Learn more about the feature guests of the 2015 Latina Trailblazers Networking Soiree being held Thursday, July 23 at Shay Chicago.

Lt. Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti, Lieutenant Governor of Illinois

8602418252?profile=originalLieutenant Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti was sworn in as Illinois’ 47th Lieutenant Governor on January 12, 2015. She is currently the highest ranking Latina in the history of the state of Illinois. She is a working mother of three, an attorney, an adjunct professor of law and a former Wheaton City Councilwoman. Evelyn is committed to fighting for all Illinois residents. She will apply the same passion to her new role that has propelled her throughout her life, from humble beginnings in Hialeah, Fla. to becoming Illinois’ first Latina Lieutenant Governor.

Nicole Suárez, Anchor, Hoy Noticias Mundo Fox 13

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Nicole Suárez is a Chicago native of Colombian roots who holds a deep commitment to representing the voices and lived experiences of her fellow Latinos in the United States. Nicole first gained international recognition in the Spanish-language market through her participation in Univision's highly-rated reality program, Nuestra Belleza Latina. During this competition, she won all of the journalism-related challenges and in the process discovered her love for reporting the news.

Upon taking third place in the competition and returning to Chicago, Nicole resumed her studies at DePaul University in the fields of Journalism and Public Relations/Advertising. She also became the face of Univision's daily Despierta Chicago morning segment Although she was part of an Emmy-nominated project at Univision, her primary passion for news led to her current position as anchor for Hoy Noticias Mundo Fox 13, where she hopes to continue to serve and empower Chicago's Latino community.

Susana Meza, V.P. of Marketing, Wintrust Bank

8602418460?profile=originalSusana Meza is Vice President of Marketing for Wintrust. She started with Wintrust in 2002 in the role of marketing for several banks under the Wintrust Community Bank umbrella. Before Wintrust she was at Citigate, an ad agency traded under the Incepta name, and she was part of the business development team responsible for responding to RFP’s and attracting new clients. Being born and raised in Chicago has helped her connect with many players in her primary role of Outreach for Wintrust. She serves as the bridge between Wintrust and any nonprofit, chambers of commerce and industry-specific organizations in the Chicagoland footprint and Wisconsin. She interacts daily with a variety of bankers who help meet the mission of being Chicago’s Bank. Susana did a double major at DePaul, in the College of Communication with a focus on Journalism and in the College of Commerce with a focus on Marketing. She currently resides in the Irving Park neighborhood in Chicago with her Husband and her red nose pit-bull.

Trina Fresco, Vice President, U.S. Community Alliances, Events and Engagement, Nielsen

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Trina Fresco is the Vice President of U.S. Community Alliances, Events and Engagement for Nielsen. In her role she leads the collaboration with multicultural organizations across the country to increase Nielsen’s brand awareness with diverse consumers and improve the overall probability of multicultural involvement to reach our commitment of ensuring diversity in measurement. Trina also represents Nielsen as a Thought Leader. She also serves as the Women in Nielsen (WIN) Midwest co-chair of the community relations subcommittee. She offers large-enterprise expertise through her tenure as vice president of operations for an IT firm for six years, plus national account manager and paint chemist within the chemical industry for nearly a decade.
Trina is passionate about her community and is an active board member of the Chicago Foundation for Women, and serves on a number of additional boards and committees. Most importantly, Trina is the mother of two angels, Sofia and Giana, and a little king, Lorenzo. Having had three children under three at one point in her life, she and her husband, George, try to keep things calm in the South Loop of Chicago.

Laura Sanchez, CEO, SWATware LLC.

