# 193. Carlos Cardenas, CAE, President of Association Latinos, on Leadership, Cultural Superpowers, and Hispanic Heritage Month

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/associations-thrive-5756942/193-carlos-cardenas-cae-president-of-association-latinos-on-leadership-cultural-superpowers-and-hispanic-heritage-month
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/associations-thrive-5756942/193-carlos-cardenas-cae-president-of-association-latinos-on-leadership-cultural-superpowers-and-hispanic-heritage-month.md
Podcast: [Associations Thrive](https://stenobird.com/podcast/associations-thrive-5756942)
Published: 2026-09-03T10:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://www.matrixgroup.net/associations-thrive-podcast/
Audio file: https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/8254c567-e474-4e50-a2de-7057143bfff2.mp3
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Duration seconds: 1567

## Resource

What happens when professionals stop viewing their culture as something they need to minimize at work, and start recognizing it as a leadership superpower? And how can associations create the spaces, programs, and opportunities that help underrepresented leaders build confidence, visibility, and pathways to leadership? In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Carlos Cardenas, CAE, President of Association Latinos. Carlos discusses: How Association Latinos exists to increase the representation of Latino leaders throughout the association community, from mid-level management and the C-suite to nonprofit boards. Why the founders decided Association Latinos needed to become its own 501(c)(3), rather than remain an affinity group. The organization wanted to control its destiny, understand and serve its community directly, and develop programs specifically for Latino association professionals. How Association Latinos seeks to shine a spotlight on Latino professionals who are already doing great work while also “unlocking their confidence” so they recognize their own power and potential. How the CAE Se Puede program and Avanza Scholarship create pathways for Latino association professionals to earn the Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential, while a partnership with Sidecar creates opportunities to earn the Association AI Professional (AAiP) certification. Why a small organization needs to “think like an entrepreneur.” Association Latinos is building creative partnerships with organizations such as ASAE, Sidecar, and the LPGA Amateur Golf Association to provide greater value even without large, consistent revenue streams. How the inaugural For La Causa golf event introduces members to golf, gives volunteers an opportunity to relax and co…

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