Liliam M. López, “Lily” President/CEO and founder of the South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (SFLHCC), is a highly accomplished individual who has dedicated her career to empowering and advocating for Hispanic communities. She has served in various leadership roles in organizations such as the South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Spanish American League Against Discrimination, and the Alliance for Aging. Additionally, López is a sought-after motivational speaker and has been invited to speak at various events and commencement ceremonies. Through her work with the South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Foundation, she has helped provide scholarships to financially disadvantaged Hispanic students. López has also been recognized for her leadership and invited to participate in a private roundtable discussion with President Barack Obama at the White House. She has served on numerous boards, including the Entrepreneurial Advisory Council of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta’s Regional Economic Information Network and the Board of Directors of WLRN Public Radio and Television. She currently serves on three prestigious boards: Adrienne Arsht Center of the Performing Arts Trust Board, the Miami Dade Beacon Council and the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau. López’s dedication to her community and her impressive accomplishments make her a true leader and role model. She currently serves on three prestigious boards:
Liliam graduated from St. Thomas University with a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Political Science in 1988. Liliam M. Lopez has received numerous awards, 15 Proclamations from different Mayors of Miami Dade County, and the City Keys to the City of Miami Beach presented by the Honorable Mayor David Dermer on June 20, 2002.
For 10 years Lopez was the producer and host of a weekly television show, “Panorama con Liliam Lopez” that aired on WLRN Cable-Tap. The program highlighted the career of executives, elected officials, and entrepreneurs at the local, State and national levels. The pandemic required Lopez to pivot. She launched a digital show, “A Business Minute with Lily Lopez”, which is featured on all social media platforms reaching over 23,000 businesses.
South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
The South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (SFLHCC) is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1994 with the goal of promoting business leadership, creating economic opportunities, and providing legislative advocacy for the Hispanic business community in South Florida. With a diverse population of approximately 70% Hispanics, Miami-Dade County serves as a gateway to the Americas and offers immense potential for companies to do business with people from different backgrounds and experiences. The SFLHCC provides opportunities for its members through local programs aimed at improving the economic condition of the Hispanic population. The organization has over 1,650 members and advocates for thousands of Hispanic businesses in Florida. It is recognized as one of the most influential Hispanic chambers in the country and one of the leading Hispanic business organizations in Florida. The SFLHCC is a 501(c)(6) non-profit organization.
The SFLHCC has grown over the years and is now recognized as one of the most influential Hispanic chambers in the country and one of the leading Hispanic business organizations in Florida and I the nation. The chamber serves as a platform to promote business leadership, create economic prospects, and provide legislative advocacy for the Hispanic business community in South Florida.
Under Liliam’s leadership, the SFLHCC has flourished into one of the most resilient Hispanic chambers in the United States, boasting a membership of over 1,650 individuals. Additionally, the SFLHCC Foundation has awarded more than $975,000 in scholarships to underprivileged students at Miami Beach Senior High School and Miami Springs High School who are pursuing careers in the fields of Business and Hospitality. The Foundation’s Education Enrichment Fellowship Program, which is a component of its efforts, has taken students to significant destinations such as Microsoft headquarters, Facebook, Comcast, Southwest Airlines, the nation’s Capital, and other significant venues, in order to empower these young people. These initiatives contributed to the SFLHCC Foundation’s recognition as a Champion of the Miami-Dade County Public School’s Academy of Hospitality and Tourism.
On Path of Successful Leader
Liliam is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of her organization. Her duties include coordinating chamber luncheons, meetings, awards ceremonies, television appearances, and overseeing the organization’s social media platforms. She also hosts a digital show called “Business Minute with Lily Lopez.” Liliam finds the greatest joy in seeing the success of her organization. One of the most satisfying moments is observing the high attendance ranging from 200 to 400+ at the chamber luncheons held every month. Additionally, she feels a sense of accomplishment seeing her LinkedIn following reach over 15,300 followers. Liliam’s happiness stems from the growth and success of the organization she founded with only four members.
