About PODER
PODER's Mission
PODER empowers individuals with the necessary academic tools to promote human dignity, increase employment potential, and facilitate participation in the larger community.
Equipo
Leadership Team
Management Team
Staff
Board of Directors
Roberto Arista
Roberto Arista is a Vice President, Business Development Officer at Wintrust Financial Corporation, where he partners with multiple Wintrust Community Banks to serve businesses across the Chicagoland area. With more than 26 years of experience in the financial industry, Roberto has built a reputation as a trusted advisor and relationship builder who is passionate about helping business owners succeed.
He began his career with LaSalle Bank, where he advanced through a variety of roles over a decade serving the North Shore community. Following Bank of America’s acquisition of LaSalle in 2008, Roberto continued to expand his expertise before moving into new opportunities with New York Life and Byline Bank. Today at Wintrust, he combines his depth of experience with a community banking approach that emphasizes personal connections and tailored solutions.
Roberto specializes in working with small to mid-sized businesses, supporting owners as they navigate both opportunities and challenges. He provides customized banking strategies, including lines of credit, commercial real estate financing, and day-to-day business banking solutions designed to help companies grow and thrive.
His dedication extends well beyond the office. Roberto is actively engaged in community and nonprofit leadership, serving on several boards and committees. He is the current Vice President of the Hispanic Business Network and also lends his time and expertise to organizations such as Chicago Tap Theatre and Alliance 98. A strong advocate for Latino-owned and women-owned businesses, Roberto is deeply committed to fostering entrepreneurship, mentorship, and economic empowerment.
Known as both a connector and a community leader, Roberto dedicates countless hours to volunteering, advising, and building bridges between people and resources. His career reflects not only his financial expertise but also his belief in the power of business to strengthen communities.
“For me, banking is more than numbers—it’s about people. I am passionate about helping business owners achieve their goals and giving back to the communities that have given me so much. When businesses succeed, our neighborhoods thrive.”
Josh Ellis
Josh is the co-founder and Executive Director of SUM, which creates restorative experiences outside for groups throughout Chicagoland. Through these safe, welcoming and inclusive experiences SUM helps people connect, focus and take a breath, and for partners like PODER and its community members , helps people often marginalized in nature to find solace, welcome and fun in the region’s parks, preserves and other amazing places.
Prior to founding SUM, Josh spent 15 impactful years at the Metropolitan Planning Council, with a distinguished track record of developing urban and regional development strategies grounded in community aspirations, ecosystem needs and sound public policy. In addition to his current leadership of SUM, he is an independent collaborator with Daylight, and has provided consulting services to the Forest Preserves of Cook County and National Parks Conservation Association. He is an alum of the Council on Global Affairs Emerging Leaders Program, and has been a Board member at PODER for many years, after starting with the organization as an evening ESL teacher during his graduate school years at the University of Chicago.
A New Hampshire native, Josh now lives in Chicago’s South Loop. He loves exploring the world – both near and far – with his wife and two kids.
Victoria Gaspar
Victoria Gaspar was born in Chicago Lawn and grew up on the southwest side of Chicago, in the Clearing neighborhood. She is an alumna of St. Ignatius College Prep and University of Chicago-Illinois, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Criminal Justice with an emphasis in Urban Politics.
Victoria has been in public service for almost 14 years, half of which were with the City of Chicago as a Legislative Aid and Policy Analyst. Since 2017, Victoria has served as the Executive Director of the Southwest Home Equity Assurance Program (SWHEAP)–a unique neighborhood stabilization program from the State of Illinois, developed to insure property values in the southwest side of Chicago.
Victoria is the first Latina to oversee and manage the Southwest Home Equity Assurance Program since its inception in 1989. When not immersed in work or community outreach, Victoria is a health, fitness, wellness, and spiritual enthusiast. A self-proclaimed foodie and traveler with passions in the arts and dance.
Germán González Rico
Germán González Rico is the Managing Partner and Founder of SOMOS Hospitality Group, a company dedicated to creating extraordinary culinary experiences that bridge cultures and celebrate diversity. He launched SOMOS in 2018 and partnered with Michelin-starred Chef Carlos Gaytán to open their first concept, Tzuco, in Chicago. Since then, Germán has led the group’s rapid growth with acclaimed concepts like UMMO and Loft 22 in Chicago, as well as Paseo, Céntrico, and Tiendita in California’s Downtown Disney District—now ranked among the highest-grossing restaurants in the U.S.
