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This edition holds a very special meaning for us. We are celebrating the second anniversary of WoodlandStories Magazine, a project born from the belief that stories have the power to connect people, inspire communities, and open doors to new opportunities. What we could not have imagined when we began this journey is that our second anniversary would coincide with a day equally focused on the future: the Venezuela Reawakening Summit, led by José Pereira Ruimwyk, an energy and

What business leaders can learn from a leader who has had to manage crises, public pressure, reputation, teams, budgets, and difficult decisions. From Colombian immigrant to leader of the third-most-populous county in the United States, Lina Hidalgo, Harris County Judge, speaks exclusively with WoodlandStories Magazine about leadership, crisis management, reputation, ethics, mental health, and the opportunities that emerge when someone dares to try. By Patricia ContrerasCEO a

The Ambassador and Consul General of Ecuador in Houston leaves Texas after a tenure defined by community engagement, national promotion, and a deeply personal conviction that extends far beyond diplomacy: treat people the way you would want your own family to be treated. By Patricia ContrerasCEO, WoodlandStories Magazine Representing a country in Houston also means building trust, opening markets, and shaping how the world perceives a nation. That was one of the less visible—

The Human Vision Behind Resiliencia I By Carolina Arboleda Attorney, construction entrepreneur, and founder of Resiliencia I What does it mean for an older adult or a person with a disability to preserve their independence? Sometimes it begins with everyday decisions: choosing when to get up, preparing a meal, organizing a routine, moving around safely, or asking for help when it is needed. These simple actions represent something essential: retaining control over one’s own l

Goya’s story demonstrates that a brand does not build reputation through advertising alone. It builds it by turning its values into an experience that millions of people can recognize generation after generation. By Patricia ContrerasCEO, WoodlandStories Magazine During our conversation on Sin Libreto by WoodlandStories, Mayte Weitzman, Goya Foods’ public relations executive in Texas, spoke not only about the company’s 90-year history. Perhaps without intending to, she spoke

By WoodlandStories Magazine The earthquake that shook Colombia also tested something harder to measure: the ability of a nation, its institutions, businesses, and communities to respond when every plan is suddenly put to the test. On August 10, 2026, at 7:34 a.m., Colombia received a brutal warning from nature: a 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck with its epicenter near San José del Palmar, in the department of Chocó, at a depth of 103 kilometers. The Colombian Geological Servi

Martha Vega SaninCEO & DirectorWorld Impact Foundationworldimpactfoundation@outlook.com We would like to begin by expressing our heartfelt gratitude to WoodlandStories Magazine for giving us the opportunity to share our story—and, above all, to invite you to become part of a cause that was born from love. World Impact Foundation was founded in 2023 by two women with a shared dream: Mónica Tejerina (RIP) and Martha Vega, united by a desire to help children in Colombia and Vene

Hermes Ruiz CEO - OleWow On August 10, the earthquake literally woke me up. It was my birthday. In Cali, as I ran out of the building, my brother was evacuating the University Hospital while walls were coming down, and my 13-year-old nephew was descending eleven floors with his dog as older adults fell on the stairs. We all survived. Thousands of Colombians began a very different story that day. The first hours revealed something worth remembering: when urgency became absolut

By Lorena Aguilar Llorente Moving to a new country comes with many challenges. One of them has been asking myself how we want to raise our children in this culture. How do we hold on to our values in an environment we don’t fully know yet? In my family, personal connections are an important value: being involved, genuinely interested, and caring about each other’s inner world. Making sure the people we love feel seen, heard, understood, and important to us. I realized that sc

Houston will host a high-level conversation on Venezuela’s emerging business and investment landscape. HOUSTON, TEXAS — August 27, 2026 — The Venezuela Reawakening Summit, taking place Thursday, September 17, 2026, in Houston, announces the confirmed participation of representatives from key U.S. government institutions. Representatives from the U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Commercial Service, Venezuela Business Information Center (VBIC), Office of Foreign Assets Control

