From Representation to Leadership: Yessica Perez on Empowering Latina Women in Restaurants

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re spotlighting Yessica Perez, Chief People Officer at Ojos Locos Sports Cantina—a brand built by and for the Latino community.Yessica’s story is one of representation, resilience, and results. From her own career journey to overseeing teams where more than half of management roles are filled through internal promotions, she is proving what’s possible when Latina women are given real opportunities to lead. In this episode, Yessica opens up about how Ojos Locos is creating economic mobility for Latina women, why representation matters at every level of leadership, and how restaurants can intentionally build cultures of mentorship and career growth.It’s a conversation about empowerment, culture,  leadership, and the steps we can all take to lift up the next generation of Latina leaders.