SACHCC
 2019 Latina Estrella Award winners Daisy Gonzales , deputy chancellor of California Community Colleges ; and Alice Perez , external affairs manager of AT & T .
 PHOTO BY TIA GEMMELL
 Reaching for the Stars
 Latina Estrella Awards honor exceptional women in business by Lilly Cortés Wyatt
 Since 2015 , the Sacramento Hispanic
 Chamber of Commerce has been recognizing Latina leaders in the Greater Sacramento region with their annual Latina Estrella Awards . The awards celebrate and honor women who have made significant and positive contributions to the community as leaders and advocates for Hispanicowned businesses .
 “ As Latinas , we are the driving force for the growth of our households , local economy and communities ,” says Cathy Rodriguez Aguirre , president and CEO of the SACHCC and founder of the awards . “ Our honorees have made an impact that is measurable , meaningful and transformative for others within the community by breaking barriers , taking on high level positions of influence and changing the look of business .”
 Awards are given in four categories : Rising Estrella , which highlights a young professional Latina who has demonstrated leadership ; Inspiration Estrella , which recognizes a professional Latina who has overcome challenges and achieved success ; Champion Estrella , which honors a Latina who is contributing to the betterment of the Latino community ; and Legacy Estrella , which is awarded for 20-plus years of exemplary leadership and mentorship . Honorees are identified through an open nomination process and then selected by the SAHCC board of directors .
 98 comstocksmag . com | January 2021