A hands-on leader, Germán oversees every aspect of development—from design and construction to daily operations. In 2024, he launched El Grito Chicago, a sold-out two-day cultural festival in Grant Park celebrating Mexican heritage. Looking ahead, SOMOS will expand into Los Cabos and Acapulco in 2025 with two fine dining concepts in iconic luxury destinations.
Beyond hospitality, Germán is committed to civic engagement and philanthropy. He serves on the board of PODER and actively supports organizations including World Central Kitchen, Equality Illinois, the Mexican Red Cross, and the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he transformed Tzuco into a commissary to feed frontline workers through World Central Kitchen.
Originally from Mexico City, Germán began working in restaurants at age 13. He earned a B.A. in Economics from Chapman University and now resides in River North, Chicago, with his French Bulldog, Juanita—SOMOS’s self-proclaimed Chief Emotional Officer.
Manuel (Manny) Jimenez
Manuel (Manny) Jimenez is the First Vice President, Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) Officer for Marquette Bank, a community bank located in the Chicagoland area with 21 branch locations and $1.5 billion in assets. Manny has over 15 years of experience in the banking and mortgage industry. Manny is responsible for ensuring that Marquette Bank continues to meet regulatory requirements under the (CRA). He works to build relationships with community institutions, neighborhood organizations, business development associations, and other non-profit partners. He also manages the Bank’s education programs for financial education, homebuyer classes, and outreach efforts serving unbanked and under-banked individuals. Furthermore, he is actively involved with several affordable housing and counseling organizations, as well as advocacy groups, serving as a member of several boards, task forces and committees.
Prior to becoming the CRA Officer, Manny was a Residential Loan Officer in the Community Lending Group helping clients work towards home ownership and understanding the home buying process. He then served as a Regional Manager managing multiple branches and a team of neighborhood bankers helping families, businesses, and individuals manage their finances.
Marquette Bank ranks in the Top 1% of U.S. banks for CRA performance with nine consecutive “Outstanding” CRA-ratings, the highest performance rating possible, awarded by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. Under Manny’s guidance, Marquette Bank was also recognized for their First-Time Home Buyer Assistance Program with an Excellence & Innovation Award from the Community Bankers Association of Illinois.
Manny is a true relationship banker committed to making the community banking experience enjoyable, reliable, and rewarding to those it serves. He is an active participant and board member for many community groups and boards. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration Degree from Robert Morris University (Chicago, Illinois), and is married with two children. In addition, he is fluent in both English and Spanish.
Donald Spann
Donald Spann, a native Chicagoan, is a seasoned investor and serial entrepreneur who has founded over 20 companies, achieving 4 successful exits. Having himself attended a top K-12 private school in Chicago on a scholarship, Donald values education, networking, and a solid foundation for success.
In 2019, he successfully exited Vicky Virtual Receptionists, a call center serving SMBs with 1,300+ clients across 40 industries. Afterward, Donald shifted focus to giving back, angel investing in over a dozen companies and creating a course that has helped more than 500 students launch over 100 businesses in the call center industry, already generating 10s of millions of dollars in combined annual revenues.
Encouraged by Jennifer Guzman, chairman of the board at PODER, Donald joined their board in 2024 with a mission to revive Oprima-1 as a revenue-generating and job placement avenue for the organization.
Donald is currently the Founder of Call Canna, a contact center for cannabis dispensaries, and Co-Founder of LifeTech Staffing, a recruitment firm focused on the life sciences sector.
Zein Zoulfikar
Zein Zoulfikar works at JP Morgan, where he is a coverage banker within the firm’s sponsor coverage group. Over the course of his 10 year career in banking and finance, he has been involved in a variety of M&A, investing, corporate finance, and client coverage roles across a range of industries and transactions.
As an immigrant to the United States, PODER’s mission strongly resonates with Zein and reflects values that have shaped both his personal and professional journey. He believes in the importance of creating opportunities, expanding access to knowledge and mentorship, and supporting organizations that help individuals and communities build long term success.
Zein earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business with concentrations in Finance and Accounting. Outside of his professional work, he enjoys entrepreneurship and has spent time starting and investing in startups and businesses.
