Image via Jensen Toussaint, PHILADELPHIA.Today.
As GPHCC marks a decade under Jennifer Rodriguez’s leadership, its commitment to empowering Latino-owned businesses remains unwavering.
It has now been a decade since Jennifer Rodriguez began serving as president and CEO of the Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
Over the past decade, she has led the organization through growth, change, and challenges. However, the focus has remained the same: expanding opportunities for the region’s Latino-owned businesses.
As we are facing a period of significant change across the nation, challenges are prevalent.
“For small businesses and Latinos, in general, the cost and ease of doing business in the Philadelphia region, access to capital and reliable resources and information, continue to shape the decisions Hispanic entrepreneurs are making every day,” said Nestor Torres, board chair for the Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
GPHCC remains as committed as ever to navigate this environment through advocacy, strong partnerships, and valuable programming that work “to ensure Hispanic businesses are supported, informed, [and] positioned to grow and participate in economic opportunities,” Torres added.
In 2025, GPHCC welcomed more than 200 new members, 163 entrepreneurs enrolled in the Chamber’s business education program, and hundreds more have participated in its several webinars.
That’s just the beginning.
“Our agenda for 2026 is also very ambitious,” said Rodriguez during the recent Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting on March 26.
The Chamber recently launched Traction and Growth — a new program designed to help entrepreneurs sharpen their business strategy, strengthen their operations, and build a foundation that will lead to sustained success.
“We now offer a complete entrepreneurship journey for our members,” said Rodriguez. “Business owners can access structured, immersive education at every stage — from early stage to building blocks and expansion.”
As GPHCC aims to expand its services, it has also invested in a new membership experience with a refreshed website and the launch of a new app, My Glue.
It allows members to collect, collaborate, and do business with one another on a single platform.
“This is how introductions become relationships, and how relationships become opportunities,” Rodriguez said.
As the nation’s 250th birthday celebrations approach, GPHCC is also launching a new culture passport powered by the Let’s Rally app. This will aim to harness increased tourism for the semiquintennial festivities, FIFA World Cup 2026, and several other major events that could drive foot traffic to the region’s Latino-owned businesses.
In the coming months, new features will also be released, including the launch of affinity groups designed to further deepen engagement among members.
Meanwhile, this fall, the Chamber will partner with the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia to produce a new State of Hispanic Business report.
“This report is central to our advocacy work, elevating data and insight while ensuring that the needs, challenges, and aspirations of Hispanic businesses are documented, visible, and impossible to ignore,” said Rodriguez.
To close out her remarks, Rodriguez gave a call to action to the entrepreneurs and supporters in the room to help shape the future together.
