Gladys is a Chilean-born entrepreneur and Founder & CEO of Gladys’ Cleaning Service, a New Jersey-based residential and commercial cleaning company with over 20 years of experience. Since immigrating to the United States in 2001, she has grown the company from a small operation into a trusted business serving commercial, corporate, and construction clients across New Jersey. As a first-generation immigrant and young mother, Gladys built her business through determination, resilience, and a strong commitment to excellence. Her hands-on leadership style and focus on customer service have played a key role in the company’s continued growth and reputation for reliability. In addition to leading her company, Gladys is a public speaker and Board Member of the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey, where she advocates for small businesses and first-generation entrepreneurs. Fluent in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, she continues to lead with purpose while creating opportunities for others and building a lasting legacy for her family and community.

Kennedy serves as Chief Operating Officer of Gladys’ Cleaning Service, a family-operated company providing residential, commercial, and post-construction cleaning services with a strong commitment to quality and operational excellence. Originally from Brazil, Kennedy is a certified Electromechanical Technician with more than 20 years of experience in industrial and heavy-duty machinery, including forklifts, high-pressure systems, stone-cutting equipment, and industrial air compressors. Before relocating to the United States in 2015, he spent 12 years working with global food manufacturing companies, where he developed strong technical and leadership expertise. ​ After marrying Gladys Vonglahn in 2017, he joined the company’s leadership team and played a key role in expanding its services to include handyman solutions and professional power washing. As COO, Kennedy oversees field operations and manages complex commercial and government projects, including work at Newark Liberty International Airport and union labor environments. His technical background, operational leadership, and commitment to excellence continue to drive the company’s performance and growth.

Lucas Bernui is an experienced Estimator at Gladys’ Cleaning Service, where he plays a critical role in the company’s growth and competitive positioning. Born in Chile and raised in the United States from an early age, Lucas brings a unique blend of Latino heritage and American business perspective to his work. He is fully bilingual in English and Spanish, enabling him to communicate effectively with diverse teams and clients. Lucas has a proven track record in preparing and managing complex bids for both commercial and government cleaning contracts. His expertise includes detailed labor analysis, cost estimation, pricing strategy, and competitive market assessment, ensuring that all proposals are accurate, strategic, and aligned with client expectations. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from Muhlenberg College, where he developed strong analytical and financial modeling skills. Lucas leverages this foundation to support data-driven decision-making and deliver highly competitive and compliant project proposals.

Cecilia Vera is a business administration professional originally from Guayaquil, Ecuador. She earned her degree in Business Administration in 2018, with a specialization in Finance, building a strong foundation in financial management, operations, and organizational leadership. She began her career in Ecuador’s shrimp export industry, where she gained experience in customer service, accounting, and human resources. This early exposure to international trade and business operations helped her develop strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and a deep understanding of administrative processes. In 2018, she relocated to the United States and began working as an Assistant Manager for various supermarket franchises. In this role, she oversaw customer service operations, sales reporting, staff scheduling, and accounting functions, contributing to operational efficiency and strong team coordination. Since 2022, Cecilia has served as Office Manager at Gladys’ Cleaning Service, where she oversees administrative operations, financial coordination, client communication, and internal process management. She is bilingual in English and Spanish, and her diverse background and operational expertise make her a key contributor to the company’s continued growth and efficiency.

Jacob Bernui is a business and technology–focused student from Union, New Jersey with a strong interest in business operations, information systems, and entrepreneurship. He began his undergraduate studies at Boston University and is continuing his academic journey at Rutgers University, where he plans to further develop his understanding of business strategy, technology, and data-driven decision making. Jacob has gained valuable operational and leadership experience through his work as a supervisor at Gladys’ Cleaning Service. In this role, he managed cleaning teams, coordinated daily service routes, and handled administrative responsibilities such as client scheduling, payments, and communication through the Jobber management system. These responsibilities helped him develop strong organizational, leadership, and problem-solving skills. He has also worked in customer-facing roles, including at 16 Handles, where he managed cash transactions, assisted customers, and handled opening and closing responsibilities in a fast-paced retail environment. In addition, Jacob applied his bilingual abilities through translation work with Sava Group LLC, translating Spanish-language responses for the New York State Regents exams. Jacob graduated from Gill St. Bernard’s School with a 4.0 GPA and was inducted into the French National Honor Society. He is bilingual in English and Spanish and has technical experience with Python programming. His academic and professional experiences have shaped his interest in combining business knowledge with technology to improve operations and solve real-world problems.