People On The Move
Driven and Influential Latina Shaping the Expansion of the Small Business Ecosystem
People On The Move
By Josaline Cuesta, California Program Director, Small Business Majority & IEBJ Content Contributor
Based in Southern California, Xiomara Peña is currently the Vice President of Programs & Engagement at Small Business Majority, where she leads a team of 13 to drive the organization’s external engagement efforts and build visibility. Xiomara has grown into an executive position at Small Business Majority, so I sat down with her to learn more about that evolution and her thoughts on the future of the small business community.
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For nearly a decade, Xiomara Peña (Xio) has worked in various roles at Small Business Majority to ensure that entrepreneurs feel supported and empowered. To align with Small Business Majority’s mission, she has focused on lifting the voices of diverse small business owners to create an inclusive and equitable table that benefits smaller firms in underserved communities.
She has been named one of the “Top 50 Women Leaders of Los Angeles for 2023;” showcased among changemakers such as America Ferrera, Kali Uchis, and Emeraude Toubia on a list of 100 influential Latinas shaping our world; and she currently serves on the Advisory Council for Support Latino Business, just to name a few of her accomplishments.
As the daughter of immigrant parents born in Honduras and Mexico, Xio knows firsthand the uphill battle many immigrants endure to gain the American dream. “My parents worked hard and were fortunate to be able to apply their entrepreneurial skills towards making a living,” said Xio. She grew up in low-income areas and became a single parent at a young age. But she also became a first-generation college student who hustled through school, being pushed by the example of her immigrant parents, who heavily touted the importance of working hard. “I take from these experiences and lean on them in my everyday work,” said Xio. She continues, “While some may describe them as barriers, they created opportunity and promise to me.”
Indeed, many small businesses–especially those owned by people of color, women, and immigrants–encounter multiple obstacles to small business ownership due to entrenched discriminatory policies and practices exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the daunting consequences of the pandemic, Xio has always searched for the positives. She has been excited to witness the recent surge in new business formation among the Latino community and the pursuit of independent enterprises due to entrepreneurs seeking new opportunities to combat layoffs and cutbacks. “Entrepreneurship is a proven pathway for Americans from all walks of life to build an income, independence, and financial security for themselves, their families, and their employees. This path to finding independence has become even more essential for people in under-served communities who have been shunned by traditional access to capital opportunities.”
Alongside the organization’s small business engagement team and other leadership, Xio works collaboratively to strengthen relationships with policymakers, small business owners, and organizations nationwide to amplify an equity lens in the small business ecosystem. She understands the power of community-based organizations and the strength of knowledge. Although she has worked with various small business owners and small business organizations across the country, her deep-seated work in California has given her a unique perspective on the true needs of Latino and Black small business owners who have faced systemic barriers to ownership. She has described these challenges as a “broken infrastructure that promotes chronic job loss, income instability, and a continuous cycle of poverty.”
Ahead of National Hispanic Heritage Month, Xio is once again helping to lead innovative thinking and working to expand access to capital for under-resourced communities. Presented by Small Business Majority and powered by Support Latino Business, Xio will helm the 2023 #SupportSmallBiz Grant that opens on September 14 and will award four grant prizes totaling $2,500 each to eligible small businesses. This grant is a fantastic opportunity for Hispanic-owned small businesses to access the capital they need to grow and expand their businesses.
Additionally, starting in September, Xio will take on more opportunities to fix the broken small business lending infrastructure by supporting a new partnership with Small Business Majority’s Venturize.org and Community Reinvestment Fund, USA (CRF) to expand a network of responsible small business lending partners and assistance providers to support entrepreneurs nationwide. “Inequalities in the small business ecosystem have always existed, even before the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic only exacerbated the barriers that have always been present and created even greater vulnerabilities for entrepreneurs, especially in the lending industry. Small business owners of color are huge contributors to our economy, and we want to be certain they have the tools, resources, and capital they need to thrive. I’m excited to help build transparency in this space and create sustainable generational wealth through entrepreneurship,” said Xio.
Join our mailing list to learn more about Small Business Majority and Xio’s work to support small businesses. Find free, unbiased education and resources, including how to apply for the #SupportSmallBiz Grant, by visiting: Venturize.org
People On The Move
Kaiser Permanente Appoints New Senior Vice President and Area Manager for San Bernardino County
Kaiser Permanente is proud to announce the appointment of Ruby Gill as the new senior vice president and area manager for the San Bernardino County Service Area. With a distinguished career in healthcare leadership and a passion for community health, Gill is poised to lead Kaiser Permanente’s efforts in delivering high-quality, affordable care in the region.
