2024 The Art of Being a Modern Latina Panelists

Women's D D

Emcee&Moderator

VANESSA COPPES

CEO-BELLAMEDIA+CO

As one of only five Latina women in the U.S. to helm an international magazine, BELLA Editor-In-Chief Vanessa Coppes brings the full depth of her diverse background as an immigrant to running her magazine as well as her media company.

Born and raised in the Dominican Republic, at the age of 13 Coppes had a clear vision of working in the magazine business in New York City, but pursued the more predictable path of becoming a teacher. After graduating college and attending design school there, she taught for several years and loved it, but knew her future held more.

In 2006, she made the permanent move to the U.S. and was certified to teach in New York but after a bout with post-partum depression, decided to completely re-invent her life. She struggled through a succession of jobs, and in looking for a creative outlet focused on her writing for her blog VCoppes.com. Then, her love of footwear, and a chance encounter with an executive at Aldo Shoes, landed her a management position at the company, one of the biggest global shoebrands.

Immersed in the fashion world she created her line of costume jewelry, which landed on the pages of BELLA Magazine in 2009. Offered a position at the magazine, she became the Marketing Director as well as the Digital Social Strategist and was exposed to the entire scope of the magazine business.

In 2019, she was savvy enough to purchase the magazine when it went up for sale and created the company known as BELLA Media + Co. The print and digital magazine is now an international bi-monthly lifestyle publication focused on fashion, beauty, mind and body, celebrity, philanthropy, arts and culture, and travel. With an emphasis on inclusion, Coppes says, “We aim to push the content boundaries a bit, to allow women to embrace who and what they are. I feel that we in media have a responsibility with the messages that we are sending to young women. BELLA aims to empower and be a positive agent of change.”Additionally, there is a digital Spanish language version of the magazine entitled BELLA LATINA, as well as a print version. Coppes is responsible for all editorial content, securing brand partnerships and directing a staff of 60.

An award-winning CEO, Coppes hosts BELLA TV segments which bring the pages of BELLA magazine to life along with added exclusive content. She also hosts the magazine’ s podcast called Real Talk with BELLA. A regular Lifestyle contributor on New York’ s PIX 11 News, she has also spoken at New York’ s Fashion Institute of Technology.

As the Co-Founder of ETT Women (Entrepreneurial Think Tank) and the ETT Women Foundation, Coppes is a passionate advocate of supporting women. Started in 2012, ETT Women is a networking organization that focuses on providing business skills and resources. The ETT Women Foundation provides assistance to female victims of domestic violence and emotional, sexual or financial abuse. The foundation offers mentoring programs and educational workshops plus a variety of career, health, and wellness services. As a survivor of sexual abuse, Coppes understands the needs of women in crisis and knows that “the path of the past does not define the future.”

Coppes is also on the Advisory Committee for Women of Color in Philanthropy. She is the author of the book, 5 Steps to Fabulous: Choices for Living Beautifully Inside and Out, which deals with surviving sexual assault, alcoholism, and self-destructive behavior. She credits her deep faith for her amazing journey of recovery.

Married, she is the mother of two sons and two rescued pit bulls. They all reside in New Jersey and love her Dominican cooking.

Latina Trailblazer Award

- Politics

SENATOR MARIA TERESA RUIZ

In 2007, Senator Ruiz became the first Puerto Rican elected to the Senate. Since then she has been re-elected five times. Currently, Senate Majority Leader, Senator Ruiz is the highest-ranking Latina legislator in state history. She previously served as chair of the Senate Education Committee. Throughout her time in the Senate, she has fought for equity in educational spaces, acting as the leading force in expanding access to early childhood education throughout the state. She also spearheaded the law to build on the federal free and reduced meal program so that all students who qualify for the program could receive breakfast and lunch at no cost, eliminating the reduced category. Furthermore, she has sponsored laws to increase diversity within the school curriculum and strengthen the Amistad Commission.

The senator has also focused on expanding employment opportunities for underserved communities, sponsoring bill packages to expand apprenticeship programs in the state and increase teacher diversity. The apprenticeship package, which was enacted, created more accessible pathways to careers in high growth industries by incentivizing business participation in apprenticeship programs.

In addition, she has taken a targeted approach to mitigating the barriers that prevent people of color from obtaining and retaining full-time teaching positions, advancing legislation to establish educator apprenticeship programs, providing loan redemption opportunities and expand alternate route programs.

