The LATINA Style Business Series on July 25th was a resounding success on a number of fronts.First,attendance was at its highest level ever with nearly 400 Latina entrepreneurs present.Second,the location – at New York City ’s Crowne Plaza Hotel – was fabulous..Finally,the speakers at the event were inspiring and informative. 

The Honorable Carol Robles-Roman, New York City’s deputy mayor for legal affairs, gave the welcoming remarks, and presentations were given by representatives from Citibank, The Principal Financial Group, Continental Airlines, New York Life, State Farm Insurance, the U.S. Department of Energy, the General Services Administration, the United States Postal Service, AT&T, Aetna, and Cisco Systems, among others. 

During the luncheon, which was sponsored by American Airlines, welcoming remarks were made by Hector Barreto, the administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration. Audrey Puente, NBC Meteorologist for Channel 4, was the Mistress of Ceremonies. 

The high point of the luncheon was the keynote address, given by Millie Hernandez-Becker. She shared her story as a successful Latina entrepreneur in the aviation industry. 
As the CEO of JetEquity Travel, she admits she doesn’t do it alone. “You need support. I have an incredible support group with my family. If you don’t have that support system, you can’t do this.” 

In addition to her work at JetEquity, Hernandez-Becker also works as a mentor for young Latinas who are entering the business world. She says today’s Latina leaders are “polished and poised for leadership. They have a very clear mission.” 

This kind of attitude made Hernandez-Becker the perfect role model – not only for Latinas at the New York Business Series – but for aspiring Latina entrepreneurs everywhere. 

LATINA Style is grateful to our sponsors, including all of the event’s presenters (listed above) as well as Sodexho. The product sponsors of the event were The New York Times and Goya Foods. Partner organizations were 100 Hispanic Women, Inc., Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting, Business Outreach Center Network, Inc., Committee for Hispanic Children and Families, Empire State Development Corporation, Hispanics in Information Technology & Telecommunications, Manhattan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, National Association for Female Executives, NAWBO-NYC, New York Women’s Chamber of Commerce, SHARE, Women’s Enterprise Development Center, and Women’s Venture Fund. Media partners were iHispano and Urban Latino Television.