Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, a powerful leader of Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel, pleaded not guilty Friday to U.S. narcotics trafficking charges in a case accusing him of engaging in murder plots, ordering torture and channeling tons of drugs into the United States. Participating in a court hearing through a Spanish-language interpreter, Zambada gave yes-or-no answers to a […]

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The annual Latin Impact Awards presented by Bethpage Federal Credit Union celebrated the achievements and impactful work of Latin American community members on Thursday, Sept. 12th.

The event, held at Terrace On The Park in Corona, Queens saw dozens of honorees strut and dance their way down the red carpet to accept awards in recognition of their outstanding contributions to their local communities. 

The diverse range of honorees included politicians, community leaders, non-profit workers, medical professionals and business leaders from all sectors who have all made positive contributions to their local communities. The annual Latin Impact Awards is a way of saying thank you to each nominee for making an impact on other people’s lives on a daily basis. 

The sponsors’ support helped make this prestigious gala possible. This year’s Latin Impact Awards is presented by Bethpage Federal Credit Union and also sponsored by TD Bank, Verra Mobility, NYC Health + Hospitals, Woodhull, Episcopal Health Services, Council of School Supervisors & Administrators, MetroPlus Health, Forest Hills Financial Group, NYC Health + Hospitals, Elmhurst, St. Michael’s Cemetery, LMN Printing, and Ms Jessie’s. 

The night began with a VIP Hour for honorees followed by a cocktail hour and gourmet dinner. 

Award-winning journalist Jeanine Ramirez presented the awards ceremony, with Pure Samba providing entertainment in the form of an extravagant Brazilian carnival experience. 

Honorees had the chance to network with each other throughout the evening, forging invaluable connections that will surely help them in their efforts to aid their local communities. 

Robert Saurez, Assistant Vice President of Community Development at Bethpage Federal Credit Union and an honoree on the evening, said the Latin Impact Awards perfectly aligned with the company’s ethos. 

“We’re giving back to the community tonight and highlighting so many great industries and highlighting individuals who are making an impact,” Saurez said. “Our philosophy at Bethpage is ‘people helping people’. We care about what you care about.” 

Saurez said he was honored to be included among the honorees for 2024 and added that the Latin Impact Awards can help inspire the next generation of Latin Americans to even greater heights. 

“It really makes an impact. It’s showing the future generations of leaders the people they can aspire to be in the future.” 

Victor Alvarez, a Business Relationship Manager at TD Bank, addressed the honorees during the VIP Hour and said he was proud to support the annual event. 

“Congratulations to all of tonight’s honorees, representing a wide range of businesses and organizations,” Alvarez said during the VIP Hour. “TD Bank is proud to support this wonderful event and the vital impact of the Latino community.” 

Mabel Muñiz-Sarduy, Political & External Affairs Director at the Council of Supervisors & Administrators, received the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her 37 years of service in New York’s education system. 

Muñiz-Sarduy dedicated the award to all Latinos of Puerto Rican descent living in the US and said she was especially proud to receive the award because it honors her parents’ sacrifice when they moved from Puerto Rico to the US. 

“I’m so proud because they came young and they struggled,” Muñiz-Sarduy said. “For me, this impact award provides a representation of all puertorriqueños, including all puertorriqueños from the Council of Supervisors & Administrators.” 

Nathalie Tejada, Founder & Co-Executive Director of the non-profit NYC Celebrates Women, received the TD Bank Outstanding Entrepreneur Award on the evening in acknowledgment of the work NYC Celebrates Women has done to support women of color over the past five years. 

Tejada said Thursday’s Latin Impact Awards helps to elevate the Latino community and celebrate the work of dozens of people who have gone above and beyond to aid their local communities. 

“We are coming together as a powerful community,” Tejada said. “Tonight’s event celebrates the honorees who are doing very powerful and meaningful work, elevating their community, elevating not just the Latino community, but New York City as a whole.” 

Elizabeth Velez, President of Velez Construction, was also honored on the evening and proudly spoke of the huge number of women included among the honorees. Velez also spoke about competing in a traditionally male-dominated industry and paid tribute to the Latino women who have blazed a trail for women today. 

“I follow in the footsteps of those who came before me,” Velez said, paying particular tribute to her grandmother. 

Velez said the event also showcased the rich and diverse cultural heritage of the Latin-American community in New York. 

“We’re not a monolith,” Velez said. “We started the night with a beautiful array of flags that were from so many different countries all throughout South and Central America. It’s amazing to see that blending together.” 

Honorees danced their way down the red carpet when their name was called, with each honoree selecting a song of their choice. The diverse range of songs showcased a vibrant mix of music styles and cultures, while many honorees also accepted their awards alongside their families. 

Velez said the presence of so many families on Thursday night was testimony to the core values of so many members of the Latin American community in the US. 