Furthering her agenda to support new mothers, parents, and families, in 2021 Senator Ruiz sponsored a law to provide all New Jersey parents access to one cost-free newborn home visit, creating the most comprehensive nurse visitation program in the nation. Senator Ruiz was also the prime sponsor of a 2020 law to allow candidates to use campaign funds to cover childcare expenses incurred due to campaign activities.

The Senator received a bachelor’ s degree from Drew University. She was a 2010 Aspen Institute RodelFellow and a graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School’ s Senior Executives in State and Local Government Program. She is vice chair of the Essex County Democratic Party and is deputy chief of staff to Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. She served as a delegate to the Democratic National Conventions in 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016. Among all of her accomplishments, the title she holds most dear is that of a mother.

ONA DIAZ

CEO&CreativeDirector5Salon&Spa

Ona Diaz-Santin, better known as Ona “The Hair Saint,” is progressively making waves as one of the most versatile and highly sought-after Latina hair stylists in the NJ/NYC area.

A celebrity stylist, educator, and curl expert, Ona has revived the tresses of numerous celebrities. She has also become well-known amongst the rapidly growing curly influencer network, favorited as the go-to stylist by top bloggers and influencers including Massy Arias, Franchelli Rodriguez (Chellis Curls), Carolina Contreras (Miss Rizos) and Ada Rojas (All Things Ada). Her nickname, “The Hair Saint” was dubbed by her loyal clients, who felt she not only healed their hair but provided a full curative, and soothing experience like no other.

Ona is an educator, giving dozens of workshops per year to train and educate other stylists. She is the owner and Creative Director at 5 Salon & Spa, which is located just a hop and a skip from New York City in Fort Lee, New Jersey.

Most recently, 5 Salon & Spa was named by Refinery29 as one of “The Best New York City Salons For Natural Hair & Curls.” Next to raising her family, supporting other women in the beauty and salon business is Ona’ s top priority. She's been featured in various publications (in both English and Spanish) including People En Español, Thrillist, Para Ti Mujer, Elle Magazine, Oprah Magazine and Allure Magazine.

Panelist

ADI ADAIR

ChiefFinancialOfficerat AMERICANDREAM

Adi Adair is the Chief Financial Officer of Triple Five Group/American Dream. Her career as a Chief Financial Officer and multidimensional finance executive has included designing and executing strategies that enhance value for stakeholders and improve operational performance. Ms. Adair has been sought after and recruited repeatedly for her expertise in the real estate industry, her skill in negotiating complex multi-million-dollar deals, and her success of more than 15 years with improving finance and accounting operations.

Prior to Triple Five Group/American Dream, Ms. Adair has held positions such as VP Corporate Accounting, CFO, and COO at various firms, including The Related Companies; Treetop Development; The Halle Companies; Housing Trust Group and BAP Development.

Panelist

MONICA SARANTIDIS SeniorVP,HRBusiness Partner,andOrganizational DevelopmentDirectorat ProvidentBank

Monica Sarantidis is a Senior Vice President and HR Business Partner Director. In this role, Ms. Sarantidis serves as a trusted advisor and change agent, working closely with organizational leaders to build a highperforming culture and foster employee engagement. In addition, together with her team, she promotes a culture of continuous growth and development, while ensuring the organization is embracing its Guiding Principles and complying with policies and applicable employment laws and regulations.

Ms. Sarantidis has more than 20 years of experience in human resources management and organizational development. Prior to joining Provident, she held positions of increasing responsibility with Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of NJ, Time, Inc., Travelport Worldwide, Inc., and Time Warner. Ms. Sarantidis holds a B.A. in Psychology from Rutgers University and is bilingual in English and Spanish.

She is a Corporate Advisory Board member for the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and the Forest Hill Community Association of Newark. Ms. Sarantidis is a past recipient of the YWCA Tribute to Women & Industry Award.

Monica is a dedicated wife and mother, and the creative talent behind weekly Sunday night dinners for friends and extended family. A Newark native, Monica is keenly interested incommunity and urban development.

Panelist

ADRIANA DAWSON

SocialImpactLeader, CommunityEngagement DirectoratVerizon

A nationally recognized social impact leader, Adriana Dawson has been driving results at the intersection of Purpose+Profit for over two decades.

