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Adriana Gonzalez President/CEO Latin Chamber of Entrepreneurs of Houston and International The year 2026 is shaping up to be a key period for the Latin Chamber of Entrepreneurs, marked by significant challenges but also by great opportunities for growth, consolidation, and social impact. In a changing economic environment, with accelerated technological advances and new market demands, the CELH must strengthen its role as a strategic ally for Latino entrepreneurs. One of the

Why this territory between Asia and Europe remains, 100 years after its Republic, a strategic, cultural, and human powerhouse that every global entrepreneur should understand. *By Patricia Contreras There are countries you visit.And then there are those you “understand,”  says Hassan Lasle, historian and expert in cultural tourism in Turkey, during a videopodcast with WoodlandStories Magazine in Istanbul. Turkey belongs to the latter category. Not only because it is the only

Education, leadership, and a vision that positions Latino entrepreneurship in the United States The year 2025 marked a turning point for the Professional Business Partnership (PBP). It was a period of institutional consolidation, strategic clarity, and conscious leadership, during which the organization reinforced its commitment to the development of Latino entrepreneurship in the United States under a clear and actionable philosophy: Give and Grow. Two milestones marked this

By 2026, the economic outlook for the United States—and particularly for the Houston region, including The Woodlands—points to a period of stabilization following years of volatility. This new phase is expected to be marked by moderate growth and a shift in the primary drivers of employment. 1. U.S. Economic Outlook for 2026 Experts from institutions such as Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and the Federal Reserve agree that the U.S. economy remains resilient, operating under a

By WoodlandStories Magazine The year 2026 begins with renewed leadership at the Mexican Entrepreneurs Association (EMA), The Woodlands–Houston chapter. As of January 1, attorney Alan San Miguel assumed the presidency of an organization that now transcends borders, nationalities, and stereotypes, positioning itself as a hub for Latino and multicultural entrepreneurs seeking to grow, invest, and prosper responsibly in the United States. While the association’s name reflects its

Experts in nutrition and fitness. A living example of how to stay healthy after 50. Muscle mass defines healthy aging We don’t pursue aesthetics, but real functional health Cardio alone is not enough because it does not change metabolism By Patricia Contreras From the womb, Elena and Adriana Cochesa began their lives together. This is not a metaphor: they are identical twins, with a level of similarity so precisely even in their dental structure — that it became the subject o

2026 arrives with a clear conviction: opportunities don’t happen by chance—they are built through authentic relationships and strategic connections.At WoodlandStories Magazine, we believe every new year is an invitation to grow, collaborate, and tell stories that inspire action. This year, we will continue strengthening our community through strategic ConeXions that unite purpose, business, and vision. We will do so through carefully curated experiences designed to create re

Erica Gonzalez Hattery, MD, MHA President Latin American Medical Association of Houston (LAMAH) For 35 years, the Latin American Medical Association of Houston (LAMAH) has served as a pillar of support, representation, and advocacy for Latino physicians and trainees across Greater Houston. Founded in 1990 by dedicated Latino physicians, the association has grown into a vibrant network committed to mentorship, community service, and advancing culturally responsive care. This y

*By Patricia Contreras Ulises Kukulas is one of those entrepreneurs who don’t just build businesses, but lasting relationships. An Argentine born in Buenos Aires to Athenian Greek parents, he has spent more than four decades living in Greece, dedicating his life to a form of tourism rooted in respect, closeness, and a deep human sensibility. He lived 23 years in Argentina, where he played soccer, worked at the Argentine and Uruguayan consulates, taught Spanish, and developed

When Pride Gives Way and Love Grows This note was written by Manuel Monroy, husband of Nelly María Duarte, as a testimony of what he learned, how he grew, and the impact of the Re-Engage (Renewal) course he recently completed at Covenant Church in The Woodlands. The course allowed us to gain and apply various tools and resources that have strengthened our marriage. Today, I would like to share some specific experiences that reflect that impact. The first has to do with the ac

