Name: Leo Prieto
Hometown: Kansas City, MO
CHCI Internship 1999: Senator Sam Brownback
CHCI Fellowship 2000-2001: 1st Placement: Rep. Luis Gutierrez; 2nd Placement: U.S. Department Justice, Office of Special Counsel for Immigration Related Unfair Employment Practice
CHCI Scholarship 2003
1. What have you been doing since you finished the CHCI program(s)?
I worked at the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute from June 2001 to August 2003 as the First Central States Regional Director in Kansas City, KS. I coordinated grassroots leadership development programs and voter registration campaigns for twelve states. After receiving a law degree from Kansas University I began to work as Director of Latino Relations for the Kansas City Wizards serving as a liaison between the team, the Hispanic media and Kansas City Latino community and international markets. My responsibilities included marketing, sourcing corporate partnerships, creating Spanish language media opportunities, grassroots efforts, advertising/marketing opportunities, charitable work, political activism and working closely with youth and adult soccer leagues. I have been promoted to Director of Corporate Partnerships where I handle corporate sponsorships. The revenue generated in MLS soccer is strategically a result of companies reaching out and targeting Latino communities. I also handle international friendly matches and partnerships.
2. What impact did your CHCI experience have on your career and development as a leader?
CHCI was an amazing experience that changed my life. It allowed me to get out of my comfort zone, gave me confidence to compete and be amongst the best, and allowed me to develop my diverse leadership skills at all levels. It gave me the political, corporate, and legal experience as a foundation to succeed in anything that I do.
3. How have you stayed engaged in community service?
In law school through educating undocumented workers on their rights and through USHLI, organizing and mobilizing Latino voter registration campaigns and motivational speaking in Latino communities.
4. What advice would you give current and future CHCI participants?
Get out of your comfort zone and be yourself. People will forget your name, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget the way you made them feel.
5. Where do you see yourself in the next 5-10 years?
In five years as the “Mexican Jerry McGuire” and in ten running for national office.