WGN’s Ana Belaval headlined an electrifying Hispanic Heritage Month celebration at Armanino on Thursday night, where career wisdom met cultural expression — including stunning Spanish dance — to create an unforgettable evening.

The Chamber-led event began with a free-flowing conversation between Belaval and Jesse Hallock of Arabona Coaching and Training, who kicked off the chat by asking Belaval about her origin story and how she arrived in Chicago from San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Over the next hour, Belaval provided an engaging, funny, and thoughtful look back at her career, which has taken her to TV stations in San Juan, New York, and now to Chicago, where she’s been with WGN for almost 20 years. Belaval also discussed being a mother of two, her stand-up comedy shows, and her efforts to start her own brand.

The audience was rapt from the beginning, as the charismatic Belaval told Hallock that her her career dates back to the age of 14, when she visited a newsroom in her hometown of San Juan, Puerto Rico.

“It was like there was electricity flying — I loved it,” she said. “I thought, ‘something’s happening here.’ People are yelling at each other, and it feels urgent, and it feels like they’re telling really good stories.”

The four-time Emmy-winner recounted several stories about her work, covering everything from taking an accent-reduction class in New York to reporting on the Pope’s visit to interviewing Bill Clinton, which she used as an audition tape for WGN (“total flex, right?” she said).

Despite her success, however, Belaval said she’s had to overcome stigmas and stereotypes in a business that isn’t exactly known for its enlightenment.

“I’ve been pigeonholed — I still am,” she said. “I am often overlooked because I’m funny and I’m joyful and what I cover is fun. And people usually assume that that’s all I can do. So when I go into a podcast, or when I have my own interviews on my social media platform, everyone’s like, ‘You’re so smart, so well spoken.’ So that has been my biggest problem.”

Toward the end of the talk, Belaval offered some advice for people looking to take the next steps in their career.

“Educate yourself. Do the work. Take the challenges and be prepared,” she said. “Because  you don’t know where that opportunity’s going to come. Read voraciously about everything, so you’re educated about everything from TikTok trends to what’s happening in the Middle East. All you have to do is find that one person who gives you that chance, and you want to be ready when it comes.”

As if that engaging discussion wasn’t enough, attendees were then treated to stunning a show of Spanish dances by Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater.

As the night ended, the buzz of conversation reflected the event’s impact. Belaval graciously stayed to chat and take selfies with attendees, further demonstrating her approachability. Her riveting description of her journey from San Juan to Chicago, coupled with the captivating Spanish dances, celebrated achievement, embraced culture, and truly captured the essence of Hispanic Heritage Month.

Check out more photos from the event.