Victoria Kammerzell Chavez
Victoria Chavez is the co-founder and CEO of Chavez Family Industries, LLC, an umbrella business for creative ventures she runs alongside her husband. While her husband focuses on abstract art, murals, and hand-painted footwear, Victoria leverages her expertise in business strategy and consulting to guide the company’s growth. She is also an accomplished author, currently completing her first memoir, which chronicles her life experiences from childhood through adulthood, offering insights on overcoming challenges and embracing resilience.
With over two decades of experience in business development and leadership, Victoria has developed a reputation for helping organizations balance technology with the human element in operations. She specializes in business consulting, coaching, organizational efficiency, and human-centered business strategies. Her recent work includes advising companies that have become overly technology-driven, helping them reconnect with clients and employees by fostering trust, empathy, and authentic engagement.
Victoria is deeply committed to community building and leadership development. She is an alumna of the Latina Success Leadership Program through the Center for Creative Leadership and a graduate of the Maximizing Your Leadership Potential program. She actively serves on committees with MANA de San Diego and the National City Chamber of Commerce, supporting initiatives that elevate small businesses and create inclusive community opportunities. Bilingual in English and Spanish, Victoria’s professional philosophy centers on servant leadership, emotional intelligence, and creating environments where people and businesses can thrive.
• Maximizing Your Leadership Potential - Center for Creative Leadership
• Latina Success Leadership Program - Center for Creative Leadership with Mana de San Diego
• University of San Diego – Bachelor of Business Administration, Marketing
• Influential Women 2026
• MANA de San Diego
• Center for Creative Leadership
• San Diego Hispanic Chamber
• National Latina Business Woman Association
• USD Latino Alumni Board
• MANA de North County
• National City Chamber of Commerce
• Membership Committee, MANA de San Diego
• Brindis Gala Committee Member, MANA de San Diego
• Gala Planning Committee Member, National City Chamber of Commerce
• Past Co-chair Marketing Committee, MANA de San Diego
• Ambassador, San Diego Hispanic Chamber
• St. Jude’s Shrine Queen – Social Services
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to maintaining a balance between creativity and strategic thinking. Leading a business while fostering human connections allows me to combine innovation with practicality, and my focus on restoring the personal touch in operations has opened doors I could never have anticipated.
As well as interpersonal skills that I’ve refined throughout my professional career has attributed to my success. Putting my heart and soul into everything I do has positioned me as a community builder/connector. Being genuine, authentic, and approachable has opened so many doors for me too.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Be proud of who you are, find your passion and what makes you happy. Stay true to yourself. Do not trade your power or your values for anything. You will be challenged in your career and those pivotal moments will define the trajectory of your career. Take your time to decide when challenged with those moments. Do not rush. You are in control of your life!
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Be kind and respectful to others, be open to learning new things, be proud of your work. Take risks that you never would before. Do not be afraid to use your voice. Be as loud or as quiet as you’d like. Observe and take notes but ask questions and be curious. Never stop being a student.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The over-reliance on technology has led some organizations to remove the human element from customer and client interactions. While this presents challenges such as loss of trust and care, it also creates opportunities to reintroduce human-centered practices that strengthen relationships and operational efficiency.
Also there are too many silos in community. We need to come together and unite when posed with threats that affect our community. Together we are more powerful!
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Prioritizing the human aspect of business is fundamental for me. I believe in showing care, re-establishing personal connection, and ensuring processes reflect both people and technology.
As well as treating each-other with the utmost respect. Always be kind even if that person doesn’t deserve it. Lead with love, empathy, and understanding. I’m a servant leader who prioritizes emotional intelligence, psychological safety, and executive presence. You need to be resilient but empathetic to everyone. You need psychological safety for employees to feel safe to speak up. You need to know when to listen and when to speak.
The values that are most important to me is mutual respect and love. Love for family, love for community and self-love.
Locations
Chavez Family Industries, LLC
415 Laurel St. #217, San Diego, CA 92101