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BEST UNDER 40

Dear readers,

It is my absolute honor to introduce this special Best Under 40 POWERLIST publication that celebrates the incredible contributions and journeys of emerging leaders of color under 40. These trailblazers represent not only the future of leadership but the embodiment of resilience, courage, and the power of dreams realized.

As I reflect on the stories shared in this issue, I’m reminded of the challenges that often come with blazing a path that hasn’t always been paved for us. The barriers may have been many, but these leaders didn’t just overcome them—they shattered them, creating opportunities not just for themselves, but for others who will follow in their footsteps.

This publication isn’t just about honoring achievements. It’s about recognizing the spirit of leadership that seeks to uplift, transform, and empower communities. Each individual profiled here carries with them a vision of what’s possible when passion meets purpose, and they remind us that the journey to greatness is as important as the destination itself.

To the leaders featured: You inspire all of us. You challenge the status quo, redefine success, and elevate the voices of those who need it most. We celebrate you not just for what you’ve done, but for who you are—authentic, visionary, and driven by a deeper mission to leave the world better than you found it.

To our readers: I hope these stories move you, just as they have moved me. Let them serve as a reminder that no dream is too big, no goal too far, and that each of us has the power to lead from where we are, regardless of title or position.

Thank you for joining us in celebrating the unstoppable force that is emerging leadership, and here’s to the bright futures that lie ahead for these extraordinary individuals.

COLOR, an a liate of BridgeTower Media, provides premier events focused on empowering professionals of COLOR. For over a decade, COLOR has maintained a strong reputation for creating informative content and thought leadership as highlighted on its online publication ColorMagazine.com.

COLOR Magazine - 40 Court St., 5th Floor Boston MA, 02108 publisher@colormagazineusa.com

Executive Vice President Jaime Raul Zepeda Jzepeda@bridgetowermedia.com

Sales Manager - Best Companies Group James Delaney jdelaney@bestcompaniesgroup.com

Studio Design Manager Jordan Mazuranic jmazuranic@studiobtm.com

Publisher

Warmly,

Jaime Raul Zepeda Executive Vice President, COLOR Magazine

www.colormagazine.com

POWER BEST UNDER 40 TABLE

Jamie Rockymore-Bess

Santiago Villegas

Paula A. Gutierrez

Colvin Prince

Carolina Davis

Kimberlyt Dayana

Victor Johnson

Jessie Hernandez

Cecilia Flores-Rodriguez

Isis Ortiz-Belton

JAMIE ROCKYMORE BESS FOUNDER

Helpful Living Magazine

Jamie Rockymore-Bess is the founder of Helpful Living Magazine, a publication devoted to help individuals understand mental health and wellness. Her publication journey with Helpful Living started in 2019 and became international in 2021. She provides a platform for people with lived experiences to share their story, entrepreneurs to discuss their programs and clinicians to write thought provoking topics to help individuals understand what goes on in a therapeutic setting. Her passion comes from working in the mental health industry for over 15 years, after she obtained her bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2009. She then moved to receive her master’s degree in contemporary communications in 2016, and decided to create a space where people can learn more about mental health. She currently has a podcast “Going Thru W/Jamie” which launched in 2023, and her future goal is to expand Helpful Living Magazine into a media center where people can go to the website and learn about mental health initiatives, policies and disparities pertaining to mental health and wellness.

SANTIAGO VILLEGAS

CEO AND CO-FOUNDER 1903 Public Relations

Santiago Villegas, CEO and co-founder of 1903 Public Relations, a native to Central California has years of experience in the public relations industry that he has leveraged to lead nationally recognized, award winning campaigns on behalf of clients. He has worked with startups, publicly traded companies, and government entities to create strategies that have penetrated markets, motivated multi-million-dollar deals and investments.

With 1903 Public Relations he is developing an agency that, contrary to established institutions, is composed of a diverse sta dedicated to the execution of top-tier creative strategies that deliver real-business benefits for clients globally.

PAULA A. GUTIERREZ

SR. DIRECTOR, PATIENT & CLINICAL TRIAL ENGAGEMENT

ProKidney

Paula A. Gutierrez is a healthcare executive with nearly 20 years of experience rooted in firsthand patient and provider experience across nonprofit, academic, Fortune 500, and biotech organizations. She began her career as an organ transplant coordinator, gaining a deep understanding of both provider realities and the lived experiences of patients in renal and transplant care. Paula has held leadership roles at NY-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell, RWJBarnabas Health, CVS Kidney Care, and ProKidney. She currently leads Patient and Clinical Trial Engagement at ProKidney, a cell-therapy biotech focused on chronic kidney disease, where she bridges science, care team, and patient experience by strengthening scientific understanding, enhancing provider communications, and integrating the patient voice into operational decision-making. Paula holds a Master’s in Healthcare Administration from Seton Hall University, a Certificate in Equity in Health Care from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and a Bachelor’s in Biology from New Jersey Institute of Technology.

COLVIN PRINCE

SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR Auburn University’s Harbert College of Business

Colvin Prince, Jr. is a digital strategist and higher education communications leader who utilizes storytelling as a vehicle for connection, opportunity, and belonging. As Social Media Director at Auburn University’s Harbert College of Business, he leads strategies across social platforms and cultivates the next generation of communicators and digital storytellers. Through the Harbert Social Media Ambassador Program and student internship initiatives, he empowers emerging leaders with hands-on creative experience that translates into career pathways across corporate communications and global business. Guided by creativity and collaboration, Colvin’s work amplifies voices, strengthens community, and equips the next generation to thrive.

