Latina Life With Jen Aguillon

Today’s Super Latina is an inspiration for anyone who is starting their career with a first time job as a barista or customer service representative. 

Susie Corona, grew up in a predominantly Latino community in Los Angeles, raised by Mexican parents who were proud of their heritage and taught her about good work ethic, the value of education and how not to let fear get in the way of reaching your goals.

Starting as a customer service representative at Verizon, one of the largest wireless networks in America, Susie worked her way up the ranks to her current position as Associate Vice President of Brand Portfolio. Advice for others - Don’t be discouraged and invest in yourself. She gives us insight on steps that can be taken to reach your goal. 

Susie’s connection with her roots and the community has been important to Verizon’s multi-cultural initiatives. The latest one is in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. A collaboration with Total Wireless and Western Union –  an immersive pop up called “Mexico Transferred” which brings the sounds, sights and fragrance of Guadalajara, Mexico to Boyle Heights. It is a reminder how the scent of a flower or the sound of the city can transport us to much loved memories of a time in our lives. 

Here’s to investing in ourselves and embracing our heritage! #hispanic #heritage #guadalajara

Watch the interview on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj3_AsbQ4F1U5_dCtwkHnEw

Today’s Super Latina is an inspiration for anyone who is are starting off their career as a barista or customer service representative. 

Susie Corona, grew up in a predominantly Latino community in Los Angeles, raised by Mexican parents who were proud of their heritage and taught her about good work ethic, the value of education and how not to let fear get in the way of reaching your goals.

Starting as a customer service representative at Verizon, one of the largest wireless networks in America, Susie worked her way up the ranks to her current position as Associate Vice President of Brand Portfolio. Advice for others - Don’t be discouraged and invest in yourself. She gives us insight on steps that can be taken to reach your goal. 

Susie’s connection with her roots and the community has been important to Verizon’s multi-cultural initiatives. The latest one is in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. A collaboration with Total Wireless and Western Union –  an immersive pop up called “Mexico Transferred” which brings the sounds, sights and fragrance of Guadalajara, Mexico to Boyle Heights. It is a reminder how the scent of a flower or the sound of the city can transport us to much loved memories of a time in our lives. 

Here’s to investing in ourselves and embracing our heritage! #hispanic #heritage #guadalajara

Our Latina today is a vibrant, intelligent, strong and inspirational Colombian whose early hardships shaped her perspective on life, helped her create opportunities for herself and fueled her need to support the community. A former model, Sandra Vergara has acted in various TV series, has been a television host and correspondent for various shows (including one with RuPaul), and was on Season 9 of Netflix’s entertaining series Selling Sunset. She is also a survivor of abuse who is taking the stigma out of mental health and is empowering females (and males) through her social media platforms. Her early upbringing was not traditional, as her parents were not able to care for her. She was adopted by her aunt and grew up with her sister, actress Sofia Vergara, until the family left for the States after her brother’s passing. Due to a visa issue, Sandra could not join them. It was during that time that Sandra had to use her internal survival skills to escape some traumatic moments. Two things that have kept her going was, and continues to be, her art and motto: “Don’t take it personally.” She attributes those two things with being here now. After high school she reunited with Sofia and her family, moving from Barranquilla to LA. Her path has taken her from make-up artist to entertainment journalist to television personality to mental health care advocate and now, celebrity ambassador for Osier, a skincare line with a mission of personal healing. She is also partnering with the National Alliance of Mental Illness for upcoming initiatives. Sandra shares advice to those who are interested in pursuing a career in entertainment, the best advice Sofia has shared with her and more. Here’s to being authentic and true to ourselves and to the power of self-resilience

Our Super Latina grew up in the Bay Area with Columbian-Dominican parents who were loving, yet protective, and made sure she kept a busy schedule. Her schedule was so busy that her high school yearbook’s saying stated: “I can’t. I have dance.”  Dance has guided her on her current journey as a singer and songwriter. 

NEZZA’s self described windy path in music led to her 2021 debut album “Solita” (which had over one million streams), sold out shows in 2022 and now, to her new album “Sweat”, which is out in August. More just keeps coming as our Spanglish Pop Princessa is giving her fans a new single, Final Season, on July 31st! 

The world became even more aware of Nezza when she performed the official Spanish version of the National Anthem at Los Angeles Dodger Stadium in June 2025. The performance, as well as the story of her resisting the pressure to not sing it in Spanish, went viral. Note: the Spanish version was officially commissioned in 1945 by the State Department as part of President Franklin Roosevelt’s Good Neighbor policy to foster better relationships with Latin America. Nezza has received support, criticism and hate for that performance. Her upcoming documentary, La Tierra del Valor, examines that impactful event.

She shares how her tight knit family’s support and protection prepared her for getting through that moment (then and now), where she gets her strength from and the challenges of the industry.

The Super Latina we are spotlighting today is a force in the tourism and travel industry. She has a global reach that touches families every day. As the Director of Communications North America for the Merlin Entertainments Group Julie Estrada oversees PR strategies as well as national (and local) media coverage across the US for 43 attractions that include Legoland Resorts, Lego Land Discovery Center, Madame Tussauds, Peppa Pig theme parks and more. This Southern California native has traveled to Dubai, Malaysia and the UK for the opening of the company’s theme parks. Before helping families create memorable moments at these destinations, Julie started her career in broadcast news and was an Executive Producer at the San Diego-based television station KUSI. 

