Convocation with Amalia Moreno-Damgaard

1 October 2021

Amalia Moreno-Damgaard is a champion and advocate for women. A native of Guatemala, she is a chef entrepreneur  and award-winning author.  As a self-described triple minority immigrant living in Minnesota, she faced challenges stemming from gender, ethnicity, and cultural misunderstanding both socially and in work.  She earned a master’s degree in international business, had a successful career as an international banking executive, graduated from the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu, and started her own business.  Through Amalia Latin Gourmet, a nationally-certified woman-owned business enterprise, she helps organizations of all sizes develop a broader understanding and appreciation for Latin cultural nuances using traditional, healthy cuisine as a platform for keynote speaking, representing brands, consulting, and teaching.  She also co-founded Women Entrepreneurs of Minnesota—a group that fosters women entrepreneurship through leadership education and mentoring.  In sharing her career journey, Moreno-Damgaard weaves four pillars of personal success:  Know Yourself, Empower Yourself, Connect Yourself, and Involve Yourself.   She highlights a series of learning curves, challenges, and successes that have contributed to a lifelong of rich experiences that inspired her to making the transition to entrepreneurship.  The title of her presentation is “Multicultural Insights from a Self-Proclaimed Triple Minority.”  This Hispanic Heritage Month Convocation is sponsored by the Office of Intercultural Life.