Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting
ALPFA is a United States nonprofit professional association that develops Latino leadership and career opportunities in finance, accounting, business, and related fields.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
The Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting, commonly known as ALPFA, is a United States nonprofit professional association established in 1972 in Los Angeles, California. It was created to address limited professional visibility, representation, and advancement opportunities for Latino and Hispanic professionals, initially concentrating on certified public accountants and the accounting profession. Its founder was Gilberto Vasquez, a certified public accountant, community leader, and entrepreneur. The organization originally operated as the Association of Hispanic Certified Public Accountants, or AHCPA. As its membership broadened beyond certified public accountants and accounting specialists, it adopted the ALPFA name in 2001. In 2009, ALPFA merged with the National Hispanic Business Association, expanding its reach among Hispanic business professionals. In 2010, the organization formally adopted the name Association of Latino Professionals For America to signal an intention to serve professionals across industries rather than only those working in finance and accounting. The ALPFA name and identity remain closely associated with its historic mission of Latino professional development. ALPFA's activities combine professional education, leadership development, recruiting, mentoring, networking, and recognition programs. Student members can participate through university chapters, regional student symposiums, career fairs, employer interactions, interviewing preparation, communication workshops, and scholarship opportunities. Professional chapters organize local training and networking events, while the national organization provides larger convenings and connections with corporate partners. The organization also offers access to mentors and career resources intended to help members progress from university into early-career, managerial, and executive roles. Its principal national gathering is the ALPFA Convention, which brings students, professionals, employers, speakers, and organizational leaders together for workshops, keynote sessions, recruiting, awards, social events, and networking. Regional Student Symposiums are designed to connect students with recruiters and provide practical preparation for internships and full-time employment. ALPFA has also hosted the HBS Latino Banquet, a gathering for Latino business professionals and students at different career stages. In 2011, ALPFA launched ALPFA Solutions, an advisory-services initiative. In 2016, it articulated the purpose 'Connecting Latino Leaders for Impact,' reflecting a broader leadership and community orientation. The organization partnered with Fortune and Columbia University in 2017 on an event recognizing powerful Latina leaders in corporate America, and it has continued work associated with the Most Powerful Latinas recognition program. In 2018, Damian Rivera was appointed chief executive officer. The organization is described in reference material as having a nationwide network of professional and student members, professional chapters, and student chapters. Its reach is built through local chapters, corporate relationships, annual events, scholarships, and leadership recognition rather than through the sale of consumer products. ALPFA therefore functions primarily as a membership, networking, education, and professional-development organization. Its present relevance lies in connecting Latino leaders and aspiring professionals with employers, mentors, peers, and development opportunities across business and related fields.
History
ALPFA was founded in Los Angeles, California, in 1972 by Gilberto Vasquez, a certified public accountant, entrepreneur, and community leader. It was established as the Association of Hispanic Certified Public Accountants, commonly abbreviated AHCPA. The founding mission responded to the limited visibility and restricted advancement opportunities experienced by Latino and Hispanic professionals in the accounting and broader business environment. As the first national Latino professional association in the United States, the organization provided a formal network for professionals who had previously lacked comparable national representation. Over time, the association's membership and programming expanded beyond certified public accountants. In 2001, it adopted the name Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting, or ALPFA, to reflect a wider base of Latino professionals entering and advancing through finance and accounting careers. The change preserved the organization's historic connection to accounting while making its membership proposition more inclusive. In November 2009, ALPFA merged with the National Hispanic Business Association. The merger further broadened the organization's business network and strengthened its ability to serve Hispanic professionals beyond a single technical discipline. In 2010, ALPFA formally changed its name to the Association of Latino