Latinas de Éxito Long Island 2016 by Latinus Magazine & TV

Celebrating Latina Women`s Success!

atinas de Éxito Long Island, is a recognition event organized by Long Island Latino Magazine/TV since 2015, and in this second version we have invited Empowering Woman TV/Radio to be part of this important event. We are honoring those women who by their leadership, initiative, community service, professional growth, endurance and genuineness contribute to Long Island’s integral development.

Jairo Zuluaga Producer

Who are the Latinas de Éxito? They are women who achieve their dreams, build their own paths and create a major impact on society. They are women who understand that success is not about having power or money, but in doing and helping others. They are those that even though they have fallen and have been rejected, they have learned to stand up and move forward

s honored & PROUD TO BE PART OF Latinas De Éxito LI as we loved to highlight all the hard work & dedication many women play behind the scenes!! Our MISSION in EMPOWERING WOMEN is to make women find their hidden potential for which she was created for but be part in nurturing and developing those talents so women can fulfill their purpose in life, regardless of condition or race, housewife, professionals, youth, adults, entrepreneurs, single or married we all were born for greatness and have a purpose on this earth.

while struggling to see their dreams come true. They are women who not only think of themselves but in their families, helping them out and helping their community build a better future. They are those who know how to say yes to the blessings and opportunities presented to them in life. These women are what they have visualized themselves and have the right to accomplish what they intend. In the coming years we hope to continue highlighting Latinas that are promoters of change, that accomplish concrete results, with ethical and caring management, with social responsibility, ability, dedication and spirit of service and are role models to others. Jairo Zuluaga CEO / President Long Island Latino Magazine/TV

No matter what you’ve been through or going through, God will give you the solution. You must learn how to build a strategy to achieve goals. Get up and move on, believe in yourself, boost your self-esteem, learn the best way to handle family matters understanding the importance of spiritual mental and physical health. Wendy Rodriguez CEO Empowering Women TV/Radio & Ultimate Sweat Zona (USZ)

Wendy Rodriguez Co-Producer

www.latinasdeexitoli.com

Producer Jairo Zuluaga Co-Producer Wendy Rodriguez Producer Assistant Maria Carvajal Editor-Reporter Diana Torres Camera and Edition Daniel “Nelo” Conde Jeovanny Menéndez Photography Jacob De Jesus Empire State Photography Luis Salazar Luilli’s Productions Graphic Designer Jairo Ramirez Location Vanderbilt Mansion & Museum Digital Marketing Online Marketing Solutions www.latinasdeexitoli.com www.longislandlatinotv.com info@longislandlatinotv.com

06. 08. 10. 12. 14. 16. 20. 22.

Contents Margarita Grasing Jenny Jorge Grace Ioannidis Nina Castro McCann Minerva Perez Dulce Rojas Jenny Cruz Sandra Gil

23. 24. 26. 28. 30. 32. 34. 35.

Dafny J Irizarry Isabel Sepulveda Elizabeth Custodio Elaine Medin Lucy Reyes Dorothy Santana Ana Torres Lina Cruz

Margarita Grasing “My passion is to make a better world every day”

argarita Grasing has been executive director of the Hispanic Brotherhood Inc. of Rockville Centre for over the past 30 years. She has been able to combine an outstanding career in the non-profit sector in service to the Hispanic community of Long Island while helping her husband, Bob, raise a wonderful family consisting of Marguerite, Kathleen, Robert and four grandchildren. Her work has encompassed scholarship programs for young adults, housing counseling, senior citizen nutrition program as well as an after school tutorial child care program. Margarita is past chairwoman of the Nassau County HIV Commission, member of the New York State Hispanic Housing Corporation, past member of Molloy College President’s Advisory Board on Multicultural Concerns, past board member of Catholic Charities of the Rockville Centre Diocese, past charter commissioner of the Nassau County Commission on Government

Revision, past vice-president of the Nassau County Hispanic Association, member of the New York State Division for Women and the Nassau County Advisory Council, Winthrop Hospital Board of Regents. She has received several awards to include: 2015 Friends of Senior Services, Inc. Rockville Centre, 2013 Molloy College Community Leadership, 2008 Pioneers Award by Hempstead Hispanic Civic Association, 2008 Community Advocate of the Year by the Club Civico Cubano, 2003 Latin Long Island First Annual Community Service, 2002 Neighborhoods on the Move in the New Millennium Award from Governor George E. Pataki, 2001 Women’s History Month, 1995 Martin Luther King-Living the Dream Award, 1993 Excellence in Housing from New York State Director of Housing, 1990 Town of Hempstead Pathfinder Award-Women’s History Month, 1989 Rockville Centre Human Rights Commission Award and 1987 Village of Rockville Centre Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Award.

