Most Influential Business Women 2023: Gabriela Ramirez-Arellano helps entrepreneurs achieve their dreams

Gabriela Ramirez-Arellano has spent her career helping entrepreneurs and small business owners achieve their dreams.

As vice president of entrepreneurship at Cortex, Ramirez-Arellano is focused on helping entrepreneurs develop the skills and knowledge needed to start and run a business in the IT, bioscience, consumer manufactured products and food industries. These training programs have played a role in the success of companies such as Rezilient, Pure Vibes and V15able.

Prior to joining Cortex, Ramirez-Arellano, who is originally from Guanajuanto, Mexico, served as the business counselor at the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, helping business owners start and grow their businesses, access funding and apply for minority certification. Ramirez-Arellano also is co-host of the Auténtico podcast, which showcases Latinx professionals and small-business owners.

With her work for the BALSA Foundation, which aims to make entrepreneurship accessible to all, she aspires to promote social equity and prosperity. In addition to these efforts, Ramirez-Arellano also serves with Girls on the Run, Habitat for Neighborhood Business, KIVA, STLJuntos, STL Venture Works and is on the BJC Children’s Hospital advisory board.