Based in San Antonio, Texas, the Santana Group of companies (Santana Group) are certified minority business enterprises (MBEs) that provides outsourcing solutions to clients in various industries across the United States and Mexico. Their story begins with Founder and CEO, Rosa Santana, who developed and launched a staffing company branded as Integrated Human Capital (IHC), the first company under the Santana Group umbrella, in 2002 after losing her job due to downsizing. Rosa’s ability to pivot and take advantage of new opportunities permeates the Santana Group’s culture, helping the company to grow in lucrative if unexpected ways. 

For example, in 2013 an opportunity arose that would change everything: Toyota offered the Santana Group a contract to assemble truck beds for the Tacoma pickup. Building on their reputation for providing excellent, innovative, and adaptable staffing solutions, the Santana Group accepted the challenge of developing a new and different line of business by creating Forma Automotive, the first Hispanic woman-owned direct Tier I supplier to Toyota.  

“Fearlessly pivoting and diving into a new industry and business line marked an important moment for our group of companies,” said Lisa Navarro-Gonzales, Vice President of Santana Group and Forma. “When Toyota, one of our staffing customers, expressed confidence in our ability to succeed, we knew we had to take the risk. The journey was far from easy, filled with challenges and moments when giving up seemed tempting. However, our unwavering commitment to not letting our customer down fueled our determination each day. In hindsight, it was the best decision we ever made.”  

Shared Nicole Navarro-Velesiotis, Vice President of Santana Group and Integrated Human Capital "The team has consistently demonstrated responsiveness and professionalism. Our partnership with the MBDA feels like a natural extension of our own team, and their genuine commitment to our continued growth and success is something we deeply appreciate.” 

Today, the Santana Group of companies include Forma, Forma Automotive de Mexico, Oveana, Integrated Human Capital, Workforce Management (Mexico), and Diversa. Their history of success, even when navigating the challenges of opening a new manufacturing plant in Mexico during the COVID-19 pandemic, is a testament to the power of women in business. The company has the proven ability to anticipate and respond to shifts in consumer preferences, economic changes, and industry disruptions which helps them to stay ahead of the competition. 

“The MBDA has provided me with the platform and resources to share my business acumen with MBEs to assist them with growth. The Santana Group is extremely successful already, so I concentrate on accelerating future growth by assisting them with their business development priorities and tailoring those strategies to the unique strengths and market position of the company,” said Charles Castro, Senior Business Development Specialist, San Antonio MBDA Advanced Manufacturing Center. “I am excited to see how Rosa along with her daughters, Lisa and Nicole, will continue to lead the company in interesting and new directions. Together, these strong women represent a legacy of perseverance and adaptability to their families, employees, and community.”  

In an effort to pay it forward, Rosa Santa leverages her business acumen to help MBEs through her service on MBDA’s Federal Advisory Committee, where she is joined by 10 federal agency heads and industry leaders focused on needed changes to advance MBEs success around the country. 

To learn more about this dynamic multi-generational company, visit their website.

This past summer, he helped lead MBDA’s innovative panel discussion, Investing in Our Communities: Access to Capital, Contracts and Resources of MBEs in Miami, where MBDA, the Department of Commerce, and other federal agencies shared the many federal resources available to MBEs thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration. Leopoldo also spearheaded the recently established partnership between MBDA and the Binational Chambers of Commerce Federation (FEBICHAM), a multi-national nonprofit representing over 10 Latin American chambers of commerce.   

The Venezuelan American lawyer, writer, and politician advocates for social justice, economic equity, and empowerment throughout the Latin American diaspora. Among his many academic and political accomplishments, Leopoldo holds Master of Law degrees from Harvard University and the University of Miami.  He published his first book "Democracia Económica" in 1996 as a Mid-Career Fellow in International Studies and Economic Policy at Princeton University. In 2019, he also published 94 Paradoxes to Consider in the 21st Century, which was included in the book selection of the prestigious Hay Festival in Cartagena.   

Leopoldo began his political career in Venezuela with the Democratic Action (Acción Democrática) party, upon his return from the U.S. after working for the international law firm of White & Case in NYC, during the Latin American Debt Crisis of the 1980s. During this period, often referred to as the "lost decade", many Latin American countries were unable to service their foreign debt which resulted in many banks stopping new overseas lending and trying to collect on and restructure existing loan portfolios. The abrupt cut-off in bank financing plunged Venezuela and many other Latin American countries into a deep recession. A few years later, he was elected to Venezuela’s National Assembly. 

“The Venezuelan people needed fair representation, so when asked to serve my country I could not refuse. Politics is part of my family history and public service is highly prized,” said Leopoldo Martínez Nucete. “Both of my grandfathers, José Nucete Sardi and Leopoldo Martínez Olavarria, were closely connected to the foundation of Acción Democrática or the Democratic Action party established in 1941, which played an important role in the early years of Venezuelan democracy, leading the government during Venezuela's first democratic period.”   

Leopoldo’s life and career have been driven by the ideals of justice, equality, and freedom. To that end, he openly opposed the Chavista government of former President Hugo Chávez. As an outspoken and high-ranking member of the anti-Chavismo movement in Venezuela’s National Assembly, Leopoldo was able to influence the political, social, and religious communities in Venezuela. He was a force for progress, calling for political and ideological change, which led to him being targeted and threatened by the military, armed social groups, and other Chavista sympathizers.       

In 2005, Leopoldo moved his family to the United States to escape political persecution. Today, the father of four lives with his family in McLean, Virginia and is proud to lend his knowledge and expertise to promoting economic prosperity and empowerment for all minority business enterprises through MBDA’s programs and special projects.