video interview: www.latinasdeexitoli.com

Jenny Jorge “I would like to help our minority supermarkets grow in creasingly”

enny Jorge is currently the Vice President of Operations for Compare Foods Supermarket in Freeport, New York. Jenny’s family has been involved in the supermarket industry since 1978, when it opened the first of its supermarkets in Woodside, Queens. In 1995 Jenny’s parents, Francisco and Ursula, along with Jose and Rosa Gutierrez, purchased the Compare Foods Supermarket in Freeport. Since the age of 16, Jenny has been involved in the operations of the supermarket. Beginning in 2005, Jenny began to take a more active role in the leadership of Compare Foods Supermarkets. She was the lead organizer in the remodeling of the Compare Foods in Freeport, bringing to the area a completely redesigned supermarket and improving the façade and appearance of one of Freeport’s main commercial areas. In 2014, Jenny and her family launched a new supermarket chain, GalaFresh Farms, with its first location opening its doors in Baldwin, NY on December 8, 2015. This new concept store combines the comforts of a conventional supermarket with the upscale items of an organic store. Under the leadership of Jenny and her family, GalaFresh Farms has expanded to five locations serving New York and New Jersey. In addition to her duties at work, Jenny is heavily involved in improving the community. She serves on the Executive Board of Directors of the Freeport Chamber of Commerce as 3rd Vice President. She supports numerous community organizations like Hispanic Brotherhood of Rockville Centre, the Salvation Army, the Police Benevolent Association, local Little Leagues and religious and spiritual centers through generous donations and personal involvement. She is the only female on the Board of Directors of the National Supermarkets Association, an organization dedicated to defending the rights of independent supermarkets and supporting developing talent through scholarships and mentoring of the Hispanic youth of the Tristate area.

Jenny received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and Business Administration and completed her Master’s in Business Administration from Fordham University while working full time in the family business and aiding in the expansion of the businesses along the East Coast. She’s the second of four children and credits her parents, aunts and uncles for giving her the example of proper work ethic and leadership she currently tries to implement in every project she embraces.

video interview: www.latinasdeexitoli.com

er father, a survivor of the 1962 Bahia Cochinos Invasion, brought her and the entire family to the United States of America in 1965, as an immigrant, fleeing war and oppression in the Dominican Republic. She was educated in New York City schools, graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology in 1979 and began a career in New York City fashion design. Grace married and moved out to Mastic/Shirley and raised two sons in Suffolk County. Along the way, she became involved in community affairs affecting the quality of life in the Town of Brookhaven. Also she served as founder and president of both the Tri-Hamlet Neighbor Watch of Mastic/Mastic Beach and Shirley and The Citizen’s Action Civic Coalition from 1991 to 1998. During this time, She was instrumental in getting the enactment of reform legislation secured such as Brookhaven’s first ever Rental Permit Law and the County’s first ever Sober House Law. Grace then joined the Town of Brookhaven and as director headed up “Operation Firestorm”, which cleaned up abandoned lots, cracked down on housing violators, removed graffiti and worked to upgrade blighted hamlets. She ran for the office of Suffolk County Legislature in 2002. In 2004 Grace joined the Suffolk County Executive’s Office of Women Services and have been helping victims of domestic violence, small businesswomen, mothers with children in need, women seeking pay equity, women in need of housing assistance, women seeking higher education, women seeking divorce from abusive spouses and a whole array of issues that affect women who now make up 52% of our County’s population. “I’ve worked to ensure that small businesses are operated by the applicants who are pursuing the certification as Minority/Women Owned Business Enterprise”. On behalf of the S.C. Executive from 2012 to present day, She serve as S.C. Language Access Coordinator for individuals with limited English proficiency. Suffolk County agencies are required to provide direct public services to offer language assistance services (translation/ interpretation) to people of limited English proficiency (LEP).

