Nina Vaca: The CEO Redefining Global Opportunity
Nina Vaca is a force to be reckoned with. As an award-winning entrepreneur, CEO, and philanthropist, she has built Pinnacle Group into the largest Hispanic-owned workforce solutions company in the U.S., serving over 20% of the Fortune 100 across 20 countries. Her impact extends beyond business—she is a trailblazer for diversity, women in leadership, and economic opportunity. With countless accolades, including recognition from Newsweek, Inc. Magazine, and the Minority Business Hall of Fame, Nina Vaca’s journey is a testament to resilience, vision, and the power of breaking barriers.
What inspired you to start Pinnacle Group in 1996, and how did you identify the need for a workforce solutions company?
Growing up in a family of entrepreneurs, I witnessed firsthand the transformative power of small businesses. After gaining experience in the IT industry, I recognized a significant need for flexible workforce solutions. IT companies were growing rapidly in the late 1990s and they needed agile, tailored services to find talent and solutions to help them navigate the rapidly evolving tech landscape. This realization, combined with my entrepreneurial spirit, led me to establish Pinnacle Group in 1996, aiming to connect talent with opportunity and drive innovation in workforce solutions. I could never have imagined that the company I started from my apartment living room floor at 25 years old would become a global enterprise with a footprint in 25+ countries and counting.
Pinnacle Group has been recognized 13 times on the Inc. 500/5000 list. What key strategies enabled such consistent growth over the years?
Pinnacle’s success always comes back to our people. Our consistent growth stems from a commitment to excellence in the services we provide, adaptability to changing market conditions, and the discipline to continuously reinvest in the business. We prioritize understanding our clients’ evolving needs and delivering customized solutions that exceed expectations. Investing in technology and fostering a culture of continuous improvement has allowed us to stay ahead in a competitive industry. Over the past 29 years, we’ve grown from a single IT staffing company into a diversified enterprise with six business units: payrolling and IC compliance, IT staffing, MSP, IT professional services, direct hire/RPO, and VMS professional services—including SOW management. All of this is possible because of our strong, diverse teams that drive innovation and create long-term success for our clients spread across the globe.
You’ve been recognized with numerous prestigious awards, including the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year and induction into the Minority Business Hall of Fame. What does this recognition mean to you, and how has it shaped your journey?
I truly believe if you can see it, you can be it. Growing up, seeing role models who looked like me was life changing and helped me set my sights higher. Being recognized publicly by these organizations demonstrates that in this country, business is for everyone. Each recognition has inspired me to find new ways to help the next generation: To connect more students with careers in STEM and business, to mentor aspiring entrepreneurs, to advocate for diversity in business, and to continue striving for excellence in everything we do at Pinnacle Group. One such honor was receiving the Global Atlas Award, which celebrates leaders who have made a lasting global impact through innovation, entrepreneurship, and a commitment to creating opportunity across borders. Each of these honors is not only about me as a leader but is also a testament to the dedication of the entire Pinnacle Group team.
Your work as a Presidential Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship took you to five continents. What impact did these experiences have on your perspective as a global leader?
One of the most unforgettable experiences was traveling on Air Force Two with Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker, visiting entrepreneurs firsthand in Ghana, Vietnam, Oman, Canada, Mexico, Bahrain, Ecuador, and the UAE. Engaging directly with business owners in these countries opened my eyes to the vibrant entrepreneurial spirit that exists across the globe. Leaders today must have a global perspective. Seeing the world and how different people live and work was profoundly impactful on both my professional and personal life. It underscored the universal aspirations of entrepreneurs and the transformative power of innovation worldwide. It is also not a coincidence that 10 years later, Pinnacle Group’s global footprint has expanded to over 25 countries—including our Global Capability Center in India and strategic extensions in the Philippines and Vietnam—as we continue to globalize our services.
Pinnacle Group has been recognized for its commitment to diversity and inclusion. How do you ensure that DE&I remains a core value in your organization?
Pinnacle Group has six core values that have been part of our DNA since the company was founded. One of them is Inclusive Culture – we advance diversity and foster an inclusive environment in all we do. This drives our work with all of our stakeholder groups, including Pinnacle Group associates, customers, contractors, suppliers, and the communities in which we live and work. We actively seek diverse talent, cultivate an inclusive workplace culture, and invest in programs and partnerships that connect more people with opportunity globally. Our success is driven in large part by including a variety of viewpoints, experiences, and perspectives in all we do. We are committed to ensuring that this value remains integral to our identity and operations.
Pinnacle Group began as a bold vision in the U.S. and today it’s making its mark across more than 25 countries. What inspired Pinnacle’s global expansion, and how has the journey across continents shaped the company’s evolution and impact?
Pinnacle Group’s global expansion has been entirely client-led, starting in 2009 with the establishment of our Canadian operations. This initial step set the foundation for our commitment to serving clients with international operations. Recognizing the importance of proximity to our clients in Latin America, we established a regional hub in Mexico City, enhancing our ability to deliver tailored workforce solutions across the LATAM region. In 2024, we took a significant leap by inaugurating our Asia-Pacific (APAC) Regional Headquarters in Chennai, India. Each move was strategic, driven by proximity to client operations and access to top talent. Looking ahead, we are on track to establish our European hub in Poland by the end of 2025, further solidifying our presence in the EMEA region. Our U.S. headquarters continues to manage operations across North America, ensuring a cohesive and comprehensive approach to our global services. These strategic expansions reflect our commitment to being a truly global partner, capable of delivering workforce solutions that meet the diverse needs of our clients worldwide.
What is your vision for the future of Pinnacle Group and PTR Global?
Pinnacle Group and PTR Global will continue to meet the dynamic needs of our clients across continents, embrace emerging technology, and foster a diverse and inclusive workplace. By staying true to our core values and adapting to the evolving needs of the marketplace, we aspire to shape the future of work and create opportunities worldwide.
