Claudia Schabel, moderating the Business Resources Interactive Panel at the JEFAS Business Excellence Summit at Drake University. Photo by Jennifer Marquez / JEFAS Magazine
DES MOINES, Iowa — The energy inside the JEFAS® Business Excellence Summit 2026 was difficult to miss.
There were hugs between old friends, introductions between new ones, business cards exchanged, ideas shared and plenty of cheering as Latina entrepreneurs and professionals celebrated one another’s successes.
But perhaps the best way to understand the impact of the third annual Summit is through the women who experienced it themselves.
“Honored to be part of the JEFAS® Business Excellence Summit 2026—an inspiring experience filled with connection, learning, and growth,” shared Angelica Gallardo of Fresh House Cleaning in Waukee, Iowa, following the event. “Grateful to be surrounded by powerful women who inspire, lead, and continue to make a difference. Together, we grow. Together, we succeed.”
Held at Drake University in Des Moines, the Summit brought together Latina entrepreneurs, professionals, business owners, community leaders and allies from across Iowa, Nebraska and Illinois for a day centered on learning, leadership, business growth and, perhaps most importantly, connection.
For Keilin Marleny of Lush Wellness Co. in Polk City, those connections carried a deeper meaning.
“There’s something so special about being in a room filled with strong, driven women, learning from incredible speakers, making new connections, and celebrating ambition, culture, and femininity all at once,” she wrote. “As a Latina who grew up with very little, being in rooms like these will always mean a little more to me. Proud of where I come from, proud of what I’ve built, and proud to see so many Latinas doing the same.”
That sense of possibility could be felt throughout the day.
Leslie Mayorga of LVL UP Claims, LLC in East Moline, Illinois, described the Summit as “a day surrounded by ambitious, driven women who are building, creating, and making things happen.”
Her takeaway was simple: “Latinas in business. We’re just getting started.”
More Than Networking
From its beginning, the JEFAS® Business Excellence Summit has been designed to go beyond traditional networking. The goal is to create an environment where Latinas can find practical information, resources and relationships that help them move forward personally and professionally.
For some attendees, that support has become part of their entrepreneurial journey.
Lupe López of Lupe’s Flowers in Des Moines has attended the Summit all three years.
“This is my third year attending this event, and every year it surprises me even more!” she shared.
“Starting and growing a business isn’t something you can do alone. You need a lot of support, guidance, resources and, above all, people who believe in you and your vision. JEFAS has been one of the greatest sources of support I’ve received along this journey.”
López thanked the JEFAS team for encouraging women to take their businesses to the next level, adding that the impact goes far beyond words.
“They give us the resources, tools and connections we need to truly make it happen.”
Those connections were especially evident in the experience of Janet Madrigal Manzo of Nane’s: Hair, Nails & Lashes in Marshalltown.
Janet Madrigal Manzo asking a question at one of the workshops offered at the JEFAS Business Excellence Summit.
Photo by Jennifer Marquez / JEFAS Magazine
“JEFAS Summit 2026 was a full-body experience. Screaming, dancing, hugging and rooting for each other like cheerleaders—that’s what this is,” she wrote. “Latinas in business, Latinas in leadership, Latinas in power—all in one room, lifting each other higher.”
Madrigal Manzo arrived at the Summit with one personal goal: say yes to every connection.
Throughout the day, she reconnected with women from previous leadership programs, met potential collaborators, connected with another Latina interested in the tax profession, celebrated the accomplishments of friends and introduced herself to women she had never met before.
“And that’s not even half of it,” she wrote.
It is exactly the kind of organic relationship-building JEFAS hopes to foster—not simply exchanging contact information, but discovering opportunities to collaborate, mentor, encourage and grow alongside one another.
What Does It Mean to Be a JEFA?
The Summit also provided an opportunity to reflect on a question at the center of the growing JEFAS community: What makes a JEFA?
For Cinthia Tirado of BX Home Solutions in West Des Moines, the answer goes far beyond a professional title.
“To me, being a jefa is about more than titles and accolades,” she wrote. “It’s about freedom, self-expression, and tending to all of your temples.”
Those “temples,” she explained, include body, mind, spirit, relationships, home, work, creativity, finances, rest and even your future self.
“Many thanks to JEFAS Magazine for continuing to connect, inspire and empower all the jefas who are jefas in their own unique rhythm and in their own way.”
That spirit extends beyond entrepreneurs themselves.
Alejandra Jimenez of the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce in Omaha, Nebraska, attended expecting a day of networking but said she walked away with much more.
“I went in expecting a day of networking and left with new knowledge, meaningful conversations, and even more inspiration to continue supporting women in business,” she shared. “Grateful for spaces like these that celebrate, connect, and amplify Latina women and their stories.”
Karla Hauptly of Karla Hauptly Studio in Clive, Iowa, echoed that sentiment.
“I learned with a group of small business owners how to maximize our business potential, connect, and create a better community for all!”
For Lucero Garcia of Community Accident & Recovery Center in Omaha, being part of the Summit was also about recognizing the collective power women can have in their communities.
“Para nosotros es importante estar en esta conferencia y descubrir el poder que tenemos las mujeres,” she shared, emphasizing the importance of using that power for the good of the community.
Graciela Van Wyk presenting at one of the breakout sessions: From Entrepreneur to Business Owner: Beyond Sales—Building Wealth Photo by Jennifer Marquez / JEFAS Magazine
There Is Room at the Table
These voices reflect what JEFAS® has been working to build from the beginning.
A JEFA is ambitious, resilient, authentic and community-minded. She leads with confidence, honors where she comes from, creates opportunities and opens doors for others. She knows there is room at the table for all of us—and when there isn’t, she builds a bigger table.
The 2026 JEFAS® Business Excellence Summit was one day, but the relationships created there are intended to continue long after everyone leaves the room.
Because building successful businesses matters. Developing leaders matters. Creating wealth and opportunity matters.
But doing it while creating opportunities for the women coming alongside and behind us is what transforms individual success into something much bigger.
And as Leslie Mayorga put it:
“Latinas in business. We’re just getting started.”
Stay Connected: Join the JEFAS® Inner Circle
The Summit may be over, but the JEFAS® community continues year-round.
Join the JEFAS® Inner Circle to stay in the know about what’s happening in the JEFAS community, connect with other Latina entrepreneurs and professionals, and receive special invitations to exclusive JEFAS® events, gatherings and opportunities throughout the year.
If the Summit reminded us of anything, it is that powerful things happen when Jefas get in the same room.
Come grow with us. There’s a seat at the table for you.
Stay connected with stories that celebrate Latina leadership, business and community. Visit JEFASMagazine.com for inspiring features, resources and updates created for the next generation of JEFAS!