Grace Ioannidis “In my professional role, the priority is to empower, support and assist the most vulnerable residents of Suffolk County”

video interview: www.latinasdeexitoli.com

Nina CASTRO McCann

“Right now I’m experimenting success in all aspects”

ina McCann is Director of Marketing and Public Relations for the Uniondale based Forchelli, Curto, Deegan, Schwartz, Mineo & Terrana LLP law firm. In addition, she spearheads the efforts of the firm’s Diversity Fellowship, which aggressively recruits attorneys (at the law clerk level) with diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Nina started her career as a publicist for a New York City not-forprofit organization, Victim Services, Inc. over 18 years ago. During her tenure, she acted as a bilingual spokesperson, resulting in coverage in The New York Times, Daily News, Newsday, and the Hispanic publication El Diario. She moved on to oversee marketing and business development events at companies such as MapQuest.com, Morgan Stanley, Thomson Reuters, Fried Frank LLP and Nixon Peabody LLP. She is on the Board of the Public Relations Professionals of Long Island, is a member of the Hispanic Public Relations Association – New York Chapter and serves on the Paralegal Advisory Board of Nassau Community College. She was the recipient of the Town of Hempstead’s Hispanic Heritage Award, the L.I. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s Director of the Year award, Long Island Business News’ Leadership in Law and most recently, Assembly District 19’s-Women of Distinction honor. She is a graduate of the Bronx High School of Science and received her B.A. degree from the City University of New York – Queens College and her M.B.A. from Hofstra University. She gives back to her alma maters whenever possible. She volunteers at resume and interviewing-technique workshops at the Bronx High School of Science and Hofstra University’s PRSSA (Public Relations Student Society of America) program. Lastly, Ms. McCann has contributed to numerous industry articles and has been featured on the radio discussing marketing, public relations and media.

video interview: www.latinasdeexitoli.com

Minerva Perez

“Success is maintaining the balance in all aspects of my life”

inerva Perez aka Scelza (writer, director, producer, and executive director) is a graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. She founded and ran a New York City theater company that produced new works for the stage for eight years. Over the last 20 year or more she has acted in, directed, and produced film, theatre and television. Some film and TV credits include: Caddyshack, Law & Order, Home, Dark was the Night, We Only Know So Much. She produced and directed the only Spanish Vagina Monologues in the Hamptons. In addition to bringing new full productions to the Guild Hall Stage as well as staged readings, Ms. Perez Scelza was co-producer of the Vagina Monologues starring Blythe Danner, Brooke Shields, and Julie White— which raised $10,000 for the Retreat. Ms. Perez was the director of the Retreat’s domestic violence shelter for six years. Ms. Perez was named executive director to OLA of Eastern Long Island on February 1, 2016. She is honored to put her full energy into the growth and development of OLA as an organization dedicated to the building of cultural bridges while it builds strength and leadership within our Latino community on the East End.

video interview: www.latinasdeexitoli.com

Dulce Rojas “Every day I come across a thought that changes my life”

ulce Anhel Rojas Mendez, age 25, was born in El Distrito Federal, Mexico. She is a first generation Mexican-American and first to graduate college in her family, which arrived to New York in 1995. Dulce learned what discrimination was, at an early age, as the family experienced a year of harassment during the anti-immigrant climate in Farmingville, which eventually forced them to move. She watched her parents rise up as activists becoming involved in politics, to fight back. At St. Joseph’s College of New York, Dulce joined the first ever Latin Dance Group of which she became secretary then president. She received the Most Valuable Member award by the Student Government Association and became president of the National Hispanic Honors Society Chapter Delta Phi, of Signa Delta Pi where she worked to develop an educational environment for Spanishspeaking students. Graduating with Honors from St. Joseph’s College with a Bachelor’s degree in Speech Communications, focus on Speech Pathology and a minor in Spanish, Dulce desired to become a bilingual speech therapist helping people of low socio-economic status and low English proficiency. Dulce was on the Dean’s List the fall of 2014. Her academic success is attributed to family and inspirational professors. When her parents divorced it was the strong will and determination of her mother that set the example for Dulce to persevere. This experience shaped the fierce feminist in Dulce. Today she is the first community organizer for SEPA Mujer, Inc. targeted to defend the rights of Latino Immigrant women. She has lead women to action/protest and has demonstrated how to speak out against all injustices. This courage earned her the NYS Rising Latino Star 40 under 40 award. Dulce was recently paid homage in the Noticia Long Island newspaper with three other colleagues as Young Latina Women Leaders of Long Island. She was privileged to meet with one of the greatest activists of her time, Dolores Huerta and like her, Dulce hopes to inspire and empower the next generation to continue the struggle for social change. Dulce will be doing her part by voting, for the first time, this year.