How Mexican music brings hearts together and transforms lives around the world *By Patricia Contreras I met Christian and his talented Mariachi  group at a very special Christmas concert organized to support the physical recovery of Kikín, another of the protagonists we have had the honor of featuring in WoodlandStories Magazine . That evening, as the audience became visibly emotional, Christian not only conducted the group but also stepped into the role of photographer, capt

It doesn't get you drunk; it makes you MAGICAL One of the most emblematic drinks in Mexico. Product of up to 30 varieties of Agave (Maguey), good even for medicine. Pre-Hispanic origin. The history of mezcal dates back more than 2,000 years. Although mezcal as we know it today did not exist, pre-Hispanic civilizations, such as the Zapotecs, already cooked the heads of the agave (called "piñas") in earthen ovens to obtain food and fermented must. The name "mezcal" comes from t

By Mercedes Fuster Director, Women with Values In The Woodlands, there is a community of women who deeply believe in the power of support, sisterhood, and personal and collective growth. Women with Values (Mujeres con Valor) is a group created for women who wish to strengthen themselves from within, connect with other women, and become agents of positive change in their lives, their families, and their community. What are Women with Values? Women with Values is a community of

My name is María Fernanda Rubio. I am Colombian, a Business Administrator with a specialization in Strategic Marketing from CESA, and I bring more than a decade of experience leading and developing brands and strategic accounts for multinational companies such as Coca-Cola, Unilever, and Juan Valdez, among others. Three years ago, I returned to The Woodlands after nearly three years living abroad in Indonesia. That homecoming marked more than a geographical return—it became a

María Claudia Caldas  Expresidente LAMAH 2023/2024  Board Member LAMAH - Chair of Mentoring Program As a Board Member and Past President of the Latino Medical Association of Houston (LAMAH) for 2023–2024, I have witnessed firsthand the extraordinary power of mentorship to transform lives, careers, and communities. Our Mentorship Program is not simply an educational initiative—it is a bridge between generations of Latino physicians, students, and aspiring health professionals

By Patricia Contreras* In an exclusive conversation, strategist and visionary Ernesto Verdugo , creator of the concept of Recursive Artificial Intelligence , shares ideas that redefine what we understand about intelligence, consciousness, and technological evolution. His message is clear: AI is not just learning from humans… it is beginning to understand itself. Q: What differentiates Recursive Artificial Intelligence from traditional AI? Ernesto Verdugo: “Traditional AI foll

By Patricia Contreras* In the world of diplomacy, brilliant résumés abound, but few carry behind them such a deeply human story as that of Jesús Miguel Sanz Escorihuela (Madrid, 1963). Now the Consul General of Spain in Houston, he has traveled across half the globe in the name of his country. And yet, when you listen to him speak, it becomes clear that his greatest pride lies not only in the positions he has held, but in the people, memories, and roots that have accompanied

By WoodlandStories Magazine Juliana Lasses is not just a singer. “I’m a singer and I’m also the leader of the Rogers band,”  says the Colombian artist who has turned her life into a musical journey across two continents. Her story is one of a woman who reinvents herself, who “traveled with a suitcase full of dreams”  and found an unexpected stage for her music in Texas. From Colombia to the heart of Texas Born in Colombia, a country she says she “deeply loves,”  Juliana disco

In Houston, Texas, Woodland Stories Magazine  keeps creating spaces to connect with inspiring Hispanics who reinvent themselves and share their stories. This time our spotlight is on Valeria Charrabe, a Venezuelan who gracefully balances her life as a mom, entrepreneur, and content creator. From the very start of the interview, Valeria expresses gratitude: “Thank you, Paty, for opening this space and for sharing the stories of people like me—those of us who live entrepreneurs

When WoodlandStories Magazine  was born, we had a very clear vision: to tell the stories of Hispanics in The Woodlands, in Houston, and beyond. Stories of men and women who came to this country to start businesses, fight for opportunities, move forward, create companies, generate jobs, and contribute to the economy that today positions us as the fifth largest in the world. We wanted to reveal the faces and the people behind every business, every project, every act of resilien