Latina Trailblazers: Reaching New Heights Together while Advancing HCSB Small Business Communities

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — Counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino — October 8, 2024 — (NOTICIAS NEWSWIRE) — The Hispanic Coalition of Small Businesses (HCSB) on Saturday, October 12, will celebrate 10 Latinas from four Southern California counties who have worked behind-the-scenes – with little or no recognition – in small businesses, academia, or corporate America to achieve their dreams while “reaching back” to help others. The 2024 HCSB Latinícima™ – Rumbo a La Cima dinner awards event will be held at the Riverside Convention Center in Riverside, CA, and will highlight Latinas from Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

“The HCSB Latinícima™ – Rumbo a La Cima award was created to recognize and honor Latinas who are achieving “behind-the-scenes” accomplishments in various industries, either as entrepreneurs, or owners of their own small business; or Latinas who support those businesses,” said Frank Montes, Founding Chair of the HCSB. “Through their extraordinary drive to succeed and help others, these Latinas represent the cultural richness, diversity, and strength of Latin American and Hispanic societies. Recognition for these amazing women is long overdue! Hispanic Heritage Month is a perfect time to honor these Latinícimas™ for the positive impact they have had on our culture, our language, economy, and our communities,” he added.

Attendance at the event is expected to be between 300 to 340 participants, including the honorees and their families; HCSB small business owners; community partners; HCSB Affiliate Members; corporate sponsors; elected officials; and educational partners.

The following links describe the 10 honorees, their accomplishments, and their affiliations:

1. Yolanda Baber, JGM, Inc., Strategic Initiatives/Business Development; President, National Association of Women in Construction, Los Angeles (NAWIC-LA) – https://www.hcsb-us.org/honorees/yolanda-baber 
2. Alva Carrasco, Director, Los Angeles Region, Burns Engineering; Immediate Past President, Latinos in Transit – https://www.hcsb-us.org/honorees/alva-carrasco 
3. Geraldine Larson, Small Business Owner & Insurance Broker; President, Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Orange County – https://www.hcsb-us.org/honorees/geraldine-larson 
4. Dr. Alexandra Lopez-Vera, Ph.D., MPH, Director, Vida Program, Assistant Professor of Medical Education, California School of Science and Medicine – https://www.hcsb-us.org/honorees/dr-alexandra-lopez-vera 
5. Andrea Umali, Civil & Environmental Engineer, Associate Project Manager, McCarthy Building Company, Inc. – https://www.hcsb-us.org/honorees/andrea-umali 
6. Tatiana Pacheco, Founder/President, Andrea’s Healthy Kitchen –  https://www.hcsb-us.org/honorees/tatiana-pacheco 
7. Johanna Clemens, Team Manager, Infrastructure Reliability Section, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California – https://www.hcsb-us.org/honorees/johanna-clemens 
8. Yesenia Pujols, U.S. Army Veteran; Wealth Management Banker, U.S. Bank – https://www.hcsb-us.org/honorees/yesenia-pujols 
9. Crystal Santos Copage, Actress/Stunt Woman/Martial Arts, Mystic Warrior Productions – https://www.hcsb-us.org/honorees/crystal-santos-copage 
10. Dr. Rosibel Ochoa, Ph.D., Professor for Chemical & Environmental Engineering, University of California, Riverside (UCR) – https://www.hcsb-us.org/honorees/dr-rosibel-ochoa 

About Hispanic Coalition of Small Businesses

The Hispanic Coalition of Small Businesses is a nonprofit organization with both 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(6) IRS designations. HCSB comprises an alliance of 19 diverse organizations, representing 4,000+ small businesses that are based primarily in the Southern California region. HCSB is committed to Advancing Small Business Communities… because when small businesses succeed and grow, so do the communities in which their owners, employees and families live and work. HCSB supports its Vision and Mission by championing and empowering coalitions among Hispanic and diverse-owned small businesses, government, and local communities in the region and across the country. HCSB and its supporters provide resources and opportunities to ensure the success of these small businesses. The HCSB leadership team – its Chairman, Board of Directors, Advisory Board, Committee Chairs, and the leaders of the HCSB Affiliate Member organizations – are well-established and experienced members of the community who have been and are at the helm of local, regional, statewide, and national organizations. https://www.hcsb-us.org/

HCSB has eight (8) diverse standing committees that differentiate the organization from other non-profit organizations. All eight committees are led by passionate volunteer business and community leaders. The committees each have adopted their own mission statements, which align with the HCSB Vision & Mission. The committees include: (1) Advancement (Sponsorship & Membership); (2) Arts & Education; (3) Diversity, Equity & Inclusion; (4) Education, Housing, Workforce Development & Infrastructure; (5) Green Energy & Sustainability; (6) Health, Wellness & Fitness; (7) Procurement; (8) Public Affairs (Community, Corporate, Government) – can be viewed at the following link: https://www.hcsb-us.org/sponsorship-and-membership-committee

Vision: To be the leading resource, advocate, and voice of Hispanic and diverse-owned small businesses, representing their interests in the Inland Empire region and throughout the State of California to ensure the success of our communities.

Mission: To champion and empower coalitions among Hispanic and diverse small businesses, government, and local communities in the Inland Empire region, and throughout the State of California, by providing resources and opportunities to ensure their success.