video interview: www.latinasdeexitoli.com

enny Cruz is currently employed by Bethpage Federal Credit Union since January 2009. In May 2015 she changed her position within Bethpage FCU. She is now a small business officer where she provides all types of assistance to anyone in need of small business lending whether buying a commercial building or purchasing a business. Jenny was the branch manager for the Central Islip branch. Prior to Bethpage FCU, Jenny worked for JPMorgan Chase from March 1992 to December 2008 as a senior loan officer; and was able to travel to several different branches to conduct mortgage interviews with possible bank customers/clients. Her territories were Freeport, Hempstead, West Hempstead, Wyandanch, Brentwood, Central Islip, and Bay Shore as well as other numerous branches throughout Long Island. She also worked for the following companies: Chemical Bank as a payroll supervisor, AIG as a regional liaison and United Community Insurance Company with different capacities and her last position held was as a department manager. Jenny attended CCNY in New York City where she majored in Liberal Arts. She was the recipient of the following community awards: March 2014 Community Achievement for Women’s Month by Legislative District 9-Monica Martinez; March 2014 Corporate Community Care Award by SEPA Mujer; and May 2014 Corporate Excellence Award by the Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Her current activities involve being treasurer of the Central Islip/Islandia Chamber of Commerce, treasurer of Immigration Legal Service of Long Island, and treasurer of SEPA Mujer. Jenny is a board member of Teatro Experimental YerbaBruja, and board member of Adelante of Suffolk County, Inc. As a small business officer and as branch manager at Bethpage Federal Credit Union, she’s involved in several community events and projects throughout Long Island. Jenny’s participation in these events and projects is beneficial to her as well as to the Bethpage FCU in an effort to give back to the community they serve.

Jenny Cruz “What I want , I strive and I achieve it”

“My mother is my role model to follow, for all she did when she came to this country in order to raise me and my siblings.” “I advise young people, not to look back , to move forward and if they fall to stand up.” Jenny is a proudly mother of Eric and she lives with her husband and their dog Lance.

video interview: www.latinasdeexitoli.com

Sandra Gil

“I like to advocate and work for good causes”

orn and raised in Guayaquil, Ecuador, she first experienced living in the United States at the age of 17, when Sandra came to Pennsylvania as an American Field Service exchange student. A year later she returned to Ecuador and enrolled in a local University where she received an Associate’s degree in Business and Administration. While studying for her Bachelor’s degree, she worked for 2 well-established language centers as an English teacher. She also worked in the Import/Export business as a department manager before making the United States her permanent home.

projects she was involved in such as: Brentwood Door-toDoor “Community Assessment Surveys”, Building Bridges for a Healthy Community, a Workshop to Healthcare Professionals and Social Workers, development of cultural and linguistic curricula for targeted populations on Long Island and Parent Leadership Initiative. Sandra is founding member and current president of the Latino Health Initiative of Suffolk County, founding and current member of the Academic Excellence Task Force Committee for the Brentwood Union Free School District and worked with the Girl Scouts of Long Island as a Troop Leader, to name a few.

Sandra moved to Suffolk County in January 1989. She decided to change her major to human and social services and started a rewarding job in the Health Department in the Division of Patient Care in October 1989. Throughout her 25 years of service, she gained experience in reaching out to the local community centers, hosting informational/educational workshops, attending community events to promote quality health care while identifying and enrolling patients with the greatest need for good health care and human services.

Sandra’s honors and awards include the 2014 Community Excellence Award, 2012 Community Advocacy Award, 2009 National Award for Community Service and Nutritional Programs,2008 Town of Islip – Hispanic Heritage Distinguished Service Award, 2007 Friends of the Social Workers Award, 2007 Distinguished Volunteer Award and 1982 Youth Leader Recognition.

