Team Members
Larissa Davila
Executive Director
Email: larissa@egbi.org
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. She has been the Executive Director of the Economic Growth Business Incubator since March of 2023.
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 Texas, Larissa seeks continuous development in the field, and is always committed to serve her community.
Monica Peña
Director of Community Relations
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.
José (Josely) Lopez [Jose-lee]
Program Director
Email: josely@egbi.org
José, “Josely” Lopez holds a dual degree in marketing and management; and a master’s degree in international business from Concordia University in Irvine, California. He has extensive experience as a small business generalist, with focus in bookkeeping, financial management, marketing, business networks, and general small business development. Josely previously served as a Business Developer for a nonprofit in Puerto Rico, where he guided the creation of nearly 200 small businesses during his tenure. He then served as General Manager of an international school in Tokyo, Japan, receiving an invitation to relocate to Hangzhou, China with a position of Marketing Instructor in a small business school.
Josely brings to the table more than ten years of experience in small business development and management. In EGBI, as the Program Director, he oversees the organization’s programs and initiatives. Thanks to his experience, Lopez is a skilled public speaker who engages and communicates effectively with diverse audiences in conferences and workshop.
David Fuentes
Community & Development Coordinator
Email: david@egbi.org
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.
Monica Perras
Business Coach and Veteran Services Coordinator
Email:perras@egbi.org
Monica Perras is a proud Army Veteran with over 15 Years of experience in Client Success, Operations,Program Management as well as Small Business ownership focused on delighting the customer with success planning, and reaching their goals. She is adept at identifying barriers to personal or business growth and is passionate about developing the right formula to deliver the best customer experience and retention. Her expertise in strategic planning, team building, and problem-solving has helped her to excel in her career.
A natural leader, Monica is passionate about coaching and empowering others to reach their full potential. She believes her life purpose is helping others be their very best and highest selves by serving and supporting non-profit organizations and volunteerism. Monica holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration (BBA), a Master’s degree in Psychology of Culture, and an Executive Masters of Business Administration(eMBA) in Leadership. Additionally, she has a number of certifications such as certified group facilitator and collegiate instructorship that further supports her expertise and passions.
For fun, you can catch her at the gym (a lot), volunteering, jazz concerts, learning new skills, reading self-help books, and connecting with friends.
Paul Aguilar
Business Coach
Email:paul@egbi.org
Héctor Muñiz
Business Coach
Email:hector@egbi.org
Hector graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a bachelor’s degree in Economics and a minor in business. His most recent previous experience includes working as a financial advisor at UBS Financial Services, where he focused on sales and enhancing client experiences. Additionally, Hector has notable experience as an ESL (English as a Second Language) instructor, where he taught older students computer and networking basics in a bilingual setting. Through his various roles, Hector discovered a genuine passion for financial guidance, sales, and tutoring.
“No matter the task at hand, I strive to prioritize people’s needs and exceed their expectations.” Outside of work, Hector dedicates his time to studying, reading, drawing, and maintaining an active lifestyle by hitting the gym. His favorite sports include soccer and boxing.
Wendy Murphy (López González)
Digital Specialist
Email: wendy@egbi.org
She studied at Universidad del Valle de México, Mexico City, receiving her degree in Graphic Design. Wendy has been an art enthusiast since she was a child.
She has worked for tech startups, advertising agencies, and established tech firms over her career, historically specializing in audiovisual design and digital marketing.
Career highlights include working at Digital Dreams advertising agency in Mexico City, where she designed and created audiovisual advertising for the web, television, and radio. She wrote and produced TV and internet commercials for many major brands such as Continental Tire and Adidas. At Clowdertank, a digital marketing agency, she worked with B2B clients transitioning their physical business to the web, creating branding makeovers and advertising campaigns.
In 2021 Wendy launched Web Digital Empire, based in Austin, Texas. Through web design and brand renovation. She joined EGBI, where she uses her unique blend of design and marketing skills to help entrepreneurs and businesses stand out.
Outside the digital world, Wendy is a spirited traveler, wine, and food lover. In her free time, you can find her enjoying activities like yoga, painting, and swimming.
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