Carolina Arboleda Administrative Lawyer | Construction Entrepreneur Why Talk About Resilience Today? We live in an era in which cities are growing faster than our ability to anticipate the changes the future will bring. For decades we have spoken about development, innovation, infrastructure, and economic growth, yet we have rarely stopped to ask whether we are truly building communities prepared to face the challenges that have already begun. The word resilience is often ass

"Human trafficking doesn't always begin with an abduction. More often, it starts with a message on social media." By Patricia ContrerasFounder & CEO, WoodlandStories Magazine When we think about human trafficking, we often picture a crime that happens somewhere else—something we see in movies or associate with countries plagued by violence. But the reality is far different. Today, trafficking can begin with a teenager's smartphone, a child's tablet, or what seems like an inno

José Pereira Ruinwik, CEO of the Venezuela Reawakening Summit, explains why the time to plan Venezuela's reconstruction is now. WoodlandStories Magazine Editorial Staff As the world watches the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that struck Venezuela, one reality is becoming increasingly clear: the country's reconstruction is no longer a hypothetical scenario—it is an urgent priority that demands leadership, strategic planning, and responsible investment. What only a few

By Corina Guzman For years, Impaktemos has been committed to developing sustainable educational initiatives in Venezuela, with an active presence in La Guaira, where we have maintained social programs and organized vacation camps for children. That close relationship with the community is now the foundation from which we are responding. While rescue teams continue working to save lives following the recent earthquakes, we have responded on two critical fronts. During the most

When a natural disaster strikes a nation already weakened by years of structural challenges, the real question is not how much was lost—but how trust can be rebuilt. By the WoodlandStories Magazine Editorial Team An earthquake can reduce buildings to rubble in a matter of seconds. Rebuilding a nation can take decades. That is the reality Venezuela faces today. Yet perhaps the most important question is not how many homes collapsed, how many roads were destroyed, or how many h

EDITORIAL Businesses transform economies, but people transform the world. In this edition of WoodlandStories Magazine, we invite you to pause for a moment and remember that even in times of uncertainty, compassion, leadership, and hope remain the most powerful forces for building a better future. The stories you will find on these pages share a common thread: people and organizations that have chosen to take action. Business leaders who understand that success is measured not

By Patricia Contreras Founder & CEO, WoodlandStories Magazine In a digital ecosystem where algorithms reward retention, authenticity, and impact within seconds, stories like Jhonatan Olivares don’t just inspire—they align perfectly with how today’s social platforms work. “Today we woke up in a new Venezuela”… and he almost got fired for saying it live Jhonatan Olivares, a young Venezuelan journalist and TV presenter, recalls a defining moment from his time in broadcast news:

Por Patricia Contreras* Directora- CEO WoodlandStories Magazine By Patricia Contreras*CEO & Director, WoodlandStories Magazine Speaking with Diego López Maradona inevitably means connecting with the legacy of Diego Armando Maradona—his uncle and one of the most influential figures in the history of world soccer. Yet far from living in anyone’s shadow, Diego has turned that connection into a platform for impact, building his own path through discipline, resilience, and purpose

By Woodlandstories Magazine In a landscape where doing business in the United States is often seen as a natural next step for Mexican entrepreneurs, the reality requires more than intuition: strategy, guidance, and a trusted network. As Gina Tello explains, she serves as Binational President of the Mexican Entrepreneurs Association (AEM, 2026–2028) and is a key figure in strengthening the chamber’s cross-border impact. She is the first woman in 30 years to lead the organizat

By Julian Marino Head Coach The passion of soccer is the definition of Junior’s Athletics is making a meaningful impact by helping young athletes grow both on and off the soccer field. More than just a soccer club, Junior’s Athletics is a place where children develop discipline, teamwork, confidence, and a true love for the game. Focused on youth development, the club provides a positive and supportive environment where players of all skill levels can learn and thrive. Whethe