Her passion and spirit of volunteerism was prevalent in the

Mrs. Gil finds great joy in being a wife and mother. She has 2 daughters, Jennifer and Stephanie that inspire and motivate her daily.

video interview: www.latinasdeexitoli.com

Dafny J. Irizarry “My faith in God and my spiritual principles inspires me greatly”

afny Joy Irizarry Ortiz was born and raised in Ponce, Puerto Rico. She attended the University of Puerto Rico at Rio Piedras for two years. She became a recipient of the Paul Douglas Scholarship allowing her to successfully complete her Bachelors of Arts degree in Linguistics, graduating Cum Laude from SUNY Stony Brook. Dafny also received her teacher certification in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) at SUNY Stony Brook. Ms. Irizarry obtained a Master’s degree in Education from CUNY at Queens College. She graduated in 2000 Magna Cum Laude. Dafny also attended Suffolk County Community College and completed the one-year program of study in Paralegal with highest distinction in 2006. In October, 2006, Ms. Irizarry founded the Long Island Latino Teachers Association also known as LILTA. As its president, the organization continues her mission of increasing high school graduation rates and higher education enrollment and retention while being a strong advocate for high quality education for all underrepresented communities. Currently, Dafny teaches English as a Second Language (ESL) in the Central Islip School District. She also serves as a member of the NYS Commissioner’s Teachers Advisory Board, Board Trustee for the Suffolk County Community College, Board Chair for Herstory Writers Workshop, Advisory Board Member for the TESOL Program at Molloy College and Advisory Board Member for the Professional Education Program at Stony Brook University.

video interview: www.latinasdeexitoli.com

sabel Sepulveda de Scanlon was born in Santiago, Chile. She immigrated to the United States of America in 1980 with her husband Corey Swinderman. They lived in Chicago and California. After separating from her husband she, and her one and a half year old daughter Constance, came to live in East Hampton, New York. Isabel fell in love with the area and Kenneth Scanlon whom she married in 1995 and gave birth to her second daughter, Cassandra. Isabel began her involvement in the community by starting her bilingual TV Show “Vlda en los Hampton”, and later becoming a member of the Bridgehampton Child Care Center of the Hamptons. She also became a board member of local television (LTV) of East Hampton, Long Island Immigration Alliance. In 2001 she co-founded OLA, in 2002 she cofounded the OLA Latino Film Festival, in 2005 she founded the Voz Latina Bilingual Newspaper and she became a board member of the Southampton Business Alliance, Watermill Center. More recently, her activities and achievements include becoming a board member of the Southampton Library in January 2016, and in February 2016 her Voz Latina Bilingual Newspaper was featured in the New York Times Newspaper. Isabel spends most of her time serving and creating a bridge in the East End community.

Isabel Sepulveda “Fighting for justice, is my inspiration”

video interview: www.latinasdeexitoli.com

Elizabeth Custodio “I never take “No” for an answer”

orn and raised in the Bronx, where she attended CUNY’s Herbert H. Lehman College, Elizabeth’s banking career was launched at Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company. This is where she first learned what true customer service was all about. She has since accumulated over thirty-five years of banking experience. Her first twenty-four years was with HSBC Bank (USA) N.A. where she worked as FVP of Regional Mortgage Community Development. She managed the Community Business Development Officers throughout HSBC’s national footprint. Her assignments included economic and community outreach and liaison between the bank’s mortgage corporation and the bank branch network. Most recently, she has joined Astoria Federal Savings as assistant CRA officer for the association.

Elizabeth possesses a unique sensitivity to the needs of economically challenged communities. This allowed her to excel in exploring and developing synergies between corporations and key community based organizations throughout several regions. Fluent in Spanish and having grown up in the inner city gives her the strength, understanding and unique perspective needed to perform her duties for groups and associations such as being vice chair of the Suffolk County Economic Development Committee, board member of the Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and being on the Suffolk County IDA Board. Elizabeth has also worked with the Community Development Corporation of Long Island, Child Care Council of Suffolk County, Long Island Housing Partnership, Nassau County Department of Housing, Greater Jamaica Development Corp., Urban League of Long Island, SUNY College at Old Westbury, Board

of Trustees and Adelante of Suffolk County, Inc., to name a few. Elizabeth has been the recipient of numerous awards and honors like being featured as Latina Leader of the Month on Telecare Television, Latina Style Magazine’s Top 50 Corporations Award, Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Corporation of the Year, Adelante of Suffolk County’s Ruby Award and many more. She believes that strategic alliances stimulate and sustain economic development as a form of individual empowerment and advancement for both the communities and their residents. Elizabeth has been successful in developing her banking career while being a wife to Eliud Custodio and mother to three children Eliud II, Christie and Mark. They live in Stony Brook.