8602407892?profile=originalLaura Sanchez is the founder and CEO of SWATware LLC, a full-service Information Technology (IT) firm that delivers comprehensive IT and Web solutions, with a focus in Cyber Security. Laura’s intent when founding SWATware was to create a one-stop IT consulting firm that develops and executes customized solutions for small and medium-sized businesses. Her goal is for SWATware to become an integral partner for each client with the mantra “Big enough to provide all of your solutions and small enough to care for all of your concerns.”
Laura received her Master’s degree in Innovation and Business Development from the Tec de Monterrey, one of the top universities in Mexico. She graduated Summa Cum Laude when receiving her undergraduate degree in International Business and Marketing. In 2013, Laura was awarded the Nueva Latina Estrella Award in the Technology category by Verizon, and was an honorable mention recipient for the 2013 Enterprising Women of the Year Awards by Enterprising Women Magazine that same year. These awards are meant to honor women business owners who have demonstrated high potential-growth and stand out as leaders in their communities.

Arabel Alva Rosales, President and CEO, AAR & Associates / Co-Founder and Producer, LATINO FASHION WEEK CHICAGO

8602414486?profile=originalArabel Alva Rosales is President and CEO of AAR & Assocs., Ltd., a corporation with more than a decade under its belt. We're a full technology firm specializing in developing technology infrastructure, proprietary software installation and management. Arabel is also Co-Founder and Principal of Latino Fashion Week, the only full week and tour dedicated to Latino Fashion in the country. “This endeavor has allowed me to use my business acumen, my wide variety of contacts, and my creative side to its fullest,” says Arabel. Currently, I hold the position as the Chairperson of the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (IHCC) and am a board member of Women's Business Development Center (WBDC).

Arabel Alva Rosales is an entrepreneur that has been described in Chicago Magazine as a “Renaissance Woman” because of her ability to discuss concerns on Wall Street, global issues and what is happening in our communities. She is also recognized for having a critical eye for art and fashion. Arabel has been honored with over 30 national and local awards and has appeared often in the media, including front cover of various Magazines. Some areas where she has been featured include Latina Style Magazine, Dinero Magazine, Hoy Newspaper, the August, 2004 issue of Chicago Magazine “Latina Style”, as well as Chicago Tribune’s “Handling the Summer with Poise”, and the front cover of Today’s Chicago Woman Magazine’s “Woman’s Hall of Fame” edition. She has also appeared on 60 minutes, CNN, and U.S.A. Today.

She holds an undergraduate degree from Mundelein at Loyola University in Liberal Arts with a major in Business Administration. In May of 2001, she obtained her J.D. from DePaul College of Law, where she has been a recipient of the law school's leadership scholarship award and Mayor Daley's Leadership scholarship. Additionally, she is alumni of Leadership Greater Chicago and completed an Executive Program at Tuck Business School at Dartmouth.

Tonantzin Libertad Carmona, Deputy Policy Director and director of the Office of New Americans, Chicago Mayor’s Office / 2015 Crain’s Chicago Business 20 in their 20’s 


8602418694?profile=originalTonantzin Carmona has spent the last year and half in the Emanuel Administration working on a wide range of policy issues –including immigrant integration policies, as well as sustainability, housing, public health, and small business initiatives—and has played a leading role in the City-County Collaboration helping to streamline services, improve residents’ interactions with government, save taxpayer dollars and increase revenue.

Prior to her work at the Mayor’s Office, she worked with Crimson Leadership Group to create opportunities for underserved communities, and immigrant students and families in Illinois high schools to engage with the college admissions process and leadership development. She also worked at the NorthShore University HealthSystem Research Institute in a collaborative study between heath scientists and community partners to investigate disparities in maternal and child health among low-income, ethnic-minority and immigrant families.

In 2015, Tonantzin is recognized as a Chicagoan making her mark in the business world by being featured as one of Crain’s Chicago Business list of 20 in their 20’s : http://www.chicagobusiness.com/section/20s-2015?recipient=Carmona

Tonantzin earned her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Northwestern University, and she was born and raised in the Little Village/La Villita community.

Time is running out to register. Don't miss the signature summer networking event for Chicago's Latino professional community in celebration of Latina Trailblazers at one of River North's most exclusive social destinations... Shay Chicago. 

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