For complete coverage of this feature , please visit our website at : www . Latin-Times . com where complete interviews and bios are available are available for you to read !
Meet some of Tampa Bay ’ s
Latina Movers N Shakers
In this issue of Latin Times Magazine , we celebrate this special time by introducing you to some of the wonderful and talented Latinas that live there here in the Tampa Bay area . These women are out there paving our paths each and everyday !
Strong , intelligent and beautiful Latinas !
Damaris Soto Frassica
Title : Marketing Director / Office Administrator Business Name : Habitat Home Realty of Florida , Inc .
Latin Times : How did you get involved with your profession ? Damaris : I established Habitat Home Realty of Florida , 21 years ago when I arrived in Florida . It has transformed from a real estate management company to real estate sales and investment firm . 90 % of our sales are within the Hispanic community .
Latin Times : What was your toughest moment or obstacle in being a Latina business woman or community leader ? Damaris : When I was living in Boston , Mass . and I applied for my first job , I was very excited ; I thought I could do everything with my work experience in the Dominican Republic . My first week at the workplace , I was fired due to my verbal communication skills , and heavy Hispanic accent ; that was a wake- up call for me . I realized I needed to go to school for English .
Alicia Trigo
Title : Executive Director Southeast Region Business Name : Verizon Telecom
Latin Times : What is your profession ? Alicia : Sales and Marketing Executive Director for the Southeast Region of Verizon Telecom , and President of An Amazing
Organization , Inc .
Latin Times : What was your toughest moment or obstacle in being a Latina business woman / or community leader ? Alicia : It is difficult to define a tough moment as a Latina , mainly because anything that can be challenging for a Latina can be overcome with grace ; but as a woman it has been very tough to balance a healthy mother time with my daughter and still stay connected with business . It took me some time to master a schedule in which I keep a diligent record of steady mom and daughter time while also investing time at work and with the community which I love so much . Now my daughter helps me with the community endeavors and I make appointments to spend quality time with her without delays or cancellations . I now have a metric system to keep me real !
Vanessa Vazquez
Title : Online Producer Business Name : CENTROtampa . com
Latin Times : What is your profession ? Vanessa : I am the Content Producer for the daily website CENTROtampa . com and write some entertainment stories for the weekly and sister publication CENTRO Mi Diario .
Latin Times : How did you get involved with your profession ? Vanessa : I grew up in the newspaper business . I loved how the old time reporters followed their lead of story in order to make a difference ( hint , the real Watergate ). I became a reporter . Soon I noticed how the internet and computers were becoming part of our lives . When newspaper business experimented with the idea at first , I jumped with them . No one believed it was going to be possible , just like when people believed the CDs were expensive . Now , years later , it has become the “ it ” medium . A newspaper online complements the three : radio , tv and , of course , the newspaper . It is innovating and challenging , and the outreach is amazing . I love both , the internet to learn my news in the now , and the newspaper to read in-depth of a story .
Maritza Astorquiza
Title : Owner Business Name : Coda Sound Inc
Latin Times : How did you get involved with your profession ? Maritza : My first profession was various positions with national company for 15 years as a Human
Resource professional and then a National Hispanic Marketing director . At one point , I decided that I needed a break from corporate life and decided it was time to work for my own company . I joined my business partner ( husband ) who had been preparing a new company .
Latin Times : Who do you consider to be a role-model to you ? Maritza : This is a question that is often asked . As I walk thru life , I believe individuals crossed my path , that have demonstrated strengths that serve to educate me . Role models are not just one person . I believe that I come across role models often although it could be for a brief period of time however their gift to me stays forever .
Maria del Pilar Ortiz
Title : News Director / Anchor Business Name : Univision Tampa
Latin Times : What is your profession ? Maria del Pilar : Mass Communication / Journalism for the last 10 years I have been working with Univision Tampa . I am
16 LATIN TIMES MAGAZINE | February - april 2008