Examining the Relationship among Gender, Generation, Language and Acculturation Levels on Latino Leaders in the U.S.
Karina Gil, Ph.D., MSW

Introduction
The exponential growth of the Latino population in the United States has triggered dramatic changes at all levels of society. Latinos are the largest minority group in the United States at 55.4 million representing 17.4% of the total population (U.S. Census, 2015). They are also a very diverse group with 63% being Mexican Americans, 9.2% being Puerto Rican, 3.5% being Cuban, 2.8% being Dominican, 7.9% being Central American, 5.5% being South American, and 6.8% being all other Hispanics (U.S. Census Report, 2011). Although there is a long way to go for Latinos to be fully represented in leadership positions, a few have been able to reach the upper echelons. According to a study conducted by the Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility (2009), Hispanics represent 6% of 384 open board positions. Another study conducted by U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) (2010), found that Hispanics comprise 3.28% of board members and 2.90% on executive teams, which is about one-fifth of the 15% they represent in the U.S. population. When it comes to Latino leaders in politics, out of the estimated 511, 000 elected officials in the U.S. (Lewis, 2012), 2,500 are Latino officials in various levels of the political arena at the local and national level (Andrade, 2008, p. 1). There is a plethora of scholarly research on the impact of acculturation on Latinos. However, limited research has been done on those Latinos who achieve leadership levels and acculturation.

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