The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Silicon Valley is once again mired in internal drama, with a membership revolt last fall toppling its board and igniting a fresh war over money and transparency. Former directors say they were pushed out for asking too many questions about the finances, while the new leadership insists a reset is exactly what the fading organization needs. The clash is putting a spotlight on how a once-prominent local business group is being run behind the scenes.
Membership vote resets leadership
At a membership meeting on Sept. 10, 2025, chamber members voted 24-2 to remove the sitting board and elect nine new directors. Mayra Pérez was later chosen as board chair and president, and seven new directors were sworn in at a special ceremony on Oct. 17, 2025. The shake-up follows a steep decline in membership and programming in recent years, and the chamber’s website has since gone offline. Those details were reported by San José Spotlight.
Former leaders demand transparency
The ousted directors, including Manny Diaz, Margie Sanchez, Joel Velasquez, James Duran, Maria Elena Casillas and Nancy Islas, say their removal was no coincidence. They argue they were shown the door after repeatedly asking for access to the chamber’s financial records. “It seems to me that there’s a cover up going on,” Manny Diaz said, accusing the chamber’s longtime executive director of stonewalling requests for information. Other critics, including business leader Mimi Hernandez, told San José Spotlight that only a public audit will rebuild trust with local businesses.
Money and oversight questions
At the center of the storm is the chamber’s tight fiscal relationship with the Enterprise Foundation. Public tax filings show the foundation reported roughly $2.8 million in revenue for the 2021 fiscal year and listed Dennis King as an executive paid $97,060 that year. Those figures come from public tax records compiled by ProPublica.
King’s longtime presence in the network
Dennis King, who first joined the Hispanic chamber in 1998, remains the organization’s executive director and is deeply woven into local business circles. He is also listed in the San José Chamber of Commerce directory, according to the San Jose Chamber, a web of connections that critics say makes clear and detailed accounting even more essential.
Legal and transparency questions
Local critics argue that a full, public audit would clarify how grant dollars and membership dues have been handled and help ensure that the chamber is fully compliant with state rules for charities and fundraising. California’s AB 488 tightened platform and registration requirements for nonprofits, and the Attorney General’s Registry notes that organizations with revoked or delinquent registrations face hurdles to reinstatement. Legal advisers have warned that compliance failures can limit access to major fundraising platforms. GHJ and the California Attorney General's Registry outline the requirements and the path to getting back in good standing.
What comes next
The internal power struggle now has Latino business owners watching to see whether the new board agrees to an independent audit or releases detailed financial records that could quiet the uproar. If the revamped leadership can show clear accountability and revive the chamber’s services, some members believe the group can still be a force for Latino-owned small businesses. If not, the deepening rift could send local leaders into the arms of new, competing organizations. For now, it all comes down to whether the books are opened and whether an outside auditor is called in.
