2022-2023 HPWF Board of Directors


2022-2023 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

MEGAN RAPOZO, PRESIDENT

Megan A. Rapozo is an Real Estate Accountant at CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) and owner of Martini Export Inc., a brokerage exporting company from the United States to South America. She holds Master of Science in Supply Chain Management and a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from the University of South Florida.

Megan has been an HPWA member since 2018 as Mentorship Program Mentee. She served as the 2021-2022 HPWA President and 2020-2021 HPWA President-Elect and has served in the Board of Directors since 2019 in the Mentorship, Fundraising, and Communications Committees.

Megan was born in Miami, Florida and was raised in Bolovia. She has called Tampa home since she was 15. Megan is passionate about helping Hispanic women with their personal and professional development to become the best version of themselves and encourage others to pursue further education.

 

 

IVONNE ALVAREZ, PRESIDENT-ELECT

Ivonne Alvarez is a Vice President SBA Lending Specialist at Regions Bank. She holds a degree from graduate of Montclair University. 

Ivonne served as the 2021-2022 President-Elect and served in the 2020-2021 Mentorship Committee. Additionally, she has served on the TAC Committee as Vice Chair for Prospera and currently is on the Regional Board. She recently received the Community Engagement Award by Prospera.

Ivonne was born in Colombia. She is passionate about nurturing relationships and giving back through mentorship.

 

 

IVONNE PELAEZ, SECRETARY

Ivonne Pelaez owner and Wellness Director at Hanaq Prana Studio. Ivonne holds a Mass Communications Degree from University of South Florida. She is a Nutrition Specialist from the American Academy of Sports Dietitians and Nutritionists. In addition, she holds an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach certificate from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition of New York. She has been in the health and wellness industry for 10 years.
An HPWA member since 2017, Ivonne previously served as the HPWA Secretary. Additionally, she currently serves as President Elect.

Ivonne was born in Bogota, Colombia and has called Tampa home for 24 years. She is passionate about empowering, inspiring and helping women, teens and children regain control of their health thru fitness classes, yoga classes and nutrition coaching.

 

YURIMA CABRERA, TREASURER

Yurima Cabrera is an Assistant Vice President SBA Express Banker at Regions Bank. Yurima holds a Liberal Arts Degree from Hillsborough Community College. She has been in the banking industry for 15 years.

Yurima has been a an HPWA member since 2019. Additionally, she currently serves as a Board Member for Regions Bank Tampa Bay DEI Network. She has been a volunteer at the United Way and Academy Prep Center for Education for the past 4 years.  

Yurima was born in Habana, Cuba and has called Tampa home for 24 years. She loves to give back to her community and passionate about supporting education and professional growth for Hispanic Women. 

 

NELCY BALTZ, PRESIDENT EMERITUS

Nelcy Baltz a graduate from Hillsborough Community College and the co-founder of SN Shots Photography. For over a decade, Nelcy has enhaced her clients' images through custom photo sessions with her photography business, using their essence and personality to bring their visions to life.

A member of HPWA since 2010, Nelcy has previously served in several Board positions, including Communications Chair, Membership Chair, Outreach Chair, Mentorship Chair, Treasurer. She was the 2018-2019 HPWA President and currently holds an Honorary Chair position. Nelcy is the co-founder and President Emeritus of HPWF, established in 2019, and is appointed to represent HPWA at the Commission on the Status of Women (COSW) of Hillsborough County Florida (2021-2023). Additionally, she serves as an officer on the Board of PorColombia Tampa Chapter and supports other non-profit organizations such of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Tampa Bay, Miss Latina Tampa, and Ninos Cantores de Tampa, Tampa Hispanic Heritage, Inc., Sheriff’s Hispanic Advisory Council, and the Mayor’s Hispanic Advisory Council. 

Nelcy was born in Bogota, Colombia and has called Tampa home for 17 years. Nelcy is excited to continue the legacy of the HPWA, helping Latin women further their education and significantly improve the potential for success.

 

CATALINA BOTERO, MEMBER AT LARGE

Catalina Botero is a Senior Account Executive at Spectrum. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Marketing from University of Florida. She has been in the communications industry since 2001.

Catalina was the 2019-2020 HPWA President. Additionally, she serves as the Secretary of USF's Latin Community Advisory Council and a recipient of the 2021 Business Award from Tampa Hispanic Heritage, Inc.

Catalina was born in Medellin, Colombia and has called Tampa home for over 20 years. She is passionate about our culture and education. With education, you can change the future of a household. 

 

 

YOKA HIDALGO, MEMBER AT LARGE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DIANA WALKER, MEMBER AT LARGE

Diana Walker obtained her bachelor's degree from the University of South Florida and has been living in Tampa Bay for almost 10 years. Her passion is entrepreneurship and giving back to her community. She currently works for Hillsborough County as a Special Projects Coordinator in the Small Business and Minority Business department with Economic Development. She is an active member of Status of Latino at USF (SOL), 1 Million Cups and serves as President of Delta Tau Lambda Sorority Inc.'s National Board.

 

 

 

 

MARGARITA GONZALEZ, HONORARY CHAIR

Margarita Gonzalez retired from the City of Tampa after almost 30 years of service. There, she served as Community/Public Relations Coordinator. In addition to her communication duties, she was the Executive Producer and Host of two award-winning television programs and a trailblazer doing Hispanic community liaison work. Her extensive knowledge of governmental, cultural, community and international affairs, has made it possible for Hispanics to have access to services and economic development programs, and for others to better understand the Latino community.

Margarita graduated from the University of South Florida with a B.A. in Mass Communication and a Minor in Spanish. She also holds an A.A. Degree from Hillsborough Community College. 

Margarita Gonzalez is Co-founder and Honorary Chairperson of HPWA (1990) and HPWF (2019). She has no assigned duties; however, during the last 32 years Margarita has served on all HPWA’s committees and on HPWF’s bylaws, fundraising and communication committees. She also volunteers with other non-profit organizations.

Gonzalez have been recognized with numerous awards, among them: NHL Tampa Bay Lightning Community Hero, NFL-Bucs Hispanic Hero, THHI Hispanic Woman of the Year (1989), Girl Scouts’ Woman of Distinction, and a City Council of Tampa Commendation. 

Margarita was born in Habana, Cuba and arrived in Tampa in 1966.  She is passionate about creating educational opportunities for others and has worked on many scholarship fundraising efforts and on establishing scholarship endowments. Thanks to her TB Lightning Community Hero $50,000 Award, she established the Margarita Gonzalez-HPWF Latino Scholarship Endowment at USF and the first scholarship was presented in September 2021.