Forward Janesville - TheReport - Fourth Quarter 2023

16 | FORWARD JANESVILLE Members Making an Impact MANUEL MARAVILLO Entrepreneur Founding Member, Consejo Empresarial Latino (Latino Business Council) Manuel is a well-known entrepreneur and a founding member of Forward Janesville’s Latino Business Council. He came to the Janesville area more than 20 years ago and quickly established himself through business, first in the food sector and now in real estate. He’s a strong believer in bringing people together and giving back to the community. As a member of the Council, Manuel is a thought leader and doer - he sees where the Council needs to go and motivates people to get there. What motivated you to be a founding member of the Consejo Empresarial Latino? The investors of the community need and deserve to be represented. I firmly believe that by forming the Latino Business Council, it will show that we are many businesses united. Let us remember the saying “unity is strength.” By being united as a group, we will be taken into account. By communicating our needs, concerns, and ideas together, we can reach the next level. What is important about the Consejo? Within the Council we are businesses, but behind it we are people. When I look at the group, I have a valuable perspective of my origins. I see enthusiastic, visionary, and brave people eager to do something different. I see the new investor leaders. Janesville is a great city. We are changing as a community. I arrived here in 2001 and we Latinos have made ourselves noticed. We stand out for being good workers, loyal, responsible and, above all, having a high sense of what family means.Today, I can’t imagine a Janesville without Latinos. As Latinos, we have a great opportunity to be noticed in our role as entrepreneurs and what better place than Janesville? What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? In my life I’ve had many great friends, so there would be an infinite amount of good advice, but I think the one that surpasses all is Trust in God. LAURA CULLEN HUIBREGTSE Training Development Manager, JP Cullen Workforce Partner, Craftsman with Character Laura was one of seven workforce partners that helped Craftsman with Character launch in the School District of Janesville in 2023. Now, Forward Janesville and its workforce partners are getting it off the ground in other school districts and encouraging countless students to be part of this pre-apprenticeship program. Laura’s involvement with Forward Janesville started five years before when she helped young professional group JOIN Janesville launch in 2018. Laura is dedicated to service, community change, and making things grow. What are the biggest lessons you’ve learned from being part of Craftsman with Character? I’ve met so many great people at FJI, School District of Janesville and its high schools, BTC, BHCCU, and the partner organizations. It has taken passion, commitment, Manuel Maravillo is inspiring Latino entrepreneurs and bringing them into the fold as part of the Consejo Empresarial Latino (Latino Business Council). Laura Cullen Huibregtse is powering the Craftsman with Character workforce development initiative. Tracy Schroeder embodies the potency of personal connection and relationship building as an Ambassador. Volunteers from our membership personify Forward Janesville’s Power of Community. They lean in to make our mission felt and work seen in the community.