Corporate Cafecito
Welcome to Corporate Cafecito!
What does it mean to navigate the corporate world as a first-generation college graduate and proud member of the Latine community? Corporate Cafecito is here to help you navigate that journey, blending heartfelt stories, practical advice, and a supportive community where you can thrive.
Meet the Hosts
Corporate Cafecito was founded in 2022 by Nallely Suárez Gass, a first-generation college graduate, coach, and strategist with over two decades of experience. Her successful corporate career and full-time focus on mentoring professionals and entrepreneurs have equipped her with the knowledge to help you unlock your potential and build fulfilling careers. Her passion for uplifting others and celebrating the Latine community is the heart of this podcast.
In January 2025, Carlos Butler Vale joined as co-host, bringing his deep business strategy expertise and strong mentorship dedication. Also a first-generation college graduate, Carlos has made it his mission to help others grow into confident, impactful leaders. Together, Nallely and Carlos create a welcoming space to share stories, offer actionable advice, and inspire growth.
What to Expect
Each week on Corporate Cafecito, you’ll hear meaningful conversations, practical tips, and inspiring stories that celebrate the diverse Latine experience in the workplace. Here’s what you can look forward to:
- Career Growth: You'll receive practical, easy-to-follow advice for advancing your career and building your brand, empowering you to take the next step in your professional journey.
- Leadership Development: How to inspire and lead with authenticity.
- Entrepreneurship: Real-world advice on starting and growing your business, overcoming challenges, and staying motivated.
- Mentorship: Carlos shares how mentorship can open doors, transform careers, and build stronger communities.
- Guest Features: Inspiring guests highlight their stories, share their expertise, and discuss their personal and entrepreneurial journeys.
This podcast isn’t just about professional growth—it’s about celebrating who you are, your unique journey, and the vibrant, supportive Latine community we're building together.
Why Listen?
Corporate Cafecito isn’t just a podcast—it’s a movement. Nallely and Carlos help you embrace your unique journey, achieve your goals, and feel part of a vibrant, supportive community. Whether looking for career advice, leadership tips, or inspiring stories from real people, this is the place for you.
So, pour yourself a cafecito, take a moment, and join us. Every conversation is a step toward your personal and professional success. Let’s navigate the corporate world together—one cafecito at a time.
Episodes
162 episodes
S9 E14 - If Not Now, When? Service, Sacrifice, and Choosing Peace with Michele Garcia
She never left, familia. We just refilled the cafecito. Michele Garcia stayed with me for part two of our Corporate Cafecito conversation, and I’m so grateful she did.What started as a conversation about her career in law enf...
The Weight You Carry After the Badge with Michele Garcia
Hola Familia!Grab your cafecito ☕ this is one of those conversations you don’t rush through.Today’s episode of Corporate Cafecito is live 🎙️ and I had the chance to sit down with Michele Garcia. I went into this thinking we were...
You Don’t Need to Fit In…You Need to Belong with Michelle Martinez
After my first conversation with Michelle Martinez, I knew I wanted her back on the podcast.There was something about the way she talks about connection that stayed with me.So I invited her back, and this time the conversation...
S9 E11 - You Don’t Have a Brand...You Have a Perception with Alex Miranda
Alex Miranda came to Chicago planning to stay for six months.Fourteen years later, he’s still here.We had him on Corporate Cafecito this week, and I went into the conversation thinking we were going to talk about marketing. We d...
S9 E10 - Why Work Feels So Heavy Right Now with Michelle Martinez
Some conversations stay with you. This was one of them.I had the opportunity to sit down with Michelle Martinez, and what I thought would be a light conversation turned into something much deeper.We talked about work, not the ki...
S9 E9- The Job Search Isn’t Just Hard…It’s Personal
Let’s talk about something that’s been sitting heavy for so many people lately…This season right now… it’s heavy.The job search feels longer. The silence feels louder.And the rejection? It hits deeper than we like to admit...
S9 E8 - Carrying It All: Women, Work, and What We Hold
Familia… can I be honest with you for a moment? 💛There have been times in my life where I felt like I had to choose between my career… and my family.This week’s cafecito wasn’t just another conversation.It was one of those m...
S9 E7: A Roadmap - Not a Verdict With Isaias Mercado
This week on Corporate Cafecito, I had the opportunity to sit down with Chicago native, leadership coach, and author Isaias Mercado to talk about his new book releasing today, March 10th: 📚 The 10 F Words of FeedbackDuring our conversati...
S9 E6: Don’t Just Show Up. Show Up Ready.
