Being involved in building the National Puerto Rican Diaspora Museum (NPRDM)  has been  an opportunity for me to help preserve and celebrate our rich cultural heritage, history, and contributions of the Puerto Rican community both on the island and in the diaspora. By participating in this initiative, I am playing a role in honoring the stories, experiences, and resilience of Puerto Ricans who have migrated to the United States and beyond, while also creating a space for education, connection, and empowerment.

I believe the NPRDM has the potential to have a profound impact on future generations, providing them with an immersive experience that showcases the diverse and vibrant tapestry of Puerto Rican culture and identity. Through this museum, we can amplify the voices and narratives of the Puerto Rican diaspora, fostering a sense of pride, belonging, and unity among community members and visitors alike. My passion for cultural preservation, community empowerment, and social impact is part of my life journey.

Marilyn Alverio
Treasurer

Growing up in an urban neighborhood, Marilyn learned early on about the impact of giving back to the community, volunteerism, and paying it forward. Her parents moved to Connecticut from Puerto Rico and instilled the importance of la Familia, tradition, culture, our language and being involved in La Comunidad.  Today, Marilyn is a proud bilingual and bicultural contributing member of the community. She earned her B.A. from the University of CT. in Storrs, CT and later an M.B.A. from the University of Phoenix. 

Marilyn boasts over thirty years of experience in the corporate sector, having held various management roles in industries such as airlines, pharmaceuticals, education, finance, and health insurance. In addition to her corporate background, she is also a successful entrepreneur, having founded Ethnic Marketing Solutions, an agency specializing in strategic marketing for companies seeking to engage with multicultural markets. During her tenure at Aetna Inc., Marilyn served as the national director for Ethnic Markets, overseeing initiatives to reach diverse consumer segments. At MassMutual, she held a director-level position at ValoraLife, a digital startup, where she spearheaded the development and implementation of a comprehensive digital life insurance product tailored to the U.S. Latino population.

As the creator and producer of Latinas & Power Corp, she has achieved significant success in establishing a national network for Latina professionals and entrepreneurs. The organization hosts the annual Latinas and Power Symposium® (LPS) since its inception in 2003. The primary mission of LPS is to inspire, motivate, and equip Latina professionals with the tools they need to succeed and become influential leaders and advocates in their respective fields. The audience of LPS includes Latinas who are navigating their career or entrepreneurial journey, providing them with valuable networking opportunities, workshops, camaraderie, inspirational speakers, and a platform to share strategies for success. While the network has been operational since 2004, Latinas and Power Corp officially obtained non-profit status as a 501(c)(3) organization in 2019 and she was unanimously appointed by the Board of Directors as its Chief Executive Officer.

In 2023, she further expanded the impact of her mission by launching the Latinas in Leadership Institute, a 6-month certificate program designed to cultivate influential leaders and advocates within the Latina community. This initiative underscores her commitment to empowering Latinas and fostering their professional growth and development.

Marilyn’s has a distinguished record of having served on many diverse boards including Connecticut Health Foundation, Spanish American Merchants Association (SAMA), Hartford Economic Development Corp. (HEDCO, the United Way of Greater Hartford). Currently, she is a member of the University of Hartford’s President’s Advisory Board and the Diversity Advisory Council, and The Governors Social Equity Council. Currently she is a founding member of the Puerto Rican Diaspora Museum Board of Directors. 

Over the past two decades, Marilyn’s achievements and contributions have been recognized with numerous awards, including: 

2001 – Aetna Chairman’s award for surpassing sales goals by 160% 

              (representing $800 million in Assets under Management)

2009 – Latina Paving the Way

2013 – Top Most Influential Latinos in Hartford CT region

2012 – Grand Marshal of the Puerto Rican Parade of CT

2013 – Women of Distinction, Entrepreneur of the Year, SBDC Hall of Honor

2013 – Brazilian Women’s Association’s Influential Latinas Award

2019 – Hispanic Lifestyles, Latinas of Influence in the U.S.

2024 – Remarkable Women of CT, an ABC Ch 8 annual award during Women’s History Month