video interview: www.latinasdeexitoli.com

Elaine Medin “Education has been the key to success in my life”

btaining her formal education and administrative certification both here and in her native Argentina, she graduated from Guillermo Brown Institute with a Bachelor in Science in Elementary Education. She received an Advanced Dance Instructor degree from the Art Institute, and BS in Psychology from John F. Kennedy University, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Compelled by life’s challenges, she came to America, learned a new culture, and studied English at Stony Brook University. After obtaining her Master’s Degree in Secondary Education-Spanish from Adelphi University. She pursued a second Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from the College of Saint Rose, Albany, NY, and currently pursues a Doctoral Degree in Instructional Leadership at St. John’s University, Queens, NY. Elaine’s Adult & Continuing Education Program administers teaching services to more than 1300 adult students in English as a Second Language, General Education Degree and Adult Basic Education. Recently added courses include medical and technical skills training leading to a National Certification in Phlebotomy, EKG Testing and Medical Billing. Under her directorship, student gains have increased 48% since she was hired in 2008. She’s written curriculum and contributed to the development of a parent/in-school student workshop series promoting healthy food choices, and co-facilitates with Dr. Robert Dell’Amore, a BOCES and SCOPE awardwinning program entitled “The Power of FOOD: Life Skills for Optimal Health”, featured in two branches of the military, US Department of Agriculture, NYC Office of the American Diabetes Association and New York Botanical Garden. She serves on the Advisory Board of the ‘I AM CI Foundation, Inc.’ whose mission is to promote/enhance the quality of life for children in the Central Islip School District. Elaine’s been recognized locally/nationally as one of Long Island’s Top 50 Women in Business 2010, Lifestyle Health Advocate of the Year 2011, received the Education is Power & Leadership Award, recognized by the State Supervisor and Administrator Association as Administrator of the Year 2012, received the Stony Brook University, PDK International Chapter, Leadership, Research, Service Award 2014 and in 2015 Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone recognized her program at the Annual National Welcome Week Community Achievement event.

video interview: www.latinasdeexitoli.com

Lucy Reyes “My greatest strength is Jesus Christ”

his woman of Dominican origin, came to the US at an early age, hoping to study along her brothers and build a prosperous future. In the 70’s, she received a distinction form newspaper Noticia Latina for “Exemplary latin woman”. Her studies on dramatic arts led her to become a respectable actress appearing in more than 26 Broadway’s plays, and working alongside world entertainment recognized directors. Throughout her life, she has obtained great professional achievements like her degree in bookkeeping, and teaching Spanish at Lehman College. This leader is a role model for many women. She’s one of the founders of the Dominican Cultural Center at N.Y. where she works in pro of the Hispanic community of lower Manhattan. This multifaceted leader has traveled the evangelism’s path since very young, and thank to that, she found in music a way to bring the community closer to God. She is a minister in a church and has recorded, to date, 5 lyrics inspired by the gospel. Lucy Reyes is the mother of Klayresse and Luz Massiel, who follow her steps in music and are known as “The Reyes Queens” duet. Her husband, Dr Ricardo Reyes, has been her support and together they have founded “El Elyon” Cristian Center, where they preach the word to many followers. She is also the founder of “Alerta Communications Networks” alongside her husband, a communications company that has various channels that transmit the word and teachings of the bible to all the evangelical families, emphasizing in women, their principles, values and self-esteem.

video interview: www.latinasdeexitoli.com

Dorothy Santana

“Success is being happy with what you are doing”

orothy Santana has pursued an active role of advocacy in various capacities on Long Island. Within the past 20 years, she has successfully worked on issues such as housing and psychiatric services for the homeless and mentally ill, reunification of families in New York City’s foster care system, and domestic violence. Dorothy established a children’s direct service program for the nationally recognized Latina domestic violence organization, Violence Intervention Program, Inc., that met the counseling needs of children who witnessed domestic violence. She has dedicated herself to the battered women’s movement providing direct culturally competent, bilingual services to women and children as well as administrative oversight to a multitude of programs before working on her current endeavors on Long Island. Currently, Dorothy is a facilitator for Parent Leadership Initiative Long Island and is nationally certified with the National Parent Leadership Training Institute. She’s also a portfolio advisor for the Family Development Credentialing course to help students take a strength based approach and practice while working with families. Dorothy’s passion is to share and preserve Latino culture with families. In 2014, to bridge the disconnect between Latino/bicultural youth and their heritage, she created Latina Moms of Long Island (LMLI), a network established It works to encourage families to expose children to the richness’s of the Latino culture and to nurture a Latino identity. She established the first Hispanic Heritage month celebration at Wood’s Road Elementary School in 2011. The event has successfully continued for the past 5 years and has been instrumental in other schools following her model. She serves on a number of committees throughout Long Island including her children’s PTA and the Town of Babylon’s Human Services Hispanic Heritage Committee. In 2013 Ms. Santana was honored by the Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone and in 2014 by New York State Senator Phil Boyle for her dedication to sharing Latino culture across Long Island. Dorothy attended SUNY Buffalo and continued her education at CUNY Baruch College where she obtained her certification in NON-Profit Management. She resides in North Babylon with her husband and four children.

