Team Members

Larissa Davila is an expert in business development, and a business strategist with a focus in multicultural community engagement. She has a passion for helping small business owners use their talents for the benefit of the community while developing their own profitable and sustainable businesses.

In 2014, Davila launched BCO Consulting Group, offering services to micro, small and mid-sized business owners, government agencies and nonprofit organizations around strategic planning, budgeting, pricing strategy, process improvements, market research, marketing services, and bilingual community outreach. Larissa started her company after over a decade of corporate experience with companies such as Bentoli, FedEx and Sony Corporation. Her experience includes community, project, and process management, international logistics, customer support, and business in general. Simultaneously, Davila has served as the Executive Director of Latino Arts, Culture & Education Organization (LACE) and Amhiga Hispana in Austin, Texas.

A graduate from Texas A&M International University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with concentration in Management and currently working in her master’s degree of Business Administration at McCombs School of Business in the University of Austin, Larissa seeks continuous development in the field, and is always committed to serve her community.

Joni Foster is an experienced consultant, a skilled trainer, a former manager of a local loan fund for the revitalization of inner-city communities, and a serial entrepreneur, having launched her own businesses and numerous nonprofit organizations with net assets today in the millions.

Joni’s strengths include budgeting and forecasting, business, and strategic planning, setting up systems, financing, project management, launching new ventures and writing. She is passionate about nutritious food production, small, sustainable agriculture, arts and crafts businesses, and industrial arts. Joni is also very experienced in real estate development and finance, having supported the development of over 1,000 units of affordable housing and commercial facilities in her career.

With over 25 years in the field of community economic development, Joni has worked for two national support organizations, Local Initiatives Support Corporation and Rural Community Assistance Corporation, providing consulting, financing and resources to grassroots organizations.

Joni is also on the board of El Porvenir, a nonprofit that works in Nicaragua on water, wastewater and reforestation issues. Joni worked in Nicaragua for El Porvenir in the 1990’s and joined the board in 2007. Early in Joni’s career she was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Sierra Leone, West Africa. Joni is bilingual, English/Spanish.

Monica Peña is a well-known figure in the Greater Austin area as an organizer of business networking groups for Hispanics and the broader community and as a trainer & skilled user of social media. Monica brings her skills to EGBI and our clients as a strategist on business marketing and promotion, social media, web site development, project & time management, and follow-through. She has a strong passion for helping small businesses succeed.

As co-founder of a family-owned business and social media manager, the company won The Austin American Statesman Social Media Awards for providing readers great tips on everything from past projects, renovations, community outreach, and ways to be more environmentally friendly.

She still runs MUNDU Media, a company that helps clients with their online presence and marketing efforts. In addition, clients are coached on how to make the most of networking opportunities, how to use their membership benefits, and how to initiate long lasting connections to generate more capital.

Monica has a proven method to help small business owners and professionals stand out in their local community through a combination of offline and online efforts. She is founder and organizer of the North Austin Influencers, a group that meets to exchange ideas, learn through educational workshops, and use their expertise in different fields to enhance leadership skills.

She has been recognized by Economic Growth Business Incubator and the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber as Volunteer of the Year for her community service. She was honored by Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas as Estrella de Tejas for her significant contributions to the community and for being a role model to fellow members.

David Fuentes is a proven community advocate with a passion for driving meaningful change. As a graduate of St. Edward’s University with a B.A. in Global Studies, David’s journey is defined by his commitment to empowering underserved communities. As a full-time student, David served as the IT and Administrative intern at an Austin-area charter school for over three years. He advocated for greater Latine inclusion through internships with the Texas House Democratic Campaign Committee and EGBI, while actively volunteering for Jolt Action and Grassroots Leadership. Additionally, David brings over three years of customer service experience, embodying the spirit of service and technical savviness needed to ensure our clients receive the support they need to successfully launch or expand their businesses.

David’s personal journey as the first person in his family to attend and graduate from a university has shaped his passion for inclusion and social mobility. He proudly represents Tri-Alpha, a fraternity for first-generation college students, and his heritage as the son of Salvadoran and Mexican business owners fuels his commitment to opening doors to economic opportunity through entrepreneurship.

Beyond his professional endeavors, David’s love for his hometown of Houston, Texas, and its rich culinary tapestry, coupled with his passion for music, and his flair for whipping up Latin American dishes all undercase his appreciation for culture and community. During his downtime, you’ll often find him hiking, strumming his guitar, or enthusiastically following NBA games.