A Leader's Journey: Empowering Latinos Through Business

Gale Castillo's journey began with a simple yet profound moment. Her son, a high school junior, was once asked by a friend, "What gang are you in? " This question came after a class discussion about his Mexican heritage. The friend, who had known him since kindergarten, should have known better. This incident, among others, fueled Castillo's determination to change the narrative around Latinos and empower the community's youth. In the early 1990s, she cofounded the Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber to achieve this goal. The chamber has grown to become the largest Hispanic chamber in the Northwest. Under Castillo's leadership, it has provided over $3. 3 million in scholarships to 1, 200 students and supported more than 5, 800 businesses. Castillo has worn many hats within the organization, serving as president, executive director, and board chair. Her influence extends beyond the chamber; she has also served as a trustee at Portland State University.Castillo is stepping down as board chair but will remain involved in an advisory role. She believes the organization is in good hands with the next generation of leaders. Nicole Davison León, the chamber's executive director, praised Castillo's legacy and her impact on Latino entrepreneurs in Oregon and southwest Washington. León also expressed gratitude for Castillo's continued support and guidance. Before her work with the chamber, Castillo had a diverse career. She worked as an assistant to late Gov. Neil Goldschmidt and at the Oregon Economic Development Department. In the private sector, she held management, marketing, and national sales positions at AT&T, Pacific Northwest Bell, and RESTOR Communications. Until earlier this year, she co-owned Canopy, a company providing employee assistance programs and staff development globally. Castillo was the first in her family to graduate from college. She earned a bachelor's degree from Linfield College and a master's in education from Portland State University. She also completed the Harvard Kennedy School’s Executive Education Program. Despite her achievements, she acknowledges that Latinos still face discrimination. However, she remains resilient and optimistic about the future.