By Tania G. Davila
Photos by Claudia V. Caireli

Marking its 137th stop, on November 14th, LATINA Style, Inc. hosted the 21st Annual LATINA Style Business Series in Atlanta, GA at AT&T Headquarters. The award-winning program for Latina entrepreneurs begun with opening remarks from by Robert E. Bard, President & CEO, LATINA Style, Inc., Norelie García, Director, Corporate Communications–AT&T Latin America – Vrio Corp.; and, Lory Burgos, Senior Consultant, Enterprise Diverse Marketing, Nationwide.

Participants have the opportunity to network, learn about business ownership and partake in career development seminars designed to benefit Latina professionals and entrepreneurs. The Essentials of a Successful Business panel was moderated by Maria Peck, President, SheLends Consulting, Principal Managing Partner, Mark of the Potter. Panelists included: Terri L. Denison, District Director, SBA Georgia District Office; Nakia Melecio, Assistant District Director, SCORE; Sonji Franklin, Certification Services, GMSDC Inc.; Janyra Perez Blanco, Chief Operating Officer, Fulcro Insurance, and Liccette Shumaker, C&L Stakeholder Liaison, Internal Revenue Service.

Presented by Steven R. Eiger, Director, Channel Marketing, AT&T Business Marketing, EVP Communications, HACEMOS National, conducted an introduction to AT&T Business where he shared the importance of staying connected, protected and mobilized. The Successful Marketing Strategies: Promote Your Business and Yourself panel was moderated by Daniela Demaria, SVP & Managing Director, Private Bank Strategy and Solutions, Third Bank. Speakers included: Andrea Rivera, Hispanic Marketing Expert, Digital Marketing Consultant, H3 Media, Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Steven R. Eiger; María Daniela Vetencourt, President, SHPE Atlanta, and Katherine Morales, Founder & President, Inflection Point Communications.

Presented by Nationwide the Fireside Chat: For Your Leadership Side was conducted by Lory Burgos and Nury Crawford, CEO & Founder, 1010 Publishing; Director, Academic Support, Gwinnett County Public Schools – In addition attendees experienced relaxation tips during the Wellness Breaks brought by Nationwide. The Cyber Security session was conducted by Tania Allen, CEO, ItGresa Consulting Group, Inc, ItGresa Technologies Panama, S.A, and Brian “Keith” Thomas, Cyber Security, AT&T. Both shared insights on how to protect your business and yourself. To learn more visit: https://www.att.com/ features/security-apps.html The Entrepreneurs Spotlight panel was moderated by Raquel Lavender, Associate Broker/REALTOR, Keller Williams Realty, President, NAHREP. Panelists included: Veronica Maldonado-Torres, Founder & CEO, VMT Consulting, Founder & Creator, Driven to Thrive; Keren Granados, MBA, Founder, BIZ Mujer, and Hilda Abbott, Chief Operation Officer, WePartner Management, LLC – They shared their journeys and lessons learned, insights gained through their experiences, challenges encountered, and ways to overcome these.

During the Awards luncheon, Emmy award-winning Journalist, Judith Martinez-Sadri, Director of Sales & Marketing, Mundo Hispanico, served as the Mistress of Ceremonies. The luncheon ceremony commenced with thank you remarks from Robert E. Bard, and Lu Yarbrough III, AVP, Diverse & Cause Marketing, Nationwide. Dr. Eloisa Klementich, CEcD, President & CEO, Invest Atlanta, provided the keynote message. Previously, Eloisa served as managing director of business development at Invest Atlanta. In this position, she worked to attract new businesses and create initiatives that promoted job growth in Atlanta.

Prior to Invest Atlanta, Eloisa served as special assistant for economic development at the U.S. Economic Development Administration in the Office of the Secretary. Abbott was recognized as the LATINA Style Entrepreneur of the Year, introduced and welcomed on stage by Santiago Marquez, President & CEO, Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Yvette Moise, President, Georgia Latino Film Alliance and Film Festival was recognized with the LATINA Style Leadership of the Year award introduced and welcome on stage by Jose Marquez, CEO & President, LISTA, Tech Latino; and Veronica Moreno, President & Founder, Ole Mexican Foods, Inc., was honored with the LATINA Style Advocate of the Year award, for their dedicated community service, leadership, and vision at the LATINA Style Business Series in Atlanta.

“The LATINA Style Business Series is so crucial to bringing the community’s Latina professionals together to learn and grow,” states Abbott. “So often Latina business owners are not given the platform they deserve, but this business series gives these powerhouse women the unparalleled opportunity to network and make connections with other amazing Latina entrepreneurs so that we all have the opportunity to support one another as we all advance in the business world. I am beyond grateful to be recognized as the “Entrepreneur of the Year” by LATINA Style. My career has been a rewarding journey with both challenges and victories, and it’s truly humbling to be recognized for this achievement.”

Thank you Sponsors and Partners: Title Sponsor: Nationwide. Official Airline: American Airlines. Host Sponsor: AT&T. Community Partners: Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Metro-Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, Hispanic Corporate Council of Atlanta, ALPFA Atlanta, Atlanta Women’s Network, Tech Latino, LISTA, Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council, GALEO, Latino Student Services and Outreach (LASSO) | Georgia State University, Latin American Association, BIZMujer, PROSPANICA, SHPE, SCORE, SBA, and IRS.