Liliam shares the significance of several critical attributes for a successful leader. Firstly, humility is a vital characteristic that a leader should possess. Leaders must never let success make them arrogant and overconfident. Secondly, leaders must be compassionate and understanding towards their team members and society in general. In today’s world, everyone faces various issues, and a leader should understand their staff’s problems and be available to listen to their worries and concerns. By doing so, leaders can build a supportive environment where everyone feels valued, ultimately leading to the success of the organization.
Adopting the Post Pandemic Changes
The pandemic forced Liliam’s organization to adapt quickly, and the changes that were made have been overwhelmingly positive. When the organization had to close for five months due to COVID-19, they switched to virtual conferences and events via Zoom. During this time, Liliam launched her digital show, the “Business Minute with Lily Lopez,” which she was able to do easily due to her experience hosting a Spanish-language television show for the chamber for 10 years.
After five months of virtual events, the organization decided to start hosting live events again with all necessary precautions, such as open windows, plexiglass barriers, and mask-wearing. They held an outdoor reception in late September 2020 and followed up with live luncheons in October, November, and December of 2020, which were smaller in size to maintain safety. The decision to offer live events proved to be a major success, as they provided a much-needed opportunity for members to network and connect in person. In fact, the organization grew tremendously during this time, with a significant increase in membership and a tremendous following.
While other Chambers of Commerce closed for two years, Liliam’s organization’s willingness to adapt and innovate helped them stand out and thrive. Overall, the pandemic has been a catalyst for positive change within the organization, with the introduction of new digital initiatives and a renewed focus on the importance of in-person networking and events.
Advocating Diverse Cultures
As a woman leader in Miami, Liliam recognizes the importance of understanding and embracing the diverse cultures that make up the community. With 70% of the population of Hispanic descent, she believes it’s crucial to recognize that Hispanic people come from different countries and have unique identities, including distinct foods, traditions, and beliefs. Miami is a shining example of multiculturalism, with residents from Haiti, Jamaica, the Bahamas, and other places, all living together in harmony.
Liliam believes that one quality that many leaders lack today is a deep passion for the issues they care about. She has observed that some leaders may become overly focused on special interest groups, which can have negative consequences for everyone. In addition, some leaders may lose sight of their humble beginnings and become arrogant, forgetting that they are there to serve their constituents rather than special interests.
Despite these challenges, Liliam believes that most leaders are great individuals who genuinely care about their communities. She emphasizes the importance of remembering one’s roots and staying connected to the people one serves, regardless of how much recognition or success one achieves. For Liliam, leadership is ultimately about compassion, care, and humility, qualities that she strives to embody in her own work.
More Women in Board
Liliam is a strong advocate for increasing the representation of women in leadership roles within businesses and corporate boards. She is particularly concerned about the lack of progress for Hispanic women, despite the fact that they are the largest minority group in the US. Liliam believes that there are many qualified women of all races who could excel in top positions, and that it is unacceptable for the percentage of women CEOs to remain so low. She opines “As women we should support each other. Unfortunately, we all know that sometimes there are women that don’t support other women and that needs to change. They pretend they do but some just don’t. Perhaps some women feel threatened by a woman leader and they compete too much against each other and that affects the overall possibilities of women being hired to top positions. Obviously, the main problem is society in general, but I do see light at the end of the tunnel.”
Message for All Women Visionaries
Liliam is a continuous learner and draws inspiration from the accomplishments of great women throughout history. She believes that discipline is a key factor in achieving success. While younger leaders may have different work patterns, it is important for them to dedicate sufficient time and effort to their work. Liliam acknowledges that social media can be a distraction, even for herself, but she uses it solely as a promotional tool for the organization. She cautions that younger generations may be too absorbed in social media, potentially causing them to lose valuable time that could be spent on more important tasks.
She advises the younger generation of women in leadership roles to always remain true to themselves. She emphasizes that pretending to be someone you’re not will not help, as people can easily tell if you are an authentic leader or not. Real leaders acknowledge their weaknesses and mistakes, just like everyone else. Moreover, it is crucial not to overestimate oneself and to listen to others’ viewpoints. While being open to discussion, one must also trust their instincts as a leader.
Written by Steve Sanchez.