“There are so many young children and grandparents here tonight. My mother is here tonight and I’m thrilled. That’s the importance in our culture of embracing and celebrating all together.” 

Fidel Malena was also honored on Thursday in recognition of his work as Bronx Regional Representative at the Office of Gov. Kathy Hochul and said the event was an ideal opportunity to forge lasting connections with fellow members of the Latino community. 

“The timing couldn’t be more perfect. We have so many challenges ahead of us and yet we’re optimistic because we’re united in having people from different sectors across different walks of life tackling the most pressing issues that New Yorkers face,” Malena said. 

“I’m so incredibly honored to be here, but at the same time, this event is impactful and we’re actually connecting, networking and figuring out ways to solve everyday problems like education and healthcare.” 

Dr. Javier Andrade, Chief of Surgery and Perioperative Services at NYC Health + Hospitals, Woodhull, said he was proud to receive an award recognizing his work helping Latino patients for the past 15 years. 

“Hispanic communities represent a large minority within the US and it’s important to highlight all the success stories and all the different spectrums of society, not only healthcare, but business, construction, engineering and all the different specialties and different kind of work that we do.” Andrade said. 

The 2024 honorees are: 

Lifetime Award Honoree:

Mabel Muñiz-Sarduy – Council of Supervisors & Administrators (Political & External Affairs Director)

TD Bank Outstanding Entrepreneur Award:

Nathalie Tejada – NYC Celebrates Women (Founder & Co-Executive Director)

Karen Abreu-Rosano – SCO Family of Services (Chief Program Officer)

Vivi Acosta – Greater Jamaica Development Corporation (Director of Business Services Group & Events)

Dr. Javier Andrade – NYC Health + Hospitals, Woodhull (Chief of Surgery and Perioperative Services)

Melissa Aviles-Ramos – NYC Public Schools (Deputy Chancellor of Family & Community Engagement and External Affairs)

Roxana Barsalona – Consolidated Edison Co. of New York, Inc. (Senior Attorney and Chair of DEI Council, Associate Counsel)

Jessica Cabrera – CUNY Bronx Community College (ASAP Associate Director and Adjunct Professor for Communication Arts & Sciences)

Nathaly Cabrera – Maimonides Health (Hispanic Community Advocate)

Dr. Marlene Camacho-Rivera – SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University (Assistant Dean for Student Affairs)

Noreen Carro – LMN Printing of NY, Inc (President)

Nicholas Cruz – United Federation of Teachers (Director of Community & Parent Outreach)

Veronica Cruz – New York Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital (ASR – Patient Access Representative)

Nancy Conde, MPA – Office of U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (Senior Advisor and Director of Intergovernmental Affairs)

Fernando Delgado – Lehman College (President)

Jennie Encalada-Malinowski – Laborers Local 1010 LECET (Legislative & Strategic Partnerships Coordinator)

Ingris German – Ponce Bank (Assistant Vice President – Contact Center Manager)

Cesar Gonzalez – St. Michael’s Cemetery (Memorial Sales Counselor)

Andrea Jerves – HANAC, Inc. (Director of Programming and Development)

Yrani Luna – Episcopal Health Services Inc. (Junior Buyer)

Fidel Malena – Office of Gov. Kathy Hochul (Bronx Regional Representative)

Cindy Matos – TD Bank (Vice President Relationship Manager)

Andrea Maldonado Ortega – NYC Health + Hospitals, Elmhurst (Manager Coordinator)

Belinda Olivares – Verra Mobility (Vice President Global Operations | Service Enablement)

Karines Reyes R.N. – Assembly Member

Hector M. Rivera – Forest Hills Financial Group (Director of Investments)

Elena Rivera-Cheek, MBA – C&A Digital (Founder & Chief Executive Officer)

Madeline Rivera – MetroPlus Health (Senior Director of Integrated Care Management)

Robert Suarez – Bethpage Federal Credit Union (AVP of Community Development)

Carrie Torres – Dormitory Authority of New York State (Dormitory Authority of New York State)

Elizabeth Vargas – MetroPlus Health (Manager of Provider Relations)

Yalitza Vasquez – Icahn Charter School Network (Deputy Superintendent)

Elizabeth Velez – Velez Organization (President)

Dorella Walters – God’s Love We Deliver (Chief Business Development Officer)

Every year, Latin Impact, through the Impact Awards gala, raises funds for a local not-for-profit organization. This year, the paper is fundraising for Latin Women in Action, Inc., a non-profit dedicated to providing support and essential service to women from all backgrounds. Approximately 100% of the raffle proceeds Thursday night will be donated to the non-profit. 

If you would like to learn more about participating in the Latin Impact Awards next year or any of Schneps Media’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion event series, please contact Amanda Tarley, Director – Equity, Diversity and Inclusions Events Programs, by calling 718-249-9640, or via email at  atarley@schnepsmedia.com.