GAZELLE MAGAZINE JUNE/JULY 2016 | Page 88

Karlos Ramirez Executive Director Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan St. Louis S ince 2011, Karlos Ramirez has been the executive director of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan St. Louis. There he is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the Hispanic Chamber’s operations, including donor cultivation, member relations, event management and solidifying partnerships with outside organizations. Under his leadership, the Hispanic Chamber has grown its membership by 79 percent and increased corporate sponsorships by 523 percent. Karlos was previously the director of University Center and Conference Services at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas. As a community activist, Karlos is the board chair on the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership Board, and serves on the Deaconess Foundation’s board of trustees, St. Louis Sports Commission, United Way of Greater St. Louis board, Minority Business Growth Accelerator Advisory Committee, Contractor Loan Fund Executive Committee, St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission Multicultural Committee, and with the Washington University Student Entrepreneurial Program. Karlos earned a master’s degree in educational administration from Illinois State University, and a bachelor’s degree in education from Northern Illinois University. He grew up in the Chicago area and now lives in St. Louis with his wife, Alejandra, and two children, Christian and Karina. Karlos enjoys spending time with his family, golfing and attending various sporting events. 86 GAZELLE STL