San Francisco marketer shines light on Latino conservation innovators

Posted by Elena del Valle on September 2, 2011

Latinnovating book cover

Photos: Gracefully Global Group

Graciela Tiscareno-Sato, owner, Gracefully Global Group believes some Latinos strive to create social and industrial innovation to reuse, preserve and conserve resources. The San Francisco resident, formerly a member of the U.S. Air Force, authored Latinnovating Green American Jobs and the Latinos Creating Them (Gracefully Global Group, $25), a 211-page softcover book showcasing ten examples of Latino led innovation and entrepreneurship that in her opinion have escaped the attention of national media.

The idea behind the book is sustainability “as a foundation for 21 century survival and growth,” she explains in the Introduction. The book was born of the frustration Tiscareno-Sato felt at the opportunities she believes were missed by the media of identifying the efforts of everyday Latinos contributing to the green movement.

The book is divided into one section each for a Latino innovator in addition to Introduction and Final Thoughts chapters: Carmen Rad, Eco-friendly printing leader; Rodrigo Prudencio, Venture capitalist; Rosamaria Caballero-Stafford, Eco-consultant; Luis Rojas, Accountant turned solar developer; Sandra Artalejo, Fashion designer and queen of creative reuse; Dennis Salazar, Packaging industry thought leader; Humberto Rincon, Mechanical Engineer reducing consumption; Monica DeZulueta, Engineer reducing carbon footprints; Robert Zardeneta, Social justice leader transforming communities; and Frank Ramirez, Entrepreneur solving energy storage problems.

Graciela Tiscareno-Sato, author, Latinnovating

The chapters are the result of an initial questionnaire followed by individual interviews and research about each case study. It is her belief that Latinos follow an old cultural mandate to conserve and preserve natural resources.

Tiscareno-Sato was recognized by Latina Style Magazine as the San Francisco Bay Area Entrepreneur of the Year in May 2010. In November 2010, she was selected Entrepreneur of the Year at the Anna Maria Arias Memorial Business Fund Gala in Washington D.C.