Professionals For America, signaling an ambition to welcome professionals from all industries. Although the organization is still widely identified by the ALPFA name and retains its finance-and-accounting heritage, its activities have developed into a broader Latino leadership and professional-development platform. ALPFA's operating model is chapter-based and event-driven. University chapters provide students with educational programs, training, peer networks, and access to corporate partners. Professional chapters in major United States cities organize local networking and development opportunities. At the national level, ALPFA connects students and established professionals through conventions, regional symposiums, career fairs, scholarships, workshops, mentoring, and employer recruiting. These programs are intended to support the full career pipeline, from university preparation and internships to leadership and executive advancement. Regional Student Symposiums are organized across several regions and provide students with opportunities to meet recruiters, learn about internships and full-time roles, and practice communication and interviewing skills. The events generally conclude with career-fair activity involving corporate sponsors. The ALPFA Convention serves a wider audience and includes keynote speakers, professional workshops, recruiting opportunities, scholarships, chapter awards, and social networking events. The HBS Latino Banquet has brought together undergraduate students, graduate students, mid-career professionals, and senior executives. In 2011, ALPFA launched ALPFA Solutions, an advisory-services initiative that extended the organization's work beyond membership and events. In 2016, it introduced the purpose 'Connecting Latino Leaders for Impact,' emphasizing leadership, influence, and community outcomes. In 2017, ALPFA worked with Fortune magazine and Columbia University on an event recognizing the 50 Most Powerful Latinas in Corporate America. The associated recognition work continued as a way to highlight Latina executives, entrepreneurs, and corporate leaders. Damian Rivera was appointed chief executive officer in 2018. That year, ALPFA's convention in Las Vegas featured workshops, recruiting companies, scholarships, and chapter-of-the-year awards. Reference material describes ALPFA as having a large national membership network supported by student and professional chapters. The organization's history is therefore one of institutional expansion: from a professional association for Hispanic certified public accountants, to a finance and accounting network, and ultimately to a broad national platform connecting Latino professionals and leaders across industries.
- 2018
Damian Rivera appointed chief executive officer
[1]Damian Rivera was appointed CEO of ALPFA.
- 2018
Las Vegas convention
[1]The 2018 ALPFA Convention in Las Vegas included professional workshops, corporate recruiting, scholarships, and national and regional chapter awards.
- 2017
Most Powerful Latinas event launched
[1]ALPFA partnered with Fortune magazine and Columbia University to host an event recognizing powerful Latina leaders in corporate America.
- 2016
New organizational purpose introduced
[1]ALPFA introduced the purpose statement 'Connecting Latino Leaders for Impact.'
- 2011
ALPFA Solutions launched
[1]The organization launched ALPFA Solutions to provide advisory services.
- 2010
Organization broadens its name and scope
[1]ALPFA formally became the Association of Latino Professionals For America to welcome professionals from industries beyond finance and accounting.
- 2009
Merger with the National Hispanic Business Association
[1]ALPFA merged with the National Hispanic Business Association in November, broadening its professional network.
- 2001
Name changed to ALPFA
[1]The organization adopted the name Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting as its membership expanded beyond certified public accountants.
- 1972
Organization founded in Los Angeles
[1]Gilberto Vasquez founded the organization as the Association of Hispanic Certified Public Accountants, addressing limited representation and opportunities for Latino and Hispanic accounting professionals.
Products and positioning
A national Latino professional network focused on leadership development, career access, representation, mentoring, and employer connections across finance, accounting, business, and other professional industries.
Professional conference
ALPFA Convention
ALPFA's national convention is a large gathering for students, professionals, employers, and organizational leaders. It combines keynote sessions, workshops, networking, social programming, scholarships, chapter awards, and recruiting. The event is designed to support career development while giving corporate partners access to Latino students and professionals.
Student career-development program
Regional Student Symposiums
Regional Student Symposiums provide university students with professional-development workshops, recruiter access, interview preparation, and information about internships and full-time positions. The symposium structure includes regional programming and a career-fair component connecting students with corporate sponsors.