Her multi-sector career led her to the telecommunications industry in 2019 when she joined Verizon as Community Engagement Director. She currently oversees Verizon's strategic investment and social impact programming efforts across the East Region. In this role, she leads and expands Verizon’ s partnership network, and community investments, and collaborates across the business supporting regional and national initiatives. In addition, she serves as a Global Lead for SOMOS, an enterprise-wide Employee Resource Group (ERG) amplifying the voice of Verizon’ s 6K+ Hispanic/Latinx employees.

Adriana is a highly regarded entrepreneur with a keen ability to launch and scale new efforts while accelerating results and generating new revenue streams. Prior to joining Verizon, Adriana was the Vice President of Community Development at Bank Newport. She was responsible for implementing and administering all strategic aspects of the Bank's Community Reinvestment Act(CRA)Program. She spearheaded the Bank’ s urban expansion efforts and successfully led the Bank through its CRA federal examination.

Adriana has also held leadership roles at Roger Williams University and was appointed the first woman State Director for the Rhode Island Small Business Development Center where she was recognized nationally for the innovative approach she spearheaded to support minority and women-owned businesses

She currently serves on a number of boards dedicated to improving the economic self-sufficiency of individuals and families. She has received numerous professional honors and recognitions including Rhode Island, PBN 40 Under40, America’ s SBDC National State Star, YWCA Woman of Achievement, Verizon Latinx Champion, 2022

Latinas to follow on LinkedIn; and most recently, Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England-Leading Womenof Distinction.

She is a sought-after speaker, thought partner, and consultant. You’ll find her speaking regularly to various industry groups, or you might catch her LinkedIn Live Podcast aimed at supporting flavorful career professionals, "Keeping it 100-Career Conversations."

Adriana, a first generation-professional, earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from Northeastern University and holds a Master of Arts in Management Communication from Emerson College.

Panelist

ALLISON STRONG

AmericanPopSinger, Songwriter,Actress

Allison comes from a long line of storytellers. Her great-grandfather, Rubén, was a poet for the national Colombian periodical El Colombiano. Her grandparents, Soledad and Carlos, performed Latin folk songs and poetry to a captive audience at the dinner table. At age three, Allison was given a dollar store microphone that echoed and she began to sing. She has never looked back.

Allison can be seen starring alongside Adam Sandler and Chris Rock in the Netflix original feature THE WEEK OF and in the hit Netflix Animated Musical Feature, LEO, alongside Adam Sandler, Bill Burr, Cecily Strong, Jason Alexander, Rob Schneider, and JoKoy.

She recurs as Talia Goldstein in Season Two of the Emmy-winning Amazon Series THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL stars in the independent feature EITHER SIDE OF MIDNIGHT directed by Roger Spottiswoode. Strong’ s television credits also include NBC’ s THE BLACKLIST, Nickelodeon’ s DORA AND FRIENDS & the PBS Kids Animated Series PINKALICIOUS & PETERRIFIC.

An accomplished bilingual voice-over artist with a home booth, Allison has proudly voiced various commercials and audio books in English and Spanish.

Hailed as “captivating” by Ben Brantley of the New York Times, Strong’ s theatre aspirations began at age 9 when she became a member of the Metropolitan Opera Children’ s Chorus and appeared in productions of CARMEN and A Midsummer Night’ s Dream.

As a teenager, Strong made her Broadway debut as an ensemble cast member of BYE BYE BIRDIE. She has since gone on to perform in the Broadway cast of MAMMA MIA, while simultaneously completing her studies as a Musical Theater Major and honors student at Montclair State University. A former pastry arts student, she loves baking pies and experimenting with sourdough. She is also a paddleboarder and indoor rock climber.

Strong is a 2023 New Jersey State Council on the Arts Music Composition Fellow, a recipient of the Garden State Film Festival Rising Star Award & the Images/Imágenes Performing Arts Award from Rutgers University. She is also an alumna of the prestigious Johnny Mercer Songwriter’ s Project and ASCAP’ s Pop Songwriter’ s Project.

In 2014, she released her bilingual debut album MARCH TOWARDS THE SUN and was featured in Diego Luna’ s Fusion Network documentary series BACK HOME, filmed in her family’ s native Colombia.

Allison released her second record, Brontë, in June 2023. Since then, she has had the honor of opening for Grammy & Latin Grammy Winners Jesse & Joy and LeAnn Rimes. She celebrates her Colombian heritage and was born and raised in New Jersey.

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