November 2012 Volume 5 – Issue 11 Join our mailing list! Become a Member! 2024 N. Broadway, Suite 100, Santa Ana, CA 92706 - 714-836-4042 Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez and the National Hispanic Business Women Association Hold 4th Annual Latina Business Women Luncheon Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (CA-47) and the National Hispanic Business Women Association of Orange County (NHBWA) held the 4th Annual Latina Business Women Luncheon on Thursday, September 27, 2012. The briefing, which was held at the Delhi Center in Santa Ana, was attended by over 80 businesswomen and community leaders. The briefing featured a panel of three successful Latina businesswomen that shared their experiences and challenges within their respective fields. Insurance Executive Monica Rangel discussed the importance of education and preparation through her own professional story; Mary Perillo shared her story about owning an aerospace and defense company; and Tricia Sanchez spoke about the day-to-day challenges of operating a business and the need to find a work-life balance. Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez moderates a panel of successful Latina business women (photo courtesy of Carlos Urquiza). NHBWA President Sahara Garcia (far left) and Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (far right) present certificates of recognition to panelists Mary Perillo, Perillo Industries; Tricia Sanchez, C3 Office Solutions; and Monica E. Rangel, New York Life Insurance (photo courtesy of Nancy Ramos). NHBWA President Sahara Garcia welcomed attendees and spoke about the organization’s initiatives and accomplishments. “We invite our community partners to share our resources and events to assist future or current businesswomen to succeed,” Garcia said. During the briefing, Congresswoman Sanchez provided a legislative update on issues affecting the business community and women in particular. In addition to the update, Congresswoman Sanchez moderated the panel composed of Monica Rangel, Partner at New York Life Insurance; Mary Perillo, President/CEO at Century Electronics; and Tricia Sanchez, Owner of C3 Office Solutions. “I am thrilled to see Latinas succeed in all industries including insurance, aerospace, defense, and technology. These are areas where women have long been underrepresented,” Congresswoman Sanchez said. The Latina Business Women Luncheon is held annually to discuss various topics of interest to business women, but also to showcase the accomplishments of Latina business women in the community. Exercise Your Constitutional Right. Vote on November 6 th NHBWA News Brief Page 2 Upcoming Events and Seminars Event Location Date/Time Working Wardrobes 2012 Baubles & Bags www.workingwardrobes.org The Nixon Library & Museum 18001 Yorba Linda Boulevard Yorba Linda, CA 92886 November 4, 2012 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. SBA – How to Market to Your Neighbors [email protected] Cypress Community Center 5700 Orange Avenue Cypress, CA 90630 November 8, 2012 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Soldiers to Scholars Reception www.soldiers2scholars.org The Santora Building-Downtown Santa Ana 201 N. Broadway Santa Ana, CA 92701 November 8, 2012 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. OCSBDC – Small Business Orientation Workshop www.santaanadistrictsbdc.com Rancho Santiago Community College District 2323 N. Broadway, Room 114 Santa Ana, CA 92706 November 8, 2012 2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. OCSBDC – Basic Finance For Your Business www.santaanadistrictsbdc.com Fullerton Public Library 353 W. Commonwealth Ave. Fullerton, CA 92832 November 15, 2012 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. SCORE – Writing Proposals That Win Business National University 3390 Harbor Blvd. Costa Mesa, CA 92626 November 27, 2012 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon OCSBDC – Creating Your Roadmap to Success www.santaanadistrictsbdc..com Rancho Santiago Community College District 2323 N. Broadway, Room 107 Santa Ana, CA 92706 November 28, 2012 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Our Valued Sponsors and Supporters NHBWA News Brief Page 3 Did You Know? Southern California Edison Honored Business Leaders at Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration Honoring business and community leaders, Southern California Edison (SCE) hosted its Hispanic Heritage Month celebration on October 5th at the utility’s Energy Education Center. With the theme “Celebrating Latino History, Culture and Leadership,” SCE highlighted the entrepreneurial