Annual Gala Honors Outstanding Achievements by Latin Americans at Bethpage Federal Credit Union’s Latin Impact Awards

On Thursday, September 12, Bethpage Federal Credit Union held its annual Latin Impact Awards, recognizing the achievements and valuable work of members of the Latin American community.

During the event, held at Terrace On The Park in Corona, Queens, dozens of honorees paraded and danced across the red carpet to receive awards for their outstanding contributions to their local communities.

The diversity of honorees included politicians, community leaders, nonprofit workers, healthcare workers, and business leaders from all sectors who have made positive contributions to their communities. The annual Latin Impact Awards are a way to thank each nominee for making an impact on the lives of others on a daily basis.

Sponsorship support helped make this prestigious event possible. This year’s Latin Impact Awards are presented by Bethpage Federal Credit Union, and are 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 evening began with a VIP hour for distinguished guests, followed by a cocktail hour and a gourmet dinner.

The awards ceremony was hosted by award-winning journalist Jeanine Ramirez, with Pure Samba providing entertainment in the form of an extravagant Brazilian Carnival.

The winners had the opportunity to network with each other throughout the evening, which allowed them to make valuable connections that will certainly help them in their activities for the benefit of their local communities.

Robert Suarez, assistant vice president of community development at Bethpage Federal Credit Union and one of the evening’s honorees, said the Latin Impact Awards fit perfectly with the company’s ethos.

“Today, we give back to the community and highlight so many great industries and individuals who are making an impact,” Suarez said. “Our philosophy at Bethpage is ‘people helping people.’ We care about what matters to you.”

Suarez said he was honored to be among the 2024 honorees, adding that the Latin Impact Awards can help inspire the next generation of Latinos to achieve even greater success.

“It’s really impressive. It shows future generations of leaders what kind of people they can aspire to be in the future.”

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

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

Mabel Muñiz-Sarduy, director of policy and external affairs for the Board of Overseers and Administrators, received a lifetime achievement award in recognition of her 37 years of service to the New York City education system.

Muñiz-Sarduy dedicated the award to all Latinos of Puerto Rican descent living in the U.S. She added that she was especially proud to receive the award because it honors the sacrifices made by her parents who moved from Puerto Rico to the U.S.

“I’m so proud because they came young and fought,” Muñiz-Sarduy said. “For me, this impact award represents all puertorriqueños, including all the puertorriqueños on the Board of Overseers and Administrators.”

Nathalie Tejada, founder and co-executive director of the nonprofit NYC Celebrates Women, received the TD Bank Outstanding Entrepreneur Award this evening in recognition of NYC Celebrates Women’s work to support women of color over the past five years.

Tejada said Thursday’s Latin Impact Awards ceremony aims to raise the profile of the Latino community and recognize the work of dozens of people who have gone above and beyond to help their local communities.

“We come together as a powerful community,” Tejada said. “Today’s event celebrates those honored who are doing very powerful and meaningful work, lifting up their community, lifting up not only the Latino community, but New York City as a whole.”

Elizabeth Velez, president of Velez Construction, was also honored on the night and spoke proudly of the overwhelming number of women who were honored. Velez also spoke about competing in a traditionally male-dominated industry and paid tribute to Latina women who have paved the way for today’s women.

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

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

“We are not a monolith,” Velez said. “We started the evening with a beautiful array of flags from so many different countries across South and Central America. It’s amazing to see how it all comes together.”

The honorees danced on the red carpet as their names were called, each selecting a song of their own choosing. The variety of songs presented a vibrant mix of musical styles and cultures, and many of the honorees accepted their awards with their families.

Velez said the presence of so many families Thursday night was a testament to the core values ​​that guide many members of the Latino community in the U.S.

“There are so many little kids and grandparents here tonight. My mom is here tonight and I’m excited. That’s what it means in our culture to welcome and celebrate everything together.”

Fidel Malena was also honored Thursday in recognition of his work as the Bronx regional representative for Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office and said the event was an ideal opportunity to forge lasting connections with others in the Latino community.

“The timing couldn’t be more perfect. We face so many challenges, yet we are optimistic because we are united in the fact that people from different sectors and different backgrounds are addressing the most pressing issues facing New Yorkers,” Malena said.

“I’m incredibly honored to be here, but at the same time, this event has such a huge impact because we’re really coming together, making connections, and finding 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 the award recognizing his work on behalf of Latino patients over the past 15 years.

“Hispanic communities are a large minority in the U.S., and it’s important to highlight all the success stories and all the different spectrums of society, not just in healthcare, but in business, construction, engineering and all the different specialties and types of work that we do,” Andrade said.

The winners in 2024 are:

Lifetime Achievement Award Winner:

Mabel Muñiz-Sarduy – Board of Supervisors and Administrators (Director of Political and External Affairs)

TD Bank Outstanding Entrepreneur Award:

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

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

Vivi Acosta – Greater Jamaica Development Corporation (Business Services and Events Director)

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

Melissa Aviles-Ramos – New York Public Schools (Associate Vice Chancellor for Family and Community Engagement and External Affairs)

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

Jessica Cabrera – CUNY Bronx Community College (Deputy Director of ASAP and Associate Professor of Artistic Communication and Science)

Nathaly Cabrera – Maimonides Health (Hispanic Community Advocate)

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

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

Nicholas Cruz – United Federation of Teachers (Director of Community and Parent Relations)

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 and Strategic Partnerships Coordinator)

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

Cesar Gonzalez – St. Michael’s Cemetery (Souvenir Sales Advisor)

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

Moon of Yrani – Episcopal Health Services Inc. (Junior Purchaser)

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

Cindy Matos – TD Bank (VP Relationships)

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

Belinda Olivares – Verra Mobility (VP Global Operations | Service Implementation)

Karines Reyes nurse – Member of the Assembly

Hector M. Rivera – Forest Hills Financial Group (Chief Investment Officer)

Elena Rivera-Cheek, MBA – C&A Digital (Founder & CEO)

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

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

Carrie Torres – Dormitory Authority of New York State

Elizabeth Vargas – MetroPlus Health (Supplier Relations Manager)

Yalitza Vasquez – Icahn Charter School Network (Assistant Director)

Elizabeth Velez – Velez Organization (President)

Dorella Walters – The Love of God We Pass On (Business Development Director)

Each year, Latin Impact raises money for a local nonprofit through its Impact Awards Gala. This year, the newspaper is raising money for Latin Women in Action, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing support and essential services to women of all backgrounds. Approximately 100 percent of the proceeds from Thursday night’s drawing will go to the nonprofit.

If you would like to learn more about participating in next year’s Latin Impact Awards or any of Schneps Media’s equity, diversity and inclusion events, please contact Amanda Tarley, Director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Event Programs, at 718-249-9640 or email: [email protected].