Julie’s mother was born in Guadalajara, Mexico and her father grew up in Kansas. Both of her parents encouraged Julie to try everything she was interested in, whether it was acting and performing in high school or trying out for the Mickey Mouse Club the same year as Christina Aguilera and Justin Timberlake, and making it to the finals!

During our conversation Julie shares how motherhood steered her into public relations, the importance of always trying, how failing will make you stronger, advice her former supervisor shared with her about the three different categories people fall into and knowing which category you fit in will help shape your path. Most importantly, we talk about how her philosophy and relationships can help when navigating uncertainty in the job market. 

Here’s to creating roles that align with your passion and embracing new opportunities!

#latina #latinalife #latinatravels 

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In a new episode of Latina Life with Jen and Milena, we discuss the current administration’s actions towards immigrants and the impact that it is having on the country’s democracy. Many citizens, documented immigrants and undocumented immigrants are feeling anxious, angry, helpless … or unaffected… and so much more. What do you do if you are stopped and detained? What to do if you are witnessing a potential kidnapping by masked men? How is history repeating itself? How do we ensure that the USA continues as a democracy instead of a dictatorship? Why should it matter to all of us? Why are role models important? We cover all these topics and more with immigration attorney Jose Medrano. A first generation Mexican-American, and founder of Medrano Law Firm, he graduated from UCLA, Loyola Law School and passed the California Bar Exam so he could use his real-life experience to represent clients in Immigration Court, Superior Court of California and U.S. Citizenship and Naturalization Services. 

Let’s stand up for everyone’s rights, be positive role models and use knowledge of this country’s past history to continue being the best place to live, to create, to innovate, to prosper, to collaborate with and to be in. 

#latina #latinalife

In a new episode of Latina Life with Jen and Milena, we talk about surviving a crime and how to move forward from it. It was on a beautiful morning, two years ago, when Milena pulled into her garage and was robbed at gunpoint. She shares important information to keep in mind for anyone who finds themselves in a situation like this and why staying calm, following directions and having an exit plan is important. There is not a handbook to guide anyone on how to handle the aftermath. We discuss the importance of therapy, support from family and friends and how the mind shifts after trauma. 

After listening to our conversation, learn more about the next steps as Milena talks to host Amy E Wheeler on the true crime podcast “What Came Next” hosted by Amy E. Wheeler. 

Let’s be nosy neighbors, stay vigilant and protect each other.

#latina #latinalife 

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Today, Latina Life With Jen and Milena talks to Francesca Noel, a young Super Latina who is fearless and authentic. Francesca was surrounded by the arts as she grew up in an unconventional household in Woodstock, NY. She was on the path of a classical trained musician at the Berklee College of Music (and Bard) when she bought a one way ticket to New York City for a movie audition that would change her life. She booked the role of Juliet in the 2021 film “R#J”, a modern-day adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” in which the story is told with modern day texts and social media posts.

Francesca was recognized as a breakout star at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival for that role. It was also that project that emphasized the importance of seeing a reflection of ourselves in front of and behind the camera so that the culture can be more inclusive of the Latin/Latina community. 

Currently you can see her starring in “Goosebumps: The Vanishing” on Disney+ as Alex Diaz, the rule breaker with an edge. Francesca shares her experience working on this successful and popular franchise alongside Ana Ortiz and David Schwimmer. Eso!

Here’s to exploring our roots and embracing new experiences!

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Today, Latina Life With Jen and Milena chats with a Super Latina who is an emerging voice for the new generation. Mayan Lopez is an actress, writer and creator who talks about topics that the Latina community is uncomfortable discussing. Even if it means that she is out of her comfort zone.

Starring in Lopez vs. Lopez, a comedy series about a fictional character based on her real life, with her real life father (known comedian George Lopez), Mayan is showcasing family dynamics, estrangement, mental health and more …with a dose of laughter. Mayan shares how her Tik Tok about her parents’ divorce inspired the creation of her show, the importance of sharing your story and why it’s okay to know that your inner child insecurities might never go away. 

Using her platform, Mayan teaches us that being vulnerable is the bravest thing we can do and how honesty can change culture.

Here is to trusting the process and taking responsibility for your life!

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This week on Latiina Life with Jen and Milena we showcase a Super Latina who is a trailblazer across several industries. Leila Cobo grew up in Cali, Columbia in a musically talented family where her father made sure that she and her sisters were going to do great things and be prepared for the world. She’s a Fulbright Scholar, a gifted concert pianist, an accomplished author of multiple books, recipient of multiple awards (including the Latin Grammys’ “Leading Latin Lady” honor)  and a leading authority on Latin Music and the Latin Music Industry.  As a journalist she has interviewed countless artists from Bad Bunny to Shakira to  Karol G and more. In her role as Billboard’s Chief Content Officer for Latin and Español, she oversees the brand’s coverage of Latin music in all its platforms, as well as all its Spanish-language content. She is a driving force in the international representation of our community in the music industry. 

Leila is programming Billboard Latin Music Week, the world’s longest running and largest Latin Music Industry gathering in Miami. From October 14th to 18th, Latin Music’s biggest music stars like J. Balvin, Gloria Estefan and Chiquis Rivera will be part of workshops, showcases and networking opportunities for a week before culminating with the Latin Billboard Music Awards (airing on Telemundo October 20th).

We take a look at why the global public is embracing Latin music artists now, how the television industry has helped the Latin Music industry and why artists should expand their appearances beyond only Spanish speaking platforms.

During our conversation, Leila shares some key insights she learned from the different careers she has had in the music industry. Here’s to leaning into your passions and welcoming different journeys into your life!