2024-2025 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MARYNES MATEOS, PRESIDENT
Marynes, is Matcon Construction Services, Inc., Managing Director. With a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the esteemed University of South Florida and a Real Estate License from the State of Florida, Marynes has positioned herself as a well-rounded professional.
Before joining Matcon Construction, Marynes exhibited her exceptional leadership skills during a successful 15-year tenure in the banking industry, overseeing intricate treasury services for corporate clients.
As an active member of the Hispanic Professional Women's Association (HPWA) since 2018, Marynes has consistently demonstrated her commitment to empowering and supporting fellow professionals. She served as a HPWA 2021-2022 Program Mentor, then took on the role of HPWA 2022-2023 Mentorship Chair, displaying her dedication to fostering growth within the organization. Recognizing her outstanding contributions, she has been appointed as the 2023-2024 HPWA President, spearheading initiatives to empower and uplift women in the professional sphere.
Beyond her commitment to HPWA, Marynes has also played pivotal roles in other esteemed organizations. She served as Co-Chair for Cohort '22 in the Tampa Bay Chamber - Minority Business Accelerator Program, facilitating the growth of minority-owned businesses in the region. Additionally, she was a member of the University of South Florida ISLAC Advisory Council, where her insights were instrumental in shaping the university's vision.
With her exceptional track record and unwavering dedication to professional development, Marynes Mateos is deeply passionate about nurturing and inspiring future leaders, she is committed to helping them achieve their educational and professional aspirations.
MARIA JOSE FASHORO, PRESIDENT ELECT
Maria Jose, Born in Caracas, Venezuela, Maria Jose migrated to the United States 27 years ago, initially to the Washington, DC area where she started her career in banking at Chevy Chase Bank. Now after 25 years in the financial services industry, she has worked at various financial institutions and is currently a Vice President at Regions Bank working as a Branch Manager at their Brandon Town Center branch. Maria Jose has been a member of HPWA for the last 8 years and has been a mentor and a board member holding different positions on the board. Maria Jose has lived in the Tampa Bay area since 2002 and is passionate about giving back to the community and supporting women pursue higher education.
MELISSA RAMOS, SECRETARY
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Melissa Ramos, is a “veteran” member of Northwestern Mutual (NM) and began her financial services journey back in 2001. Her humble beginnings as a graduate student from the University of Hawaii, she obtained her Master’s Degree in Organizational Management with a minor in Business Administration. Melissa opted to remain within NM and has worked at many capacities successfully within the organization leveraging her expertise in business operations, product knowledge and professional experience. She has built a remarkable reputation of “putting the client first”. In the last couple of years, Melissa has focused on what she does best, her efforts and concentration on Financial Planning by ensuring that her clients have a comprehensive plan tailored to their goals and needs. As a Financial Advisor with NM, she is able to fulfill one of her purposes by serving her diverse community ranging from business owners to the young professionals.
Her Puerto Rican “raices”, “Army brat” upbringing, familia dynamics, and former military spouse experiences taught Melissa to attach herself to a mission, a calling and ultimately, a purpose. In her spare time, Melissa is heavily involved within her community and serves on the board for local Hispanic organizations. You may see her volunteering for Alex’s Lemonade Stand, Miles for Moffit, walking for Awareness on Military Suicide, Ronald McDonald House, etc. For fun, she enjoys her travel adventures by exploring new food spots and discovering domestically or international destinations.
BRENDA BAEZ- COSTA, TREASURER
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Brenda Baez Costa, is a licensed Insurance Agent and Co-Owner of Senor Bubbles. Graduate from Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra with a Bachelors and Masters in Business Administration.
She has volunteered as a mentor for the HPWA Mentorship Program for the past 2 years and most recently as an HPWA board member this past fiscal year in the Membership committee.
NELCY BALTZ, PRESIDENT EMERITUS
Nelcy Baltz is 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 was appointed to represent HPWA at the Commission on the Status of Women (COSW) of Hillsborough County Florida (2021-2023), Additionally, she serves as a member of the Sheriff’s Hispanic Advisory Council and supports other non-profit organizations such of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Tampa Bay, Miss Latina Tampa, Tampa Hispanic Heritage, Inc., and the Mayor’s Hispanic Advisory Council.
Nelcy was born in Bogota, Colombia and has called Tampa home for 20 years. Nelcy is excited to continue the legacy of the HPWA, helping Latin women further their education and significantly improve the potential for success.
IVONNE ALVAREZ, MEMBER AT LARGE
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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.
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, was an integral part of HPWA since 1990, as Honorary Chairperson and Co-founder, as well as at HPWF since its begining in 2019, until her passing on September 4th, 2024. She retired from the City of Tampa after 30 years of service, and remained involved in fostering professional and educational opportunities. Margarita was well known as a community and public relations leader, radio and television producer and host, bilingual interpreter/translator, human rights investigator, and advisor to government agencies, and non-profit organizations.
A Hillsborough Community College and University of South Florida graduate, with a B.A. in Mass Communications, Margarita specialized in bilingual communication campaigns, cultural diversity, as well as civil rights. Her fundraising efforts with organizations like HPWA, MHAC, MHHC, SHAC, and others, resulted in the establishment of several scholarships and endowments at HCC and USF. In 2021, she was honored as a Tampa Bay Lightning “Community Hero,” and used her $50,000 gift to establish the Margarita Gonzalez-HPWF Latino Scholarship Endowment at USF.
In 1988, Margarita Gonzalez was the first Hispanic woman President of THHI, Inc. and President and founder of the Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Celebration, and later of other organizations; the first to serve on the Superbowl Task Force (1991); and created, produced and hosted the first Spanish language television program on CTTV, “Nuestra Tampa,” which also aired on Univision and Telemundo. In March 2023, her trailblazing work was publicly acknowledged by becoming the first Cuban-American inducted into the Hillsborough Co. Commission on the Status of Women Hall of Fame.
Her professional and volunteer work was also recognized with several Golden Cassette Television Awards, City of Tampa and Hillsborough Co. Commendations, the NFL-Tampa Bay Bucs Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award, 1989 Hispanic Woman of the Year, Girl Scouts’ Woman of Distinction, and many others.
Margarita is deeply missed by all past and present members of the HPWA family. Her legacy lives on in the many lives she touched through her community involvement and service.