Maria Elena Elisalde
María Elena Elisalde was born and raised in Quito , Ecuador . María Elena has over 10 years of banking experience . She started her banking career in Ecuador . After five years of increasingly responsible professional positions in financial analysis and corporate loans , María Elena decided to move to the United States and pursue an MBA in Tampa , FL , going on to graduate from the University of Tampa with an MBA in Finance . María Elena is currently working at SunTrust Bank in Tampa , Florida as an Assistant Vice President - Lender for the Commercial Banking team . María Elena ’ s community involvement started in Ecuador , where she assisted with different literacy programs for the indigenous community . María Elena is now involved with the Tampa Bay Area community . She is the incoming Southeast Regional Director of NSHMBA ( National Society of Hispanic MBAs ), one of the founders and Co-Chair of HYPE ( Hispanic Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs ), a Board member of TICH ( Hispanic American Intercultural Workshop ), and a Board member of Big Brothers Big Sisters . Maria Elena is also one of the past leaders of Emerge , a group of young professionals of the Greater Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce , a member of the Mayor ’ s Hispanic Advisory Council ( City of Tampa ), and a mentor for MBA students at the University of Tampa .
Due to María Elena ’ s extensive community involvement , an independent panel of judges chose María Elena as one of the finalists for the Tampa Bay Business Journal ’ s 2005 Business Woman of the Year award , 2006 Minority Businessperson of the Year award , and 2006 Winner of the Hispanic Heritage ’ s Award for Civic Involvement .
Yamel Christina Arronte
Yamel Christina Arronte born in Florida to Cuban parents and grew up right here in Tampa . Yamel partook with the Gasparilla pageantry of the Latin American Fiesta and as President of DECA at Leto High , class of 1988 .
Later , Yamel served in the United States Army as a Combat Medic , serving 2 years of active duty and stationed in Germany during the first Gulf War , and 2 years as a Reservist in Kentucky as a newlywed . Throughout her 15 year marriage to Brent
Arronte Sr , she has continued to pursue her education and her dreams . Her son was born in 1994 and she graduated with an Associates degree in 1996 from PPCC participating with the Economics Club ; Yamel ’ s daughter was born in 1997 and she graduated with a Bachelors degree in 2001 from USF , graduating with Honors . Yamel went on to complete her Masters in 2006 from Troy State , graduating with a 4.0 GPA .
While at USF , Yamel received the Latino Scholarship , the Ronald E . McNair Scholarship , the Grace Allen Woman ’ s Scholarship , the Metropolitan Life Minority Scholarship and the Hispanic Scholarship Fund . She participated with the Golden Key Society , the National Society of Collegiate Scholars , Pi Gamma Mu , Kappa Delta Pi , and was an ENLACE Representative . Yamel was also a Student Mentor & HACU Ambassador while President of the Adult Transfer Student Association .
Previously Yamel has also engaged with Step Parenting , Foster Care and Exchange Student Hosting ; for the last six years Yamel has taught middle grade Social Studies in public schools and has been involved with History Grants , the Education Foundation , Model UN , Peer Mentoring and the Humanities Council . You will most recently recognize Yamel as a candidate for Hillsborough County Commissioner . She was disappointed that the 25 % Latino population had no bilingual representation in their local government , and decided to run for the office . Yamel ran as a “ no party affiliate ” county wide to reach as many potential voters possible . She received 6 % of the votes , which is an impressive amount for a “ NPA ”.
Yamel plans to run again in 2008 for District 2 as a Republican . Currently she is a member of the Sheriff ’ s Hispanic Advisory Council , the Public Relations Director for the Veteran ’ s Day Parade , a columnist for “ Las Americas Herald ” and a co-host for “ Tampa Grapevine ” on Public Access . Future goals include the possibility of Law School at Stetson University . Yamel ’ s hobbies include snow skiing , snorkeling , horseback riding , photography and spending time with family . She attributes her success to “ Role Model Mentors ” throughout her life that “ Lift As They Climb ”.
Ivette Mayo
Ivette Mayo spent most of her career with a major global airline working in marketing , sales , public relations and training . She worked successfully with sales and marketing to integrate culture and language as key components to their successful launch into the Latin American market place . Ivette ’ s high energy style combined with 15 years of business experiences in branding and marketing products and services has paved the way to create results . She was instrumental in developing customized training , cultural awareness and effective sales applications . Her knowledge of the international customer lends to her many successes on a global level . Her bicultural experiences add to her ability to recognize challenges in the workplace and marketplace . Ivette ’ s goal is to help clients ’ bridge cultural differences and discover strategies that create solutions through practical applications that directly effect results and performance .
Ivette ’ s professional background and upbeat style gives her credibility and approachability . She is able to balance organizational needs , customer needs and relationships into her solutions . Her customer centered approach helps everyone walk away with new found knowledge and skills that will motivate improvement overall . Her passion is to influence and create results that promote a greater knowledge and acceptance of cultures and respect for diversity .
Ivette has an extensive travel background and has conducted training throughout the United States , Asia , Europe , Mexico , Central America , South America and the Caribbean . In addition , Ivette has experience in senior level management and has worked with several Fortune 500 companies , and has obtained numerous sales and leadership certifications with prominent training companies . Ivette has become a contributing writer for three local Tampa Bay publications offering advice on cultural business practices .
Ivette attended San Diego State University , where she pursued a degree in Communication . Ivette is married and has two wonderful daughters .
E
At 23 years old , Elizabeth Espinosa is the Co-Owner and Managing Partner of Estrella Tropical Latin Restaurant and Deli . Elizabeth and her family are originally from Hammond , IN and in 1999 moved to Valrico , FL , which would soon become the home of Estrella Tropical .
Elizabeth is a business program graduate from The University of Tampa and during her time at the university , she was involved with many student organizations , such as Delta Sigma Pi International Business Fraternity , and was a founding member of both The Diversity Fellowship and the Sigma Beta Chapter of Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority , Inc . It was also during her time at The University of Tampa where she developed her love for restaurants , food and wine and decided to apply to become a Walt Disney World College Program Intern .
Elizabeth Espinoza
During her 8 month internship at the California Grill , Walt Disney World ’ s leading fine dining restaurant on the 15th floor of the Contemporary Hotel , Elizabeth worked hard to network with lead management personnel and culinary staff to be able to learn as much as possible about restaurant ownership as well as obtain her introductory level Sommelier Certification with the Court of Master Sommeliers .
Upon graduating from The University of Tampa in ’ 05 , Elizabeth and her father , Eliseo Espinosa joined together to create Valrico ’ s home for authentic Puerto Rican cuisine , Estrella Tropical . Through the combination of both of their life experiences and education , they have made a cultural gathering place where homemade recipes , cultural events and Puerto Rican hospitality are dominant . Elizabeth is also responsible for developing the restaurant ’ s marketing agenda such as , Estrellita News the restaurant ’ s monthly newsletter , the restaurant ’ s website and planning and facilitating the restaurant ’ s events .
As a young entrepreneur , Elizabeth attributes her success to the support of her family . “ My Mother ( Lillie Espinosa ) and my Father are the hardest working people I know , and their drive and perseverance never fail to inspire me to become a better person both at work and in my personal life .”
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