spirit of the Hispanic community and the company’s commitment to helping its business and residential customers conserve energy. More than 200 people attended the event. “SCE is proud to share more than a century of growth and partnership with the diverse customers we serve,” said Lisa Cagnolatti, vice president, SCE Business Customer Division. “We are pleased to honor the accomplishments of noteworthy business and community leaders in Southern California.” Glasswerks LA, Inc. and C&F Foods, Inc. were this year’s Business Customer Energy Efficiency Participation Award winners. These companies were recognized for achieving their sustainability goals and for reducing their energy consumption. Both participated in SCE’s Express Efficiency and lighting energy efficiency programs that helped them reduce their annual energy consumption. A special Community Partnership Award was presented to the Esperanza Scholarship Foundation (ESF), a non-profit organization in San Bernardino County helping students achieve their educational dreams. Edison International Chairman, President and CEO Ted Craver and Senior Vice President Gaddi Vasquez spoke at the event, highlighting the strength of diversity at the company. The event was keynoted by Michael Ortiz, president of California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Special guest Monica Gil, senior vice president of government and public affairs with Nielsen, also spoke at the event. Left to right: SCE Latinos for Engagement, Advancement and Development (LEAD) Board Members with SCE SVP of Public Affairs - NHBWA Board member Monica Estrada Nuñez, Kevin Nesby, Hector Aguilar, Gaddi Vasquez, Bernice Maldonado, Maria Loera Right: Ted Craver, Edison International President, Chairman and CEO addressing the audience. NHBWA News Brief Page 4 Member Corner Passion for Fashion A native of Colombia, Adriana Spitzer is a dynamic woman with a keen eye for fashion, with over 30 years of experience in the fashion industry. Adriana created Bellissima – Designer Consignment Resale in 1998, a treasure trove of women’s designer clothing, shoes, luxury handbags, and couture jewelry in the heart of beautiful Corona del Mar, California. A former American and European designer consultant specialist for Nordstrom's and St. John Knits for over 16 years, Spitzer provides a unique personalized combination of service, fitting and complete privacy. Named “2004 Business Woman of the Year” by the National Hispanic Business Woman Association (NHBWA), Adriana is known to be a business owner that gives back to her community working with Charities like Women Helping Women, Human Options, and American Cancer Society. Adriana continues supporting NHBWA as an Advisory Board member. For more information, visit www.bellissimaconsignment.com Scholarship Spotlight An Example of Perseverance Irvine resident Perla Ruth Lopez Godina is very proud of accomplishing one of her short term goals by graduating from Irvine Valley College earlier this year. “When I first began attending community college, it was very difficult for me to be focused on my studies due to my living situation and financial circumstances. As a result my GPA was as low as a 1.18. I am very proud to say that I managed to work hard and earn straight As in my last semester,” Perla recounts. “My life experiences have taught me many things and make me aspire to give back to the community. I want to help at-risk teens that have gone through similar situations and guide them in the right direction. I am a living witness that it is through education that we break through anything,” Perla says. As a single mother she has sacrificed a lot to be able get herself this far into her education and will continue to do so until she receives her Bachelor’s Degree. Perla is very grateful that NHBWA has helped her pursue her dreams by financially supporting her education through the scholarship she received this past May. “Thank you NHBWA for this wonderful and unforgettable experience. I am beyond thankful and am truly blessed!”she said. EXECUTIVE BOARD MONICA ESTRADA ROSSINA GALLEGOS LYDIA SALVETTA SAHARA GARCIA GLORIA GLENN FRANCISCA GONZALES-BAXA ADRIANA SPITZER ELIZABETH ARTEAGA ELVA RUBALCAVA SYLVIA LOPEZ-NAVARRO ISABELLE VILLASEÑOR BELINDA DE LA LIBERTAD HONORARY BOARD DIANE MEDINA SEASONAL STAFF CECILIA NOVELLA MARIE MORENO SOFIA NEGRON-LINN CARMEN CASTRO TERESA MERCADO-COTA ADVISORY BOARD OLGA NIEBLA BOARD OF DIRECTORS PAT DANEL EMMA RAMIREZ-HIGHTOWER DIRECTOR/EDITOR ERIKA DE LA TEJA MARIA DE LOURDES SOBRINO TERESA SALDIVAR PATTY HOMO “The most effective way to do it, is to do it.” - Amelia Earhart