“I’m honored to lead the San Bernardino County Service Area, which plays a vital role in caring for one of the most dynamic and diverse regions in Southern California,” Gill said. “My focus is on supporting our teams as they continue delivering excellent care to our members and ensuring our services reflect the needs of the people we serve.”
Gill brings more than 20 years of leadership experience with Kaiser Permanente Southern California. She began her career in 2000 as a staff registered nurse at Kaiser Permanente Anaheim Medical Center and has since held a series of progressively responsible leadership roles. From 2012 to 2022, she served as chief nurse executive at Irvine Medical Center, and most recently, she was chief operating officer at Baldwin Park Medical Center.
“Ruby Gill brings extensive experience and strategic leadership to her role as vice president of the San Bernardino County Service Area,” said Michelle Gaskill-Hames, regional president of Kaiser Permanente Southern California and Hawaii. “Her commitment to improving the health of our members and those we serve in the community will help strengthen care delivery across the county.”
Gill holds a Bachelor of Science in nursing, a Master of Business Administration in health care management and a Doctor of Nursing Practice. She is also a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.
“Our physicians and care teams share a strong commitment to providing high-quality, patient‑centered care for our members and communities,” said Dr. Timothy Jenkins, area medical director of Kaiser Permanente San Bernardino County Area. “With Ruby stepping into her new role, I look forward to a robust partnership between clinical and operational leadership to support our teams throughout the service area.”
“Ruby brings a strong combination of strategic vision, a clear commitment to our mission and a collaborative leadership approach,” said Dianne Suess, chief administrative officer for the Kaiser Permanente San Bernardino County Area. “She has a proven ability to lead, drive performance and engage collegially across the organization, and I look forward to partnering with her in this role.”
Kaiser Permanente’s San Bernardino County area serves nearly 680,000 members across the largest county in the U.S. More than 10,000 physicians and staff care for patients across two hospitals – Fontana Medical Center and Ontario Medical Center – and in nearly 20 medical office buildings, including locations in Chino, Claremont, Colton, Fontana, Hesperia, Montclair, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Redlands, San Bernardino, Upland and Victorville. The hospitals have earned numerous awards and accolades, including U.S. News & World Report Best Regional Hospitals and Best Regional Hospitals for Equitable Access, Newsweek’s America’s Best Maternity Hospitals and Magnet® Recognition from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, among others.
Executive Profile
Pankow Builders Launches Pankow Wood Structures to Expand Mid-Rise Housing Capabilities
PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
Pankow Builders has launched Pankow Wood Structures, a new business unit created to expand the company’s capabilities in wood-framed construction and support a growing portfolio of mid-rise multifamily projects across California. The unit focuses on Type III and Type V construction across multifamily residential, affordable housing, senior housing, student housing, and mixed-use developments.
Pankow Wood Structures is led by Carl Vizcarra, who joins the firm as Vice President. Vizcarra brings more than 25 years of experience delivering complex wood-framed and multifamily projects throughout California. A graduate of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, with a B.S. in Construction Management, he has led more than $1.4 billion in multifamily and mixed-use construction.
“Pankow Wood Structures allows us to broaden how we support housing delivery across the state,” Vizcarra said. “By combining dedicated wood-framed expertise with Pankow’s collaborative approach, we are positioned to deliver efficient, well-coordinated mid-rise projects.”
Vizcarra is supported by experienced project executives Jon Stoa and Sean Mishlof. Stoa brings more than 20 years of experience managing multifamily, mixed-use, and student housing developments totaling over $600 million in construction value. Mishlof contributes more than 13 years of experience overseeing nearly $1 billion in multifamily and mixed-use construction, guiding projects from early design through closeout.
Together, the team strengthens Pankow’s ability to deliver mid-rise housing projects with clarity, coordination, and disciplined execution.
People On The Move
CB&T Welcomes Darren Delle Donne to its Premier Wealth Banking Team in Rancho Cucamonga
PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
Darren Delle Donne has joined California Bank & Trust in Rancho Cucamonga as Vice President, Relationship Manager. With 15+ years in wealth management, he brings expertise in financial planning, client advisory and small business consulting. He’ll help clients identify financial gaps and connect them with long-term solutions. You can contact Darren by phone at (669) 669-1927 or by email at Darren.DelleDonne@calbt.com.
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