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LATINO Magazine presented its first annual BRAVA Awards in Chicago at the University Club, overlooking Lake Michigan. “The BRAVA Awards celebrate Latina mentorship,” said LATINO Publisher Alfredo Estrada. “We want to recognize both mentors and mentees at America’s top companies.” After welcoming guests at the luncheon, Estrada introduced keynote speaker Anna Valencia, City Clerk, whose office serves 1.2 million Chicagoans and generates more than $130 million annually.

The first company recognized was United Airlines, whose CEO Oscar Munoz is one of the few Latino CEOs in the Fortune 500. Chief Diversity Officer Gregory Jones presented the award to Vania Wit, Vice President and Deputy General Counsel in United’s legal department.  A daughter of Bolivian immigrants, the Harvard Law graduate said: “United is a very supportive environment. As a Latina, I feel that I have been fortunate to have a company that really takes diversity and inclusion to heart.”

Representing CIGNA was Katie McDonald. The recipient of the BRAVA award was Yesi Morillo-Gual, but accepting on her behalf was entrepreneur Elizabeth Colon, CEO of Metaphrasis Language and Cultural Solutions. The BRAVA Awards also recognize mentorship in the nonprofit area, and next to speak was Patricia Mota, CEO of the Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement (HACE), an organization dedicated to the employment, development, and advancement of Latino professionals. She presented the award to Vanessa Valentin, who began her career at HACE.

LATINO presented the final award to Anne Alonzo, the new President and CEO of the American Egg Board. Anne is a recognized leader both in the private and public sectors, not just at Kraft Foods but also the Department of Commerce, EPA, and the Department of Agriculture. “I’m honored to help lead this organization into its next 40 years of success,” she said.

Many thanks to our partners United Airlines and CIGNA; HACE and the American Egg Board; and all who participated in our 2017 BRAVA Awards.
¡Gracias!