About Us

Our Vision:

We envision a thriving economy where diverse small business ownership is a pathway to prosperity, particularly for historically underserved communities.

Our Mission:

To foster self-sufficiency through self-employment and to promote the growth of micro and small businesses in Santa Clara County.

We:

Our work is grounded in strong partnerships, most notably with the County of Santa Clara, whose ongoing support strengthens every aspect of our programming.

Board Members

Richard De La Rosa

Dennis King

Bruce Knopf

Charles Chappie Jones Jr.

Mireya Espinoza

Sam Ho

Staff

Connie Madrigal

Dennis King

Jennifer Buitrago-Gallo

Samuel Hernández Stanford

Richard De La Rosa

Is a lifelong San Jose resident, entrepreneur, and community leader. He has owned several businesses, including Forest Consulting, an Allstate Insurance agency, and De La Rosa Latin American Imports. Rich has served as president or board member for multiple organizations, including the Enterprise Foundation, San Jose Police Foundation, San Jose Chamber of Commerce, and the San Jose Tamale Festival, which he founded. Known for his deep civic commitment, Rich enjoys traveling and has a longtime passion for breeding and raising tropical fish. He proudly raised his five children in San Jose.

Dennis King

Is the Executive Director of Enterprise Foundation, where he has served for over 25 years. He also leads the Enterprise Foundation, overseeing programs that have secured over $140 million in funding for local small businesses and distributed more than $12 million in grants. A former business owner in construction and publishing, Dennis is active on several boards, including the San Jose Chamber of Commerce and the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce. He studied at San Jose State University and Foothill College, where he served as student body president at both.

Bruce Knopf

Is a retired economic development leader with over 40 years of experience working with nonprofits, small business owners, and public officials across California. He served six years on the Enterprise Foundation Board, bringing deep expertise from roles including Director of Asset and Economic Development for Santa Clara County and Vice President of Catullus Development Group. As founder of BJMK Advisors, Bruce has long advocated for equity in economic opportunity—particularly for service-sector entrepreneurs and immigrant-owned businesses. He holds degrees from UC Berkeley and UNC Chapel Hill, and currently lives in New York City with his wife.

Charles Chappie Jones Jr.

Brings over 35 years of public and private sector experience in public policy, strategy, and leadership. He served two terms on the San José City Council, including as Vice Mayor, where he championed small businesses, digital equity, and underserved communities. Chappie also led regional bodies such as VTA and the Cities Association of Santa Clara County. Prior to public service, he held senior roles at Apple and AT&T. He holds degrees from UC Davis and UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business. Chappie lives in West San José with his wife Kelli; they have two grown children.

Mireya Espinoza

Is Treasurer of the Enterprise Foundation and owner of a bookkeeping and tax preparation firm. An Enrolled Agent with over 30 years of experience, she manages more than 200 clients and specializes in tax resolution. Mireya began her career as a bookkeeper and now focuses on empowering others through financial education. She teaches aspiring accountants and guides small business owners to take control of their finances. A proud San José State University alumna, she holds a degree in Business Administration – International Business and is deeply committed to her community and family.

Sam Ho

Serves as Director of Communications, Community Relations, and Diversity at the San Jose-Evergreen Community College District and as a board member of the Enterprise Foundation. He is also Vice President of the San Jose District 9 Leadership Group and the Thousand Oaks Neighborhood Association, and a board member of Human Agenda. Sam has hosted the Sam Ho Weekly Live Radio Talk Show since 2020 and currently leads the Community Strength podcast featuring local leaders. He has served on multiple church and community boards and is deeply committed to education, social justice, and community service.

Connie Madrigal

Is the heart and heartbeat of our operations, serving as Operations Manager and Intake Manager at the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Enterprise Foundation. For every new entrepreneur who walks through our doors, Connie is often the first smile they see and a trusted guide on their business journey. Bilingual in English and Spanish, she brings over two decades of financial expertise, building strong connections with sponsors, partners, and clients alike. Connie’s dedication, charisma, and energy make her a true champion of small businesses and a cornerstone of our work.

Jennifer Buitrago-Gallo

Brings over 20 years of experience in the mortgage industry and small business development. She has helped thousands—particularly in the Hispanic community—achieve homeownership through expert guidance on loan programs and creative financing. Jennifer has also supported local entrepreneurs by expanding access to business resources through her work with the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Enterprise Foundation. In 2022, she contributed to the Santa Clara County Small Business Grant Program and San Jose’s Rent Relief Program. She holds a degree in Liberal Arts from San Jose City College.

Samuel Hernández Stanford

Is Programs Manager at the Enterprise Foundation, where he leads initiatives that expand access to capital, technical assistance, and contracting opportunities for underserved entrepreneurs. With a background in economics and innovation, he brings deep cross-sector experience in business advising, public affairs, and program design. Previously, he served as Consul for Economic Affairs, supporting Mexican-origin entrepreneurs across Northern California. Samuel is passionate about inclusive economic development and building strong ecosystems that support small business success.