Dr. Nelson Soler – Ph.D./MBA/MS/EDFP/Enrolled Agent/Quickbooks Pro Advisor
President and CEO
Nelson Soler is an innovative entrepreneur, educator, and community advocate who has founded three for-profit and three nonprofit organizations. Through his leadership, educational initiatives, and advocacy efforts, Soler has facilitated the formation and growth of more than 6,200 enterprises throughout the Greater Milwaukee region.
Soler currently serves as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, where he teaches entrepreneurship, nonprofit management, and related disciplines. Over the course of his career, thousands of individuals have benefited from his expertise in entrepreneurship, accounting, nonprofit management, and marketing, particularly within multicultural and underserved communities.
His accomplishments and impact have received widespread recognition from both national and local media. In 2007, Soler was honored with the United States Small Business Administration Award for the State of Wisconsin. In 2009, he was named Chamber Executive of the Year for Region 4 (Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio, Minnesota, Michigan, and Wisconsin) by the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
Soler’s continued commitment to advancing Latino leadership and economic development has earned him additional distinctions, including being named UMOS Hispanic Man of the Year in 2011, receiving an Individual Inner-City Award from the Greater Milwaukee Committee, and being recognized as Entrepreneur of the Year by the Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee in 2012.
Soler brings diverse professional experience spanning banking, international business, mining equipment manufacturing, academia, real estate, nonprofit management, grant writing, fund development, government, and the electric utility industry. Throughout his career, he has led multidisciplinary teams across business development, global sales and documentation, ERP system upgrades, supplier diversity initiatives, corporate communications, commercial and community lending, public policy development, and human capital advancement.
His educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the State University of New York at Buffalo, both earned in 2001. He holds a Master of Business Administration (1993) and a Master’s degree in International Business and Marketing (1999) from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, as well as a Ph.D. in Leadership for the Advancement of Learning and Service from Cardinal Stritch University. Soler is also a graduate of Marquette University’s Future Milwaukee Community Leadership Program (2003) and completed an Associate Program in Commercial Real Estate (2008).
In addition to his academic credentials, Soler holds multiple professional certifications and licenses, including a Wisconsin Real Estate Broker’s License, Next Level Entrepreneurial Instructor Certification, Economic Development Financial Professional (EDFP) designation, Enrolled Agent designation from the U.S. Department of the Treasury, and QuickBooks ProAdvisor Certification.
Soler’s doctoral dissertation, Individual and Contextual Factors Affecting Latino and Hispanic Entrepreneurial Success in Wisconsin, was published in 2023 and is available through ProQuest.
His community leadership includes serving as Chair of the Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission, President and CEO of the Latino Chamber of Commerce of Southeastern Wisconsin, and Executive Founding Director of the Latino Entrepreneurial Network of Southeastern Wisconsin. He is also the Founder of the LEN LULAC Chapter and serves as an Advisory Council Member for Wisconsin Bank & Trust. Additionally, Soler is an active member of the Hmong Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce, the African American Chamber of Commerce, and the Greater Milwaukee Association of Realtors.
Latest mention of Nelson Soler and the Institute on Milwaukee’s Shepherd Express
Letters of Recommendation from Soler’s Professors at Cardinal Stritch University
Alfredo Diaz, ASFP, Computer Technology Certificate
Taxation Manager
Alfredo manages taxation services for individuals and self-employed clients, bringing a strong foundation in tax compliance, payroll, and bookkeeping. Throughout his tenure, he has served in multiple roles, including tax intake specialist, payroll coordinator, and bookkeeper, developing a well-rounded understanding of client financial operations.
In addition to his professional responsibilities, Alfredo has volunteered with several nonprofit organizations, including the Latino Chamber of Commerce of Southeastern Wisconsin and the Latino Entrepreneurial Network, where he supported event coordination and fulfilled treasurer-related functions.
Mr. Diaz earned a degree in Computer and Business from CTEC. He also served as a rural elementary school teacher for one year before moving to the United States. Alfredo currently holds the ASFP tax credential and a Payroll Certification, reflecting his commitment to professional excellence and ethical financial services.
Isell Mancipe, Bachelor in International Business Marketing, marketing online and communications
Marketing Coordinator
Isell specializes in digital marketing, brand strategy, and business planning, always with a personal and practical approach. She enjoys working side by side with business owners to turn ideas into action, increase visibility, and build strong connections with their audience. With firsthand experience, she understands the challenges and rewards of building something from the ground up. Isell graduated from Universidad del Norte in Colombia with a degree in International Business and has pursued a career in marketing from the very beginning.
Cesar Garcia
Accounting and Client Services Coordinator
Cesar is a high-achieving emerging professional who completed the four-month Entrepreneurial Training Program at the Multicultural Entrepreneurial Institute while graduating from high school with honors. He will pursue a degree in Accounting and Management of Information Systems at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, combining financial acumen with systems and technology expertise.
Before joining MEI, Cesar served as Marketing and Client Services Coordinator for the Latino Entrepreneurial Network, gaining hands-on experience in event coordination, client engagement, and digital marketing strategy in support of small businesses and entrepreneurs.
Nathanael Navarrete
Accounting and Client Service Coordinator
Nathanael is an Accounting student at Marquette University and an emerging professional in accounting and payroll services. He brings a strong foundation in customer satisfaction and client support, complemented by hands-on experience gained through applied learning and workforce development programs. Nathanael participated in the Entrepreneurial Leadership Pipeline at Multicultural Entrepreneurial Institute and completed an entrepreneurial apprenticeship with Teens Grow Greens.