Maria Fernandez is Vice President and Head of Ethics and Compliance North America, Direct Energy. Direct Energy is the North American brand under Centrica, a U.K. company. Maria supports the North America business and ensures that its lines of business, Home and Business, are operating in accordance with the standards developed by Centrica, its customers and the regulators and Centrica's commitment to best practice across the regulatory landscape within North America and the global enterprise.

Growing up in the Argentine district of Kansas City, Kansas, my family experienced the American Dream firsthand. My parents taught me the value of hard work and sacrifice and the importance of giving back, and these same values were evident everywhere in my community, in our contributions, and in our resilience. I was taught by their example, and it inspires and motivates me today to lead this great American institution, which creates opportunities and helps break down barriers for Latinos in this country.

Maria-Leticia Ossa Daza is a partner in the Corporate & Financial Services Department, focusing on general corporate and securities matters. She heads the firm’s Latin American Practice.

A National Science Foundation Fellow from 1981 to 1984, Joyce has over 35 years of experience working in program development and social services delivery. As a consultant and grant writer, her expertise in HIV prevention and harm reduction has made her a local and national leader in the field of AIDS and drugs.