Powerful Latinas Awards 2021

Celebrated the achievements of outstanding women

For the fifth consecutive year, Hispanic Media honors the careers of Latinas with the Powerful Latinas Awards, in recognition of the work of each of the honorees, who have exalted Latino values and have become leaders and role models.

The event was held on Friday, August 27, at El Concilio. Lissy G., influencer, entrepreneur and member of Hispanic Media’s media advisory board, hosted the awards ceremony.

During the event, Mireya Lumbreras of Goya Foods intervened, representing Rafael Toro, director of Public Relations of this food company with 85 years of experience; as well as Elizabeth Ayala, executive vice president of Hispanic Community Counseling Services (HCCS) and and Ana Omana, representing David Oh,  Philadelphia Councilman At-Large, said important words of support and congratulations to each winner.

Each award-winner thanked with heartfelt words the prize that was conferred on her. While the official ambassadress of the Powerful Latinas Awards 2021, Brunilda Sánchez, Jazmin DeJesus and Damaris Feliciano, were in charge of accompanying and congratulating them on stage.

Latinas in Philadelphia have an unconditional ally with Hispanic Media and its product Latinas Lifestyle, which every year celebrates this wonderful event that enhances ties in the community and among entrepreneurs, and also becomes a window for personal and professional growth.

Ricardo Hurtado, CEO of Hispanic Media, delivered the closing speech, congratulating the winners of the Powerful Latinas Awards 2021 and thanking the attendees of a new and successful edition of this award.

In this edition, five categories were recognized after a nomination and selection process carried out by the ambassadress of Latinas Lifestyle Fair 2021 and the Powerful Latinas Awards 2021, who also participated in the gala.

Our award winners!

Businesswoman

  • Mercy Mosquera, Managing Director of Tierra Colombiana Restaurant & Nightclub and Mixto Restaurant.
    She has been recognized and awarded for being an example as a leader and entrepreneur of Ecuadorian origin. She was part of the board of directors of the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. She is an advocate of higher education and sponsors many school events, as she believes that education from elementary school is the basis for the future of all children.
  • Patricia Toro. Entrepreneur y co-owner de El Balcocito.

    This country has given her the opportunity to work in the health area, a stage she has already completed. Now she is living the wonderful experience of starting her own business, as she founded El Balconcito restaurant with her family. “There are no excuses for not achieving your goals; those who work hard will be rewarded in the end,” said this Latina who came to the United States 22 years ago.

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Influencer

  • Llili Daliessio. Podcaster, President, Founder & Creative Director at Lili Daliessio Design.
    Lili Daliessio’s outstanding trajectory on Facebook Live with her sections “Heroínas/Héroes Por Conocer” and “Contagiando Amor”, places her among the favorites of Latinas on this social media platform. She is also the founder of Lili Daliessio’s educational, media and marketing agency A&T Consulting Services. This proud Colombian-American is also a psychologist.
  • Harianned Chaurel. Hostess of @venezolanadasonline, Journalist, artistic manager, audiovisual and event producer.
    Twenty years of experience as a journalist show that Harianned Chaurel was born to be a social communicator. She knew this since she was a child, when she was still living in her beloved Venezuela. She has cultivated a solid career in the cultural field, as a press coordinator, artistic manager, event and audiovisual producer. After coming to the U.S. she found the opportunity to participate in reinforcing the Venezuelan and Latino community in Philadelphia.

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Caregivers

  • Melissa Pluguez. DNP, APRN, Co-Medical Director Unidos Contra Covid Phl.
    When the public’s health is your vocation, studies never cease and opportunities to help vulnerable communities appear everywhere. Such has been Dr. Melissa Pluguez’s experience during 21 years of practice in clinical settings. She is founder and co-director of Medicos Unidos- Contra Covid, a vaccine clinic for underserved Latinx populations in and around Philadelphia.
  • Marybell Rodríguez. MSN, CRNP, AGACNP-BC, FNP-BC, Nurse Practitioner.
    The conviction to support her community and be involved in multiple organizations is a work that she has maintained during her 15-year career as a dual board-certified nurse practitioner and a solid experience in areas such as vascular surgery, interventional cardiology, endovascular medicine and aesthetics. In addition, she holds a Master of Science in Family Nurse Practitioner and a Master of Science in Acute Care.

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Educator

  • Diana García. M.Ed., Educational Administration Certificate with 26 years of experience.
    She is currently Principal of Frances E. Willard Elementary School in the Kensington section. “I am a product of the School District of Philadelphia: Potter Thomas Elementary School, Conwell Middle Magnet, Stetson Junior High School and Mastbaum A.V.T.S. – class of 1989,” said proudly this exemplary teacher of Dominican-American parents.
  • Sandra González. Doctorate in Education from Holy Family University.She was born in Trenton, New Jersey, and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She comes from a humble Puerto Rican home. She holds a Master’s Degree from Gwynedd Mercy University in Educational Administration (2008). Last May, she earned a Doctorate in Education from Holy Family University. She was part of the planning team of the 2nd Antonia Pantoja Charter School, where she also served as assistant principal (2008 – 2010) and later as Principal.

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Latinas on the Move

  • Zeli Colón-Pennock. Latino Outreach en Philadelphia Department of Public Health.
    She serves as the Outreach Coordinator for the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, where she is responsible for keeping the Hispanic community informed on COVID-19 issues, as well as translating into Spanish for the Mayor of Philadelphia and the Commissioner of Health. She earned a B.A. in Communications from Pegano State University and a B.A. in Business Administration from Eastern University.
  • Amy Eusebio. Executive Director, Office of Immigrant Affairs, City of Philadelphia.
    Her experience includes supporting adults with HIV/AIDS and coordinating programs to support victims of crime, including domestic violence. She also holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania. She has held various positions within the Philadelphia City government. In 2019, she was promoted by Mayor Jim Kenney to serve as Executive Director in the City’s Office of Immigrant Affairs.

Powerful Latinas Awards and Latinas Lifestyle Fair were made possible through the sponsorship of Goya Foods, Telemundo, RDS Home Care, Allstate, Hispanic Community Counseling Services and Aurora Home Care.

Por: Daniela Chirinos Arrieta