Marcela Gómez, a seasoned leader with over 30 years of experience, is the co-founder and CEO of Culture Shift Team (CST). She has adeptly navigated the complexities of diverse and ever-evolving U.S. demographics, leading CST's inclusive marketing and advertising initiatives. Marcela's deep expertise encompasses working across sectors including transportation, education, government, finance, healthcare, and the arts. She excels in developing comprehensive marketing strategies, from conceptualization and branding to execution, catering to a diverse client base that includes corporate entities, public utilities, consumer goods companies, universities, and non-profits.
Before launching CST, Marcela founded and led the Hispanic Marketing Group, a pioneering bilingual and bicultural advertising agency based in Nashville, TN, established in 2002. She holds a bachelor's degree in advertising from Universidad Jorge Tadeo Lozano in Bogotá, Colombia.
Marcela is a prominent figure in community and professional leadership, currently serving as the President of the National Speakers Association New York City Chapter. Her leadership journey includes roles such as past president and board chair of the Tennessee Latin American Chamber of Commerce and founder of the Entrepreneur Latina Leaders of America (ELLA) program. Her community service extends to contributions with organizations such as the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, the YWCA, FUTURO, and Conexión Américas.
Living in New York City since December 2020, Marcela remains a vital source of inspiration and expertise, continually driving forward the mission of inclusive marketing and community engagement. Discover more about Marcela's journey and insights on her personal blog.
Her son, Esteban Pedraza, a talented independent award-winning filmmaker based in New York City since 2009, continues to make his mark in the film industry. His latest work, "Bogotá Story," garnered acclaim at the 2023 Venice International Film Festival and won the prestigious 2024 Palm Springs Shortfest, securing an Oscar Qualifying award.
ACCOLADES
2018 Certificate of Recognition, Presented by Mayor David Briley, Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County.
2018 Resolution for a Decade of Service to the Tennessee Latin American Chamber of Commerce, Presented by the Council of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County.
2017 Community Leadership Award, presented by the Nashville Kitchen Cabinet (The National Restaurant Association and The Tennessee Hospitality & Tourism Association.)
2017 International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Music City Gold Pen Award of Excellence for Community Relations; nMotion Campaign of the Metropolitan Nashville Transit Authority. (Team member with MP&F Public Relations, MEPR Agency, and The Ferrell McDaniel Company)
2017 PRSA Nashville Parthenon Award for Multicultural Outreach; nMotion Campaign of the Metropolitan Nashville Transit Authority. (Team member with MP&F Public Relations, MEPR Agency, and The Ferrell McDaniel Company)
Marcela was awarded the 2016 International Champion Award from the Office of International Affairs, Tennessee State University.
Audience Favorite award, Dancing for Safe Haven Fundraising Gala, 2016.
2015 National Football League's Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award presented by the Tennessee Titans.
2014 PRSA Nashville Parthenon Awards forCommunity Relations; NashvilleNext Campaign of the Metropolitan Nashville Planning Department. (Team member with MP&F Public Relations, MEPR Agency, and The Ferrell McDaniel Company)
2014 PRSA Nashville Parthenon Award for Posters, Displays or Exhibits; NashvilleNext Campaign of the Metropolitan Nashville Planning Department. (Team member with MP&F Public Relations, MEPR Agency, and The Ferrell McDaniel Company)
2014 PRSA Nashville Parthenon Award Public Relations Campaign; NashvilleNext Campaign of the Metropolitan Nashville Planning Department. (Team member with MP&F Public Relations, MEPR Agency, and The Ferrell McDaniel Company)
2014 PRSA Nashville Parthenon Award Research; NashvilleNext Campaign of the Metropolitan Nashville Planning Department. (Team member with MP&F Public Relations, MEPR Agency, and The Ferrell McDaniel Company)
2011 Tennessee Advocate Award for Assisting Entrepreneurs in Marketing, Counseling and Financing by the Small Business Administration District Office in Tennessee.
In 2011, Ms. Gómez was one of the 25 Most Beautiful People in Nashville by the Nashville Lifestyle Magazine.
Vendor of the Year, MP&F Public Relations, (2009).
The Nashville Post identified Hispanic Marketing Group as one of “25 Emerging Companies in Nashville” and the Nashville Business Journal three years in a row named the firm as a finalist in the emerging business category for its “Best in Business Awards.”
In 2007, Ms. Gómez won as one of the 30 Women of Influence by The Nashville Business Journal.