CAROLINA DAVIS

DIRECTOR OF FINANCE

Hollywood Casino Perryville

Carolina Davis is the Director of Finance at Hollywood Casino at Perryville, where she plays a pivotal role in both financial strategy and organizational leadership. In addition to overseeing financial operations, she leads six departments, including Compliance, Cage, Purchasing/Receiving, and Facilities, and serves as a trusted leader in the General Manager’s absence. Carolina manages a team of 50 and is deeply committed to developing talent, fostering trust, and empowering employees to reach their potential. Through mentorship, community involvement, and a people-first approach, she helps shape both the company’s financial strength and its culture.

KIMBERLYT DAYANA

MANAGER, OPERATIONS &

ENGAGEMENTS

The National Hispanic Corporate Council (NHCC)

Kimberlyt currently serves as Manager of Operations and Engagements at the National Hispanic Corporate Council (NHCC), where she oversees administration, member engagement, marketing and communications.

As the program lead for NHCC’s corporate programming, Kimberlyt plans and executes both in-person and virtual convenings. She leads NHCC’s Virtual Convening Leaders Series, which highlights diverse and intersectional perspectives—including Afro-Latinas, Latino Asians, LGBTQIA+ professionals, veterans, and talent acquisition leaders—while fostering meaningful dialogue around culture, gender, and identity in the workplace and marketplace. These year-round webcasts provide an authentic platform to elevate stories and experiences across the Latino and Hispanic corporate community.

In addition to her programming work, Kimberlyt manages daily operations, social media, graphic design, event and meeting planning, research, and outreach initiatives. Kimberlyt also serves as Program Manager for NHCC’s Leadership & Accelerator Program (LEAP), an executive leadership initiative designed to cultivate and elevate corporate leaders for expanded leadership opportunities.

VICTOR JOHNSON

DIRECTOR OF PLAYER DEVELOPMENT

Penn Entertainment

As Director of Player Development at Penn Entertainment, Victor delivers world-class gaming experiences by blending data-driven strategy with high-touch player development. Managing two premier properties in Maryland and West Virginia, he leads a high-performing team of 24 hosts and two managers to scale revenue and build brand loyalty. With 20 years of sales expertise, he views leadership through the lens of chess and history—focusing on the tactical “long game” to turn potential into growth. His philosophy is simple: whether he is chasing market share or the next big catch on the water, success requires patience, strategy, and perfect timing.

STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS FOR GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONS

Capgemini

Jessie Hernandez is a technologist leader whose work centers on service to underprivileged and vulnerable population groups. His perspective is shaped by sustained proximity to communities navigating displacement, inequality, and limited access to essential resources. Having navigated childhood speech disfluency, Jessie brings a deep awareness of voice, access, and accountability into his work. His leadership reaches across institutions and communities, shaping how people are protected and supported at scale. He mentors leaders and holds a clear standard: progress must serve people first. His leadership is defined by conviction, reach, and lasting impact.

CECILIA FLORES-RODRIGUEZ

SENIOR PROGRAM MANAGER, PROVIDER PERFORMANCE AND EQUITY

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts

Dr. Cecilia A. Flores-Rodríguez is the Senior Program Manager for Provider Performance and Equity at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. In this role, she co-leads the Equity Action Community (EAC) to support provider organizations in advancing their health equity work. Previous to this current position, I was a program manager for a HRSA SPNS initiative aimed at improving the care and treatment coordination for Black women living with HIV. Her background is in public health and racial health equity research. She received her Bachelor’s and Master’s from Tufts University, and holds her doctoral degree in Social Policy from the Heller School for Social Policy and Management. Her work is centered around improving health for all, program evaluation, intervention implementation and equity training and facilitation. She was recently named one of the ALX 100, recognizing 100 local Latinx Leaders.

ISIS ORTIZ-BELTON

VICE PRESIDENT, PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT TEAM LEADER Eastern Bank

Isis Ortiz-Belton is a seasoned financial services and banking professional with more than 16 years of experience in credit risk, corporate finance, and underwriting. She currently serves as Vice President and Portfolio Manager at Eastern Bank. Prior to joining Eastern, Isis held various roles in leading financial institutions.

A dedicated community leader and champion of diversity, equity, and inclusion, Isis is deeply committed to advancing education and financial literacy for minority students, as well as advocating for the rights of women, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ communities. She served as President of the Boston chapter of the Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA) from 2021-2023 and currently serves as Chapter Advisory Board member for ALPFA Puerto Rico. Beyond ALPFA, Isis contributes her leadership and expertise across numerous boards, including, but not limited to the Phoenix Charter Academy Network, The Trustees of Reservations, Lawrence Community Works, United Latinas, and Raising a Reader Massachusetts.

Isis earned dual B.A. degrees in Mathematics and Business Management from Emmanuel College, an M.S. in Finance, and an MBA. She has also been selected for several prestigious leadership fellowships, including Latinos for Education, the Boston Future Leaders program, and LEADS Lawrence.

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BEST UNDER 40