DR. LAURA G. MURILLO, HHCC President and CEO
Dr. Laura G. Murillo was named President and Chief Executive Officer of the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (HHCC) effective March 1, 2007. In less than three years in the role of President & CEO and with the support of HHCC’s Board of Directors, membership and revenues have increased over 400% and 100%, respectively. Moreover, events have reached record-breaking attendance. The HHCC has also become one of the largest chambers in the country. In 2009, the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce received the prestigious National Hispanic Chamber of the Year Award from the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. According to the Houston Business Journal 2010 Book of Lists, the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has soared from #25 in 2006 to #4 in the current ranking of the largest Chambers of Commerce in the Houston area. Dr. Murillo serves as Host and Producer for HHCC’s groundbreaking television show, CONTACTO, which appears on CBS Channel 11.
Prior to her role as President & CEO she was Senior Executive Director at Memorial Hermann, Texas Medical Center, where she was responsible for administrative and operational areas. The Memorial Hermann Healthcare System is the largest non-profit healthcare system in Texas, servicing over 5 million people.
Dr. Laura Murillo was also employed at the University of Houston (UH) for 14 years. During her last three years at the University of Houston, Dr. Murillo worked full-time as a Major Gifts Officer; maintained an “A” average as a full-time doctoral student; was named Education Advocate of the Year by the Houston Chronicle and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; accepted the Senior Executive Director position with the Memorial Hermann Foundation, and gave birth to a second child.
She began her career at the University of Houston in student services and was promoted to the position of Director for the Urban Experience Program sponsored by the Office of the President and the Center for Mexican American Studies, at age 23, which earned her the honor of being the youngest person to hold the Director’s position in the history of university. Dr. Murillo served as host and producer of “Adelante” a bilingual television program.
Selected Awards
This dynamic professional has been honored with many achievements during her career. Texas Hispanic Magazine named Laura among “Houston’s Most Influential Hispanic Women.” The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America, Inc., chose her as one of the recipients of the ABC Channel 13 Women of Distinction. Texas Executive Women and the Houston Chronicle honored Laura as a “Woman on the Move.” Dr. Murillo was recently awarded the Diversity First Award by the Texas Diversity Council, Telemundo’s Excellence in Education Award and the Minority Achiever Award by the YMCA in 2010. She is a member of UH Kappa Delta Chi Sorority. She was also recognized as Outstanding Volunteer by the Houston Police Department. Dr. Murillo was the recipient of the 1st Annual National Hispanic Professional Organization’s Leadership Award for her outstanding contributions as a Hispanic professional. Laura was named one of the Top 25 Women in Houston; Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s Senior Executive of the Year Award and the UH College of Education’s Outstanding Alumni of the Year.
Dr. Murillo served on the Women’s Leadership Forum hosted by the United States Department of Labor Women’s Bureau, a federal Agency established by Congress to promote policy and to develop programs which benefit women in the workforce. In October 2009 Dr. Murillo appeared on a chosen panel during an advanced and exclusive screening of CNN’s Latino in America. In 2010 she is a participant in the American Leadership Forum Class XXVII. She was selected as a member in the Greater Houston Partnership’s 2005 Center for Houston’s Future. She is a graduate of the United Way’s Project Blueprint. She currently serves on the Greater Houston Partnership’s for Immigration Committee. She participated in the Asian American Studies Doctoral Fellowship held at the University of Beijing In China. She is the youngest person elected to serve as President of Hispanic Women in Leadership and became the youngest person to be inducted into the Hispanic Hall of Fame for her community and educational service. Dr. Murillo has been featured on Julie Stav’s nationally syndicated radio program. Other honors include the Outstanding Young Professional Award from the Houston Jaycees, the Good Citizen Award.
Leardership Roles
Laura has extensive experience serving on numerous Boards and community organizations including: Mayor Annise Parker’s Hispanic Advisory Board; Harris County Sheriff's Office 287(g) Advisory Committee; Mayor Bill White’s Hurricane Ike Recovery Fund Advisory Board; Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce–2005 and 2006 Gala Auction Chair; University of Houston’s Graduate School of Social Work–Dean’s Advisory Council Member; Association for the Advancement of Mexican Americans (AAMA)–Board Member; Mexican Women’s Initiative–Vice President and Advisory Board Member; Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce–Board Member; Latina P.A.C.–Founding Officer; National Hispanic Professional Organization–Advisory Board Member; UH’s College of Education’s Alumni Association; Annunciation Orthodox School Gala–2004 Advertising Chair; Phi Beta Delta Honor Society for International Scholars; UH’s Mexican American Alumni Association; Texas Executive Women; Leadership 2000; Greater Houston Hispanic Coalition; L.U.L.A.C.; Houston Hispanic Forum; Kappa Delta Chi; Girls Inc.; Girls Scouts; Hispanic Media Professionals; Austin High School Alumni Association; Association for Fund Raising Professionals; the Association for Healthcare Professionals; the Human Race Steering Committee; and Channel 45’s Advisory Board and others.
Dr. Murillo’s doctoral dissertation entitled, Factors Which Impact Hispanic Philanthropy, has served as the basis for articles she has published. She earned a Doctorate Degree in Education (Administration and Supervision), a Masters Degree in Education, and a Bachelors’ Degree in Journalism from the University of Houston.
Dr. Laura Murillo is the youngest of nine children born to immigrant parents, Jose and Tomasa Gonzalez. She was born and raised in Houston’s East End barrio. She and her husband of 17 years, Jose Luis Murillo, have two daughters, Marisa, age 11, and Mia, age 7.
