focused on building the foundation for scalable partnerships and member engagement. I led a partnership prospecting strategy, identifying potential corporate sponsors and community partners that have a track record of supporting Latino initiatives. I developed the annual impact report, highlighting outcomes such as member engagement, community contributions, and professional growth. I also created a sponsorship deck that framed the organization’s mission and value proposition in a way that resonated with corporate social responsibility priorities, emphasizing measurable outcomes, community engagement, and brand alignment. Together, these outputs strengthened Corporate Pero Latinos’ ability to demonstrate impact, attract resources, and expand opportunities for members, aligning with its mission to create meaningful, lasting impact for Latino professionals and their communities.

MBA coursework and leadership experiences informed my approach. Classes such as Entrepreneurial Strategy and The Art of Teaming Up taught me to evaluate partnership opportunities, assess organizational fit, and think about value creation for stakeholders. Involvement in the Hispanic Business Association deepened my appreciation for how affinity groups foster belonging, leadership, and cultural pride. Drawing on this experience, I sought sponsors whose values aligned with Corporate Pero Latinos and whose resources added real value to members’ experiences. Conversations with senior leaders in class and extracurricular settings refined my ability to craft sponsorship pitches that speak to executives’ priorities—emphasizing impact, return on engagement, and strategic value.

A key challenge was determining how to structure partnerships nationally and at the chapter level. The New York chapter, as the founding hub, offered a unique English‑as‑a‑Second‑Language program that distinguished it from newer chapters. As other chapters launched, operating in silos led to inconsistencies in programming, outreach, and member experience. We explored whether establishing a national structure could allow Corporate Pero Latinos to present itself as a unified organization while preserving each chapter’s strengths. Practical questions arose around budget allocation and resource distribution because some chapters had more capacity than others. We needed to articulate a value proposition that was compelling and accurate for external partners, while setting clear expectations for what each chapter could deliver. Addressing these challenges underscored the importance of governance, strategic communication, and flexibility in scaling effectively.

This experience was both inspiring and formative. Observing Sophia’s thoughtful leadership showed me how leading with kindness, clarity, and care builds a strong network of professionals invested in the organization’s growth. Analyzing member engagement and chapter initiatives helped frame Corporate Pero Latinos’ unique value in ways that resonate with partners. I learned that impact comes not only from robust systems but also from leadership grounded in authenticity and service. I am grateful to Sophia, the Corporate Pero Latinos team, and the Tamer Institute for the opportunity to contribute. I look forward to applying these insights to create spaces where underrepresented voices are elevated and empowered.