Tuesday 12/16/2025
Part (1)
Mariya Palanjian's interview with Roberto Arnold
Roberto Arnold is a distinguished Army veteran and entrepreneur with a profound commitment to community empowerment and social justice. Serving as an Army Ranger from 2004 to 2020, he honed leadership skills and a dedication to duty that have shaped his post-military career. After his service, Arnold founded the Multicultural Business Alliance, where as chairman he tirelessly advocates for minority-, women-, veteran- and LGBTQ+-owned small businesses. His work focuses on creating an inclusive and equitable business environment, driving growth and opportunities for underrepresented entrepreneurs. He also co-founded the West Covina Chamber, a collaborative platform that strengthens the local business community and promotes economic development. Arnold’s leadership within the chamber has been pivotal in fostering a thriving business ecosystem in the region. Recognized as a passionate advocate for diversity and economic equality, his efforts have significantly impacted the lives of underrepresented business owners, promoting a sense of belonging and empowerment.
Diana Ordaz Cherrington is the President of the Multicultural Business Alliance (MBA), where she leads the organization’s mission to foster business development, advocacy, and sustainable economic opportunities for minority, women, veteran, and LGBTQ+ business owners across California. Promoted to President in March 2025, Diana brings a wealth of entrepreneurial experience and a deep commitment to empowering underserved communities through strategic business development and advocacy initiatives.
As a distinguished healthcare entrepreneur, Diana founded Alpha Prime Health Solutions in 2016 and serves as the owner of APHIS, a Medicare agency. Her expertise spans business development, healthcare innovation, and community advocacy, positioning her as a trusted voice in both the healthcare and small business sectors. Diana’s leadership extends beyond MBA through her work spearheading the EmpowerHER program, an initiative dedicated to advancing women business owners through education, networking, and access to resources.
Diana’s impact has been recognized through numerous prestigious awards, including the California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Affiliate Member of the Year in 2022, BizFed LA County Contributing Alliance in 2023, and the LA Business Journal DE&I Non-profit Award in 2023. She maintains active memberships with influential organizations including BizFed LA, the US Chamber of Commerce, the US Veterans Chamber of Commerce, and the California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
A graduate of Cornell’s Women’s Entrepreneurship program (2024), Diana combines academic excellence with real-world experience to drive meaningful change in the business community. Under her leadership, MBA has achieved remarkable growth with a 100% member retention rate and has supported more than 1,000 businesses in accessing critical grants, funding, and government contracts. Her strategic advocacy work has positioned MBA as a leading voice for multicultural business interests throughout Southern California, championing policy initiatives that remove barriers and create pathways to capital, resources, and opportunities for underserved entrepreneurs.
Diana’s commitment to creating equitable opportunities for all entrepreneurs reflects her belief that diverse businesses are the backbone of thriving communities. Through her work at MBA and her various entrepreneurial ventures, she continues to break barriers, build bridges, and create pathways to success for business owners who have historically faced systemic challenges in accessing capital, resources, and opportunities.
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