Nuestra Luz: Illuminating Latino Talent in Marketing

Melqui Rodriguez is a seasoned AV professional with expertise in all aspects of video production. Over the years, he has collaborated with numerous local agencies and directly worked with the University of Notre Dame on many projects and events. Some of his clients have included St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Martin’s, the Studebaker Museum, and many more. He owns an AV business and has provided mentorship and opportunities to other upcoming professionals in the market.

Gudelia Paula Sours, commonly known as Paula Sours, is a successful entrepreneur, community leader, and advocate for supplier diversity. She is the owner and founder of Visions GPS Branding LLC, a certified women-owned business based in South Bend, Indiana. Her company specializes in branding, promotional products, and marketing solutions, leveraging over 25 years of experience to help clients elevate their brands. Paula began her career in promotional sales and customer service roles, working for over two decades in the industry before founding Visions GPS Branding LLC in 2013. Her company focuses on creating impactful branding experiences by providing tailored solutions for forms, marketing materials, and promotional items. Paula emphasizes collaboration with local vendors to meet her clients’ needs effectively.

In addition to running her business, Paula has held several leadership roles: President, Latin American Chamber of Commerce of St. Joseph County (since 2016), where she advocates for minority-owned businesses; President, Northern Indiana Minority Business Association (NIMBA) where she advocates for Small, Veteran, Women and minority-owned businesses; SPARK Facilitator, mentoring women entrepreneurs through Saint Mary’s College; Former President of Roseland Rotary; Active involvement in organizations such as AMA (American Marketing Association), MWIC (Minority Women in Construction), and Women Build.

Paula’s dedication to empowering others and promoting diversity has earned her numerous accolades. In 2023, she received the Cassondra Wilson Ignite Award at Indiana’s 15th Annual Division of Supplier Diversity Business Conference. This award recognized her commitment to educating and mentoring others as a certified Minority/Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE).

Eduardo Alvarez has seven years of consecutive experience post-undergrad in marketing, sales, and customer service in the automotive accessories space, having served most recently as Product Manager. He has a degree majoring in marketing, advertising, and international business from IU South Bend Leighton School of Business and Economics.

This May, he will graduate from the Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame with an MBA. His degree program includes a Digital Marketing and Marketing Analytics concentration and a Brand Management and Supply Chain Operations minor. Eduardo has also served as president of AMA Michiana.

Jose Lopez is a dynamic marketing professional with a unique blend of technical expertise and business acumen. This coming May he will be graduating with an MBA from the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business, where he specialized in Business Analytics and minored in Marketing Management. Jose brings a data-driven approach to brand growth, customer engagement, and performance optimization.

His marketing career spans roles across consulting, CRM implementation, and product management, with a strong foundation in Salesforce solutions. He has helped organizations optimize their marketing operations, unlock customer insights, and scale their digital presence through innovative tools and storytelling. His work has contributed to measurable outcomes in lead conversion, customer retention, and cross-functional team alignment.

Beyond corporate experience, Jose is also known for his leadership in the Latin American community, serving as a bridge between cultural values and modern marketing practices. He has led strategic communications for nonprofit initiatives, organized community-based brand activations, and championed inclusive marketing campaigns that celebrate identity and authenticity.

Jose’s ability to translate complex data into compelling narratives makes him a trusted voice at the intersection of marketing, technology, and impact.