🔥 FAMILIA… THIS ONE IS FOR YOU. 🔥If you want to elevate in corporate spaces, preparation is your edge.Not luck.Not vibes.Preparation.In this episode, Carlos and I talk about why showing up prepared changes everythin...
Familia, Survival, and Finding Home with Reyna Grande
In moments like this, when immigration conversations feel heavy and uncertain, it becomes even more important to center lived experience.This week on Corporate Cafecito, Nallely sits down with Reyna Grande, who crossed the border ...
Doing It Afraid: Leadership, Change, and Building What Didn’t Exist with Marie Quintana
Today’s Corporate Cafecito episode is live, and I’m bringing Marie Quintana back because her journey cannot be contained in a single conversation.In this episode, we go deep into the corporate chapters that shaped her leadership. From ch...
S9 E3 - Trust at Work: How It’s Built, Broken, and Maintained
Chicago is frozen right now.❄️☕ Chicago is frozen right now. Negative digits over the weekend, snow on the ground, and one of those mornings where everything feels a little slower. The kind of day where you wrap your hands arou...
S9 E2: White Dress Day - Leading When You Don’t Fit the Mold with Marie Quintana
We couldn’t imagine a more meaningful way to begin 2026.Our first guest of the year on Corporate Cafecito is Marie Quintana.Marie is a Cuban immigrant, CEO of Quintana Group, strategic advisor, executive coach, board direct...
S9 E1: Momentum Is Not an Accident
We made it through 2025.That alone matters.As we step into 2026, this episode of Corporate Cafecito is about choosing how we move forward. Not rushing. Not reacting. Choosing with intention.This conversation is an honest...
S8 E17: The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly of 2025
Before we step into 2026, we wanted to pause and talk honestly about 2025. Not just what we survived, but what we learned, who showed up, and how our community kept moving forward even when things felt heavy.In this episode, we reflect ...
AI Is Changing Again with Sergio Suárez Jr.
When we first sat down with Sergio Suárez Jr., Founder and CEO of TackleAI, we were just beginning to understand artificial intelligence. We remember asking things like, “How does it even know what we like?” and wondering if AI could ever reall...
S8 E15: Building Community Through Branding with Patricia Aguilar Founder of El Poder de La Marca®
In this week’s episode of Corporate Cafecito, we welcome an inspiring guest whose story beautifully blends cultura, comunidad, and emprendimiento Patricia Aguilar, Founder and Pr...
S8 E14: From Imposter to Líder with Refugio Atilano
This week’s cafecito hit deep. Refugio “Ref” Atilano joined us for a conversation that every professional, mentor, and dreamer in our comunidad needs to hear. We talked about what it really means to step into leadership and the courage it takes...
Rising Together with Olga Camargo
We’re back, familia 💛After taking some time to pause, reflect, and refill our cups, Corporate Cafecito is back with an episode that reminds us why we started this journey in the first place.This week, we’re joined once agai...
Quiet Cutting in Today’s Workplace
👉 “Quiet cutting is the corporate trend no one asked for, but too many are living through.”Behind polished HR terms are real people facing shifting roles, unclear expectations, and the weight of uncertainty.In this cafeci...
S8 E11: “Why Me… and Not Them?"
🎧 NEW EPISODE – S8 E11: “Why Me… and Not Them?"Have you ever reached a milestone you once dreamed of, only to feel a knot in your stomach instead of pure joy? That quiet voice that whispers, “Why me… and not them?”Success is sup...
Más Datos, Más Dinero – Why Every Latine Professional Should Understand Business Metrics
S8 E10: Más Datos, Más Dinero – Why Every Latine Professional Should Understand Business MetricsMid-year is the perfect moment to pause and ask: Am I on track to hit my goals? Do I know the números that truly tell me the an...
🎧 NEW EPISODE – S8 E9: Deciding Less, Leading More
Let’s be real. Most of us are not exhausted from one big decision. We are drained by the hundreds of small ones we make before noon.From “What should I wear?” to “Can I squeeze in this meeting?”, decision overload is real. And for many ...
S8 E8 25 Years of Comunidad with Jaime Viteri
Jaime Viteri, President of Digital Latinos and founder of the Chicago Latino Network, said it best:“You can’t just call the network when you need the network.”Jaime’s right. A real network isn’t...
Latino, Global, and Building the Table with Danny Miró-Chinea
The moment Danny Miró-Chinea showed up in our LinkedIn feed, we knew. He was not just another voice. He was building something powerful, doing it from every corner of Latin America.He had a prestigious legal career lined up.He walke...