We are proud to be a woman and BIPOC led organization exemplifying rich leadership diversity.

This intersectional diversity reflects our commitment to ensuring equitable representation and opportunities for historically marginalized groups. Many of our leaders are proud first-generation Latinx individuals whose families' journeys to the United States are rooted in resilience, determination, and a pursuit of the American dream. Our families' stories mirror the experiences of countless food and beverage entrepreneurs making our leadership deeply relatable to the communities we serve.

Leadership

Jaqueline (Jackson) Flores

Executive Director

Jackson is first-generation Guatemalan-American who grew up in Chicago's Albany Park neighborhood. Jackson is a graduate of Chicago Public Schools, and attended Northeastern Illinois University.

She is an award-winning content creator and restaurant operations consultant with over a decade of experience in international, multi-concept dining, and quick service operations. Jackson specializes in developing operational foundations and processes for high volume concepts; built to launch, scale, and sustain profitability from concept to completion. Previous experience includes: Starbucks, B&B Hospitality, Michelin-Rated concepts Quiote and Todos Santos, the University Club of Chicago, and Maxwells Trading.

Brian Soto

Director of Finance

Brian is first-generation Mexican-American who grew up in Chicago's Ukrainian Village neighborhood and is a graduate of Chicago Public Schools. He acquired his Master's in Accountancy Science at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana along with his Certified Public Accountant license. He began his career at Deloitte, one of the top accounting firms in the world, where he gained valuable insight into corporate accounting and tax strategies.

After his time in the corporate world, Brian set out to seek a more fulfilling role in his community. He now operates a CPA firm in Chicago providing accounting, tax, and specialized CPA services. His clients consist of small- to medium-sized businesses including restaurants, food manufacturers and nonprofits. Brian and his team have helped aspiring and seasoned entrepreneurs alike reduce tax exposure, increase profits, and raise funding while staying federally and state compliant. Brian specializes in startup consulting for entrepreneurs with a focus on scaling via bootstrapping, unit-cost economics, and tax strategies.

Hector Pardo

Director of Strategy & Operations

Hector is first-generation Mexican-American who grew up in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood. A graduate of Chicago Public Schools and the first member of his family to go to college. He attended City Colleges of Chicago and Northeastern Illinois University where he majored in Business Administration. He has always felt a deep sense of commitment to his community and a desire to give back. He grew up working in his father's furniture business which helped instill a strong entrepreneurial spirit.

Prior to DRK he spent 9+ years at Groupon where he worked in various risk management and legal roles, managing projects aimed at improving the tools and resources available to local businesses on the platform. He led efforts to launch the first Latinx employee resource group aimed at recruiting Latinx employees, advocating for Latinx-owned businesses, and providing culturally relevant offerings to Latinx consumer base. He also co-chaired the company's employee volunteer program, spearheading the company's community initiatives and partnering with local nonprofits throughout the city on programming.

Board of Directors

Veronica Aguilar

Board Chair

Veronica Aguilar is an entrepreneur, venture capital professional, and growth strategist with experience scaling startups and connecting founders with the resources they need to grow. A University of Pennsylvania alumna, she has led innovation initiatives across both public and private sectors, helping organizations execute large-scale strategic priorities.

Veronica brings expertise in entrepreneurship, organizational growth, fundraising strategy, and ecosystem development, helping guide DRK's long-term vision and strategic partnerships.

Juan F. Soto

Director

Juan F. Soto is Executive Director of Pilsen Neighbors Community Council, Executive Director of Gamaliel of Metro Chicago and Gamaliel of Illinois, and Director of the Civil Rights for Immigrants Department for the Gamaliel Network. A nationally recognized community organizer and trainer, Juan has dedicated his career to advancing neighborhood development, civic engagement, and immigrant rights.

He also oversees Fiesta del Sol, the nation's largest free Latino cultural festival, which attracts more than one million attendees annually and serves as an economic engine for small businesses and entrepreneurs. Juan provides DRK with deep expertise in community development, coalition building, public policy, and neighborhood-based economic revitalization.

Josue Lopez

Director

Josue Lopez is Managing Director and Chief Mortgage Strategist at Piper Sandler, where he leads strategy and capital allocation across the firm's securitized products platform. With more than a decade of experience in structured finance, capital markets, and fixed-income investing, Josue advises institutional clients on investment strategy, capital raising, and complex financial structures.

Prior to Piper Sandler, he served as Vice President at BMO Capital Markets and has extensive experience in mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities, commercial mortgage-backed securities, and socially responsible investing. Josue brings institutional financial expertise, risk management, and capital markets insight to DRK, strengthening the organization's financial stewardship and long-term sustainability.

Board Leadership

Together, DRK's Board combines expertise in entrepreneurship, finance, community organizing, venture capital, and economic development. The Board provides strategic direction, financial oversight, governance, and fundraising support while helping ensure DRK remains responsive to the evolving needs of Chicago's entrepreneurs and neighborhoods. Their collective experience across nonprofit leadership, corporate finance, public-private partnerships, and community development strengthens DRK's ability to advance equitable economic opportunity throughout Chicago.

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Meet the team, one on one.

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