Press Release: SER Summit for Latinos in FinServ Sells Out for Third Consecutive Year

Chicago, IL — Aug. 20, 2025 — The SER Summit for Latinos in Financial Services has officially sold out for its third year, solidifying its place as the premier gathering for Latino financial services professionals and allies nationwide.

Founded by industry leaders Vanessa Martinez and Ana Trujillo Limón, the SER Summit was built on a vision of community, representation, and empowerment. What began as a dream to create a space where Latinos in financial services could learn, connect, and recharge has grown into a movement that continues to inspire the industry. This year’s theme is Igniting Your Power: Empowering Success Juntos.

“I don’t think there are words that can describe the emotion I feel knowing that people across the country want to come together and be part of this,” said co-founder Vanessa Martinez. “But if I had to pick a word, it would be proud. I’m proud of all of us Latinos for taking the steps to come together. There are so many things we could do, but we’re investing, not just in ourselves, but in each other.”

The 2025 Summit, which takes place on Sept. 3-4 (with an optional day on Sept. 5) outside of Chicago, will bring together about 140 professionals from early-career advisors to seasoned professionals. Programming includes keynote speakers like Latino CFP^® trailblazer Louis Barajas and behavioral finance expert Samantha Lamas, leadership panels, skills workshops, and networking and activities rooted in culture, connection, and community.

“This isn’t just another industry event,” said returning attendee Uziel Gomez, CFP^®, AFC^®, “It’s a space that amplifies Latino voices, strengthens our presence in finance, and inspires the future of our profession.”

The Summit’s unique approach emphasizes both professional development and the importance of cultural identity in financial services. The event has also grown significantly since its first year in 2023—from about 50 attendees to the projected 140 attendees in 2025.

This year, SER attracted more support from industry organizations. Prudential signed on to be its first-ever Platinum Sponsor. In addition, LPL returned as the event’s sole Gold Sponsor, and Hilltop Securities and the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champagne signed on as Silver Sponsors.

Bronze sponsors include Heron Finance, WealthSpire Advisors, AcquireUp, Morgan Stanley, Parnassus Investments, Expressive Wealth, Left Brain Wealth Management, Carson Group, and the BLX Internship Program. The BLX Internship, which is led by SER Committee Member Luis Rosa, CFP^®, is covering the cost to send a number of young professionals and students to the event.

“Excited to be back with my people this year at the SER Summit for Latins in FinServ,” Louis Guajardo, CFP^®, who is one of the BLX-sponsored attendees, posted on LinkedIn. “Originally, I wasn’t going to make it, but thanks to Gloria S. Garcia Cisneros and the BLX Internship Program, they made sure that didn’t happen. Can’t wait for more memories with mi familia.”

Supporting sponsors and partners include Wealth.com, Envestnet, College for Financial Planning, the Financial Planning Association, the XY Planning Network, and the American College for Financial Services.

“I have such immense gratitude for the sponsors who believe in this mission and the volunteer committee members who put this together every year,” said co-founder Ana Trujillo Limon. “This is truly a labor of love unlike any event I’ve ever attended.”

The SER Summit has become a catalyst for change across the financial services industry, aiming to amplify Latino voices and helping firms recognize the power of the Latino market, which has about $4 trillion in spending power that is ripe for turning into generational wealth. But it’s also a community.

“We share a common thread of what it feels like to be different,” notes SER Committee member Gloria S. Garcia Cisneros, CFP^®, who added that SER is a place where everyone belongs—people who are from other countries, people born here, allies, people who speak Spanish, and people who don’t. It’s a place to learn actionable items to implement in your professional life while also celebrating the various cultures everybody comes from. “I hope you leave SER like I do—every time overfilled and recharged and can’t wait for the next one.”

For media inquiries, please contact: Ana Trujillo Limon, ana@avanyucreative.com, or Vanessa N. Martinez, vanessa@expressivewealth.com.