WASHINGTON, Nov. 5, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) is delighted to announce the advancement of DeVere Kutscher to Senior Vice President for the USHCC Foundation. DeVere joined the USHCC six years ago and has served as VP of Marketing and Communications, Senior VP of Strategy and Chief of Staff.
"DeVere has been an integral part of the USHCC leadership team, serving in strategic roles as an executive since 2009. We are fortunate to have him now join our USHCC Foundation, where he will apply his leadership experience to a dynamic part of the organization. The Board of Directors for the Foundation has coalesced over the past year, ensuring the Foundation is primed for growth," said Javier Palomarez, President & CEO of the USHCC.
Nina Vaca, Chairman of the USHCC Foundation, added: "DeVere will work tirelessly to strengthen our current partnerships, including those with the LGBT, African American and Asian business communities, and build new relationships, raising the profile of the Foundation. In his new role, he will oversee an exciting new phase of critical growth, while we continue to offer programs focused on women entrepreneurs and executives, local chamber leadership, at-risk youth and scholarships."
Current USHCC Foundation programs and initiatives include:
At the Table: Women in Business and Leadership – An initiative led by the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Foundation, ensures women entrepreneurs and business professionals are receiving the much needed resources and influence to propel them to higher levels of success. This program achieves this through in-person events and an entrepreneurship competition with a focus in STEM to honor rising female leaders and celebrate their accomplishments.
BizFest – The BizFest Youth Entrepreneurship Program is an innovative program that empowers youth with knowledge and insight into the world of business. This three-day concentrated workshop teaches high school students how to establish entrepreneurial and leadership goals, reinforces networking in a professional environment, and emphasizes the importance of education.
Chamber Training Institute – A free two-day training hosted by the University of Notre Dame to build the capacity of all chambers, offering executive development, support and resources to strengthen and build local business communities. Over 820 local chamber leaders and 253 chambers have been trained through this program since 2010, including executives from the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, the U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce and the U.S. Black Chambers.
Local Chamber Grant Program – Our grant program provides $100,000 in funds each year directly to local chambers of commerce across the country for programs that strengthen and foster the growth of small business communities. Recipients report back both mid-year and annually with metrics on how many individuals and businesses have been scaled, trained, or certified as a result of the grant. The Foundation cultivates professional relationships with more than 200 member Chambers and business associations across the country, serving as a resource for training in leadership, professional development, access to grants and valuable networking events.
Scholarships – The USHCC Foundation issues over 65 scholarships per year, including more than $250,000 offered in collaboration with Wells Fargo and the Hispanic Scholarship Fund. Generous scholarships are also available for chamber executives wishing to complete a Master's of Nonprofit Administration at the University of Notre Dame's Mendoza School of Business, as well as funding for college students in the fields of STEM and business administration. A number of scholarships are also offered by our Hispanic Business Enterprise partners.
ABOUT THE USHCC
Founded in 1979, the USHCC actively promotes the economic growth and development of our nation's entrepreneurs. The USHCC advocates on behalf of nearly 4.1 million Hispanic-owned businesses that together contribute in excess of $661 billion to the American economy, each year. As the leading organization of its kind, the USHCC serves as an umbrella to more than 200 local chambers and business associations across the nation, and partners with more than 250 major corporations. For more information, visit www.ushcc.com.
ABOUT THE USHCC FOUNDATION
The mission of the USHCC Foundation is to enrich the experiences of future leaders in the world of business through life-long learning and support. The Foundation's initiatives awaken and nurture the entrepreneurial spirit, support business growth, strengthen local chambers and foster leaders. Please visit www.ushccfoundation.org for more information on the USHCC Foundation.