Every Hispanic Heritage Month, Chicago Latino Network shares the stories of people whose journeys reflect the talent, ambition, resilience and impact of our community.
This year, we’re proud to introduce another remarkable group of Latino leaders, entrepreneurs and changemakers — each with a different story, a different path and a meaningful contribution to the communities and industries they serve.
Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re sharing their stories in their own words — the experiences that shaped them, the lessons they’ve learned and what continues to drive them forward.
Delia Osegueda: Success Is About the Doors You Open for Others
We asked Delia Osegueda to reflect on her journey, the experiences that have shaped her and what success means to her today. Here’s what she shared with us.
Tell us about yourself and your professional journey. What experiences have shaped the leader you are today?
I was born and raised in El Salvador and immigrated to Canada and eventually the U.S. in my 20s. My career has taken me across Latin America, the Caribbean and North America. I’ve spent more than 20 years in the travel and hospitality industry, and much of my career has been focused on building partnerships, developing markets, creating distribution strategies and bringing people and businesses together.
I spent 12 years with Royalton Hotels & Resorts, where I had the opportunity to grow alongside the company and eventually lead its Partnerships team. Today, as VP of Global Partnerships at AIC Hotel Group, I work across markets and cultures, leading relationships with tour operators, wholesalers and strategic partners.
But the experiences that have shaped me most aren’t necessarily the titles. They are the moments when I had to build something from the ground up, lead through change, develop people and earn someone’s trust.
I’ve learned that leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about bringing the right people together, listening, creating clarity and giving people the confidence and opportunity to succeed.
You’ve spent much of your career building partnerships across countries and cultures. What have you learned about the power of relationships?
I’ve learned that business is ultimately about people. You can have the best strategy, the best product or the best numbers, but if you don’t have trust and genuine relationships, it’s very difficult to create something sustainable.
I also believe relationships should never be transactional. The strongest partnerships I’ve built are the ones where both sides are thinking, How can we help each other succeed?
That philosophy has shaped the way I lead my teams as well. I try to create an environment where people feel valued, where their ideas matter and where collaboration is more important than hierarchy.
You also serve on the Board of Directors of Programa Velasco. What drew you to the organization, and why is its work important to you?
Programa Velasco is an organization focused on creating opportunities for women entrepreneurs and children in El Salvador. Coming from El Salvador myself, the mission immediately felt personal.
I know the incredible talent, resilience and entrepreneurial spirit that exists there. I also know that sometimes the biggest obstacle isn’t ability. It’s access to resources, networks, mentorship or someone willing to open a door.
Women are incredibly resourceful and entrepreneurial, but often they are doing so with fewer resources, less access to capital and smaller professional networks. When you give a woman the tools and support to grow a business, you’re not just impacting her. You are impacting her family and often an entire community.
One of the things that has stayed with me through Programa Velasco is seeing the energy and determination of the women we support. You’re reminded that people aren’t looking for someone to do everything for them. They are looking for a chance.
Who were the people who opened doors for you throughout your career, and how has that shaped the way you support other women?
I’ve been very fortunate to have had leaders throughout my career who believed in me, challenged me, advocated for me and sometimes saw potential in me before I saw it in myself.
They taught me that leadership isn’t about competition. There is room for all of us at the table.
That has influenced the way I lead my own teams. I try to be intentional about developing women, giving them visibility, introducing them to people they need to know and encouraging them to take on opportunities that may feel bigger than what they’re ready for.
Someone once had to give me that opportunity. I think it’s our responsibility to do the same for the women coming behind us.
You live and work in Chicago while maintaining a strong connection to El Salvador. How do you see Chicago’s Latino community creating stronger connections with Latin America?
I think Chicago’s Latino community has enormous potential because we have something very powerful: connections to two worlds.
We understand the culture, the language, the challenges and the opportunities in Latin America, but we also understand the business environment and resources available in the United States.
Chicago is home to an incredibly accomplished Latino professional and entrepreneurial community. There are executives, entrepreneurs, investors, creatives, educators and community leaders who have relationships and knowledge that could have a meaningful impact beyond Chicago.
I believe we should think beyond simply being successful within our community and start thinking about how we can use that success to connect our community with opportunities internationally.
There is an opportunity to create a stronger bridge between Chicago and Latin America through tourism, investment, entrepreneurship, education and trade.
When you think about your own definition of success, has it changed throughout your career?
Absolutely. Earlier in my career, success was much more about achievement — building my career, reaching the next level, taking on bigger responsibilities and proving what I was capable of.
Today, I still value those things, but my definition of success has evolved.
Success for me is now about impact.
It’s about the people I’ve developed, the relationships I’ve built, the opportunities I’ve helped create and the doors I’ve been able to open for someone else.
My message to Chicago’s Latino community would be: don’t underestimate the power of your network, your story and your influence.
You don’t have to write a check to make a difference. Sometimes the most valuable thing you can give someone is an introduction. Sometimes it’s mentorship. Sometimes it’s recommending someone for an opportunity or simply saying, “I believe in you.”
We have an incredibly powerful Latino community in Chicago. If we connect our networks, share our knowledge and intentionally create opportunities for one another, we can create an impact that goes far beyond any individual career.
The greatest measure of success isn’t how many doors you walk through. It’s how many doors you help open for others.
Learn more about Programa Velasco
Delia also serves on the Board of Directors of Programa Velasco, which supports women entrepreneurs and children in El Salvador. The organization will hold its upcoming event on September 29. Learn more and get tickets.
