LULAC and Mendoza Consulting
Marlén Mendoza is the founder and CEO of Mendoza Consulting, a Community Development organization on a mission to grow and nurture healthy communities across the nation through family-centered policies that strengthen human connection and economic development strategies to create harmony. She has worked with philanthropy, national nonprofits, state and local governments, and the private business sector. Marlen received her BA in International Studies in Global Health from the University of Iowa.
As a self-starter entrepreneur, Mendoza works on various economic development projects in her local community of Iowa City. She co-founded Emprendimiento Latino 5M, whose mission is to support Latino entrepreneurs in Eastern Iowa with the resources and education to start, grow and sustain their businesses. Mendoza is also a co-founder of the Diversity Market and incorporated South of 6, a business district in south Iowa City. In addition, she is an active member of her local League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) council in Iowa City and is the State Deputy Director of LULAC Iowa. She serves on the executive board of Global Ties Iowa and is a proud global diplomat who loves bringing international visitors to the heartland.