Membership network
Professional chapters
Professional chapters operate in major United States cities and provide local members with networking, training, mentoring, and professional-development activities. They extend ALPFA's national mission into local business communities and help members maintain relationships throughout their careers.
University membership network
Student chapters
University chapters give students a local structure for educational events, leadership practice, peer networking, employer engagement, and career preparation. Chapters also participate in regional and national programs and may compete for chapter-of-the-year recognition.
Education support
Scholarship program
ALPFA works with corporate partners to provide scholarship opportunities for college students. The program supports the organization's objective of improving educational access and creating a stronger pipeline of Latino professionals.
Leadership recognition · 2017
Most Powerful Latinas
The Most Powerful Latinas program recognizes Latina executives, entrepreneurs, and business leaders. Developed with external media and academic partners, it highlights leadership achievements and increases visibility for Latina professionals in corporate America and the broader business community.
Advisory services · 2011
ALPFA Solutions
ALPFA Solutions was introduced as an advisory-services initiative, extending ALPFA's capabilities beyond member events and career programming. Detailed service categories and current operating status are not specified in the available reference material.
Networking event
HBS Latino Banquet
The HBS Latino Banquet brings together Latino undergraduate and graduate students, mid-career professionals, senior executives, and other business professionals. It serves as a cross-career networking and community event within ALPFA's broader professional-development activities.
Marketing campaigns
- 2017Most Powerful Latinas in Corporate America
United States
ALPFA partnered with Fortune magazine and Columbia University on an event recognizing 50 powerful Latina leaders in corporate America, including executives, entrepreneurs, and leaders of major companies.
Outcome. The recognition program continued as an annual platform for highlighting Latina leadership.
Brand decisions
2016
Introduced the purpose 'Connecting Latino Leaders for Impact'StrategyBackground
ALPFA was operating as a broad leadership and professional network rather than solely as an accounting association.
Action taken
The organization unveiled a purpose centered on connecting Latino leaders for impact.
Aftermath
The purpose statement emphasized leadership, influence, and community outcomes across professional sectors.
2011
Launch of ALPFA SolutionsProduct launchBackground
ALPFA expanded its professional-services activities beyond membership programming and events.
Action taken
It launched ALPFA Solutions as an advisory-services initiative.
Aftermath
The initiative added an advisory dimension to ALPFA's professional-development and networking platform.
2010
Expanded the mission beyond finance and accountingStrategyBackground
Membership and organizational activities had developed beyond the original accounting-centered remit.
Action taken
The organization formally adopted the name Association of Latino Professionals For America.
Aftermath
The rebranding welcomed professionals from all industries and supported a broader leadership and career-development mission.
2009
Merger with the National Hispanic Business AssociationM&ABackground
ALPFA sought to expand its national network and reach among Hispanic business professionals.
Action taken
ALPFA merged with the National Hispanic Business Association in November 2009.
Aftermath
The merger expanded the organization's potential professional and business network.
2001
Broadened the organization through a name changeStrategyBackground
The original identity, Association of Hispanic Certified Public Accountants, no longer fully represented the broader professional membership joining the organization.
Action taken
The organization adopted the name Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting.
Aftermath
The new name positioned ALPFA as a broader finance and accounting professional association while retaining its Latino focus.
Recent events
- 2018
ALPFA appoints Damian Rivera as chief executive officer[1]
Leadership change
Damian Rivera was appointed to lead ALPFA as chief executive officer.
- 2018
ALPFA holds its 2018 national convention in Las Vegas[1]
Other
The convention combined workshops, recruiting, scholarships, keynote sessions, and chapter awards for students and professionals.
- 2011
ALPFA launches ALPFA Solutions[1]
Product launch
ALPFA introduced an advisory-services initiative as part of its expanded professional offering.
- 2010
ALPFA changes its name to Association of Latino Professionals For America[1]
Other
The organization formally broadened its identity beyond finance and accounting to welcome professionals from other industries.
Sources2 sources
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