video interview: www.latinasdeexitoli.com

Ana Torres

Ana is a visionary. Her dream goes on and she hopes to never wake up!

reamer who was born in Bronx, NY where her elementary school education started and continued in Brentwood. She attended the Bay Shore High School followed by college at SUNY Farmingdale in Old Westbury. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in CW Post and her Master’s from Bank Street College with an internship at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Her early career included prominent positions as a community leader. She’s founder of the Long Island Chapter of National Conference of Puerto Rican Women, former president of the chapter and former national headquarters president. Ana was former director of La Union Hispanica, former director of Early Childhood programs serving children

from infancy to age 12, and she was program developer for the Puerto Rican Forum in New York City. She’s received numerous awards to include being chosen the Business Woman of the Year in 1999 across Long Island. Recognition for her work ranges from local to state government for Shepherd’s Gate. Ana was principal of a private school, Centro Biblico, in Freeport. Inspite of her success, there was a nagging sensation that she could do more, but not while working for someone else. She left her job and started the birth of her dream—an affordable summer camp, daycare and after school program where children could blossom/learn in a safe, family oriented atmosphere. This dream began in 1998 with 23 children at St.

Anne’s in Brentwood. She relocated in September 1998 to the Brentwood Presbyterian Church. Only 3 children attended Shepherd’s Gate on opening day. Undeterred, she pursued the vision she believed to be God’s mission for her contribution in life. July 2001 her daycare relocated to the spacious campus of St. Joseph’s Academy in Brentwood, a partnership with the Sisters of St. Joseph, where she runs a summer program for children ages 5 to 12 year round. Presently, her 18 years of service in Bay Shore, Brentwood, Central Islip and other Islip Town communities with her staff of over 50 employees, administers child care as the largest Universal Full Day Pre K program in the Island and State assisting over 3,000 children and families.

video interview: www.latinasdeexitoli.com

Lina Cruz

“People should love what they do to be happy”

ina is a trilingual Colombian and believer living in New York. She is optimistic, passionate, friendly and determined to greet everyone with a smile. It’s her view that she has been brought up with a broader perspective about life. She loves the outdoors and was raised by parents who were in the sports industry. Ms. Cruz graduated with honors in High School from Nuestra Senora del Pilar in Colombia and represented her country in a South-American race walking competition, taking the bronze medal home. At age 18, she traveled to New York with a suitcase full of dreams. At Hostos Community College, Lina completed the ESL program, in less than the required time, with one of the highest scores, making her an example for other students in the program. She was selected as the VP of the Student Government Association becoming the voice of those students who felt the language barrier kept them from being heard. After obtaining her A.S. in Business Management with honors, she became the first student to be selected for an internship program in the department of Latino Affairs with the New York Yankees.

video interview: www.latinasdeexitoli.com

Lina undoubtedly persisted despite the difficulties presented in her life. She continued her studies, graduating in 2014 with honors (Cum Laude) from Baruch College in the program of Public Affairs with a Psychology minor and as captain of the school’s cross country team. As a participant in the Colombian Civic Center Beauty Pageant (Centro Civico Colombiano), she was selected as the 2015-2016 winner. She is currently in her second year as the coordinator of Latino Affairs with the Yankees, in the New York office, where she works on multicultural marketing, Spanish social media and bilingual content for the organization among many other responsibilities. Lina is very proud to be one of the few women, few Latinas and the only Colombian woman to be working with one of the most prestigious sport franchises in the world. She hopes that her story will be an example and proof that hard work and dedication defeats any stereotype.