Maria Rios to be Keynote Speaker at Latina Leadership Conference

Texas Border Business

- Advertisement -

The RGV Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Women’s committee is proud to announce that their Keynote Speaker for the “Latina Leadership Conference” will be Maria Rios, the President/CEO of Nation Waste, Inc out of Houston. Experienced Chief Executive Officer with a demonstrated history of working in the environmental services industry. She is skilled in Negotiation, Business Planning, Operations Management, Sales, and Facility Management (FM). Strong business development professional graduated from Goldman Sachs 10K Small Businesses.

Ms. Rios is the first female Hispanic-owned waste removal company in United States history and one of the largest minority-owned companies in the state of Texas. Nation Waste is a fully-certified, commercial waste disposal company specializing in construction, demolition, commercial/industrial non-hazardous waste removal, portable toilets and recycling service.

In 2018, Rios launched a new division, Nation Safety Net, which leverages a technology solution powered by IBM Watson IoT. In the U.S. nearly 5,000 people die and approximately 27 million workdays are lost each year because of injuries in the workplace. To keep workers safe and mitigate the cost of workplace injuries, Nation Safety Net, in partnership with IBM, created an IoT solution that uses environmental sensors and wearable devices to identify potential dangers and to help employees avoid injury.

- Advertisement -

In 2015 the International Women’s Entrepreneurial Challenge (IWEC) announced Rios as one of the top 27 women entrepreneurs in the world. Fortune named Rios as one of the 2013 Fortune Most Powerful Women Entrepreneurs in the U.S. Goldman Sachs honored Rios as one of its 100 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs.

In 2015 Rios and Nation Waste Inc were featured on CNBC’s Blue Collar Millionaires, a docu-series profiling big personalities who have gained wealth “by getting their hands dirty…and rolling up their sleeves…with a can-do mindset.” CNBC marketed the Rios episode as “The $30M empire built on trash.” She has also received many professional accolades including: 2004 Business Woman of the Year from the Business Advisory Committee from the President of the United States at the White House, 2006 Gold Medal Award for Entrepreneur of the Year from the National Congressional Committee in Washington, DC, 2009 Female Entrepreneur of the Year Award from the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, 2009 BBB Gold Star Award, etc.

Maria Rios is living the American dream, as she began her U.S. journey emigrating from El Salvador as a child. Her family came to the U.S. to pursue education and a better life. Through reliance on faith, a relentless work ethic, and determination, Rios graduated from Houston Community College and earned her BA from the University of Houston, and Stanford University Graduate School of Education, SLELP.

The Latina Leadership Conference is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 13 at the Edinburg Conference Center at Renaissance from 7:30 am to 3:00 pm. Individual tickets are $50 with Reserved Tables of 8 being $550. A Continental breakfast, Lunch, door prizes, Registration bag, etc. are included.

- Advertisement -

Sponsorship’s to have your company logo included on the TV commercial are $3,000, $2,000, $1,000 and $500. Topics to be discussed by experts in their fields are: It’s Time to Stop Having to “Lean In” and ask Men to Stand Up!, Around the World in 30 Minutes – A Secular view of Economic Trends, “Kick Some Glass” – Professions that historically don’t have women; Don’t be Afraid to ask for Help – Recognizing Depression, Anxiety and Mental Health, Power in Politics – Making an Impact in your Community and the World and How Corporate America is Changing the Ecosystem Around Women’s Leadership.

Thus far sponsors include Walmart, HEB, AT&T, City of Edinburg, New York Life and Inter National Bank. For ticket or sponsorship information call the RGV Hispanic Chamber at 928-0060.

- Advertisement -