President

Jazline Gomez serves as the President of the Dayton Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and is the proud owner of Pepe’s Mexican Flavors. A first-generation Mexican American, Jazline was born in Chicago, IL, and spent part of her childhood in Mexico before settling in Dayton, OH. Growing up in an entrepreneurial family, she gained early exposure to accounting, finance, and business administration by working alongside her father in the family’s La Michoacana Mexican Market franchise. Her skills and dedication led her to become a Communications Liaison for the Dayton regional area, playing a critical role in the family business.

In 2018, at just 20 years old, Jazline took a bold step and founded her own restaurant, Pepe’s Mexican Flavors, in Huber Heights, OH. Combining her business acumen with her passion for authentic Mexican cuisine, her restaurant quickly became a community favorite, known for its vibrant flavors and cultural authenticity.

Jazline’s academic achievements are equally impressive. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Wright State University, where she developed a deep interest in neuropsychology and counseling. While working as a neurofeedback technician and intake specialist for CBT-I therapy, she continued her educational journey. Currently, Jazline is pursuing a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at WSU, demonstrating her commitment to personal growth and helping others.

Inspired by her parents’ unwavering dedication and hard work, Jazline has become a pillar in Dayton’s Hispanic community. She passionately advocates for resources in education, health care, and career development, striving to empower individuals and families. Her leadership extends beyond the Chamber, as she serves on the boards of several nonprofit organizations, working to connect community leaders and foster meaningful collaborations. Jazline’s vision, compassion, and drive continue to inspire and uplift the Hispanic community in Dayton and beyond.

Executive Director

Christina Méndez is the Executive Director of the Dayton Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the visionary founder of Irene-Marie Co., a full-service marketing agency dedicated to empowering nonprofits and B2B businesses with strategic branding solutions. Since its launch in 2018, Irene-Marie Co. has evolved from providing business consulting to specializing in tailored marketing strategies for nonprofit organizations and B2B enterprises. Christina’s expertise has helped countless organizations and businesses increase brand loyalty, drive revenue, and create lasting impact.

In addition to leading her agency, Christina is a Certified Life Coach, Business and Entrepreneurship Coach, and a credentialed Women’s Entrepreneurship professional through Cornell University. She is also a sought-after Fractional CMO, leveraging her skills to help businesses and organizations achieve authentic, results-driven marketing goals.

A proud first-generation Puerto Rican, Christina comes from a strong entrepreneurial background inspired by her father. From a young age, she was immersed in the world of media, marketing, advertising, and journalism, gaining firsthand experience that shaped her passion for storytelling and strategic thinking. This foundation has been instrumental in her career and fuels her drive to help others succeed.

As Executive Director of the Dayton Hispanic Chamber, Christina combines her professional expertise with her cultural pride to advocate for Hispanic entrepreneurs, connect leaders, and foster economic growth within the community.

Christina’s work is a testament to her belief in the power of marketing to not only transform businesses but also uplift communities and inspire meaningful change.

Treasurer

Sam earned his Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from Wright State University, magna cum laude, in 1992 and his Masters in Taxation from Capital University Law School in 1996, summa cum laude. Sam has over 28 years of public accounting experience, including thirteen years withErnst & Young, a Big Four Firm. In 2013, Sam formed his own firm with a focus on serving high-net worth families in the Miami Valley. He was born and raised in this area, and is well versed in the dynamic and vibrant heritage of our Ohio region.

Sam’s experience includes serving as Chief Financial Officer for high, net-worth families. In his role as family CFO, Sam has assisted with the sale of closely-held business for $120 million, inheriting and gifting assets, and retiring from active management of a closely-held company.

Sam coordinates family advisors including attorneys, insurance brokers, CPA firms, and private and public charities. Sam proactively manages cash flow planning for families to avoid last-minute tax surprises and proactively seeks to minimize income and estate tax obligations. Sam’s experience includes advising clients about the use of specialized tax planning techniques, including split-interest charitable trusts, spousal lead access trusts, private foundations, qualified personal residence trusts, and other specialized techniques for managing family wealth in a tax efficient manner.

He is a member of the Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants (OSCPA) and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). Sam earned his Personal Financial Specialist designation from the AICPA and is a member of the Personal Financial Planning section of the AICPA. A CPA/PFS is more than a financial planner—he is a CPA with the powerful combination of extensive tax expertise and comprehensive knowledge of financial planning.

Sam served as President on the board of the Epilepsy Foundation of Western Ohio. Sam served as President of the Dayton Chapter of the Society of Financial Services Professionals. Sam currently serves as Treasurer of the Dayton Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Sam speaks to professional service and industry groups about tax related issues, including the Estate Planning, Trust and Probate section of the Dayton Bar Association.

Sam is also a proud father of twenty-three-year-old triplets, who were born on April 21st ,graciously allowing Sam to fulfill his April 15th responsibilities!