Unity: Holding Tomorrow in Our Hands
Our 5th Annual Charity Gala June 3, 2026 · The Fox Hollow, Woodbury NY
Our fifth Annual Gala, Unity: Holding Tomorrow in Our Hands, is an evening of leadership, influence, and impact — celebrating the power of community and the collective strength of Latina professionals across New York.
This year, we are proud to support Pronto of Long Island, Inc., an organization that has been serving people in need with dignity and respect since 1969. Together, we are raising funds to expand their reach across Long Island — feeding the hungry, clothing the needy, and providing healing and hope to all who walk through their doors.
Thank You to Our Sponsors: Your impact helped make this evening truly meaningful by aligning your brand with a mission that uplifts, empowers, and transforms lives. Your sponsorship was part of something truly special.
2026 Charitable Recipient
2026 Charitable Recipient
This year’s event is an opportunity to invest in empowering and supporting individuals and families across Long Island and the New York metropolitan area. We are excited to announce we have selected Pronto Long Island, Inc., as our charitable recipient, an organization serving people in need with basic human services since 1969.
Pronto of Long Island, Inc. has been serving those in need since 1969, beginning in the basement of St. Anne's Church in Brentwood. Though faith-based in origin, Pronto is a non-denominational 501(c)(3) nonprofit that welcomes and serves anyone in need of basic human services. In 2005, they expanded into a new 10,000-square-foot facility on Pine Aire Drive in Bay Shore.
No matter the location, Pronto has remained steadfast in its mission: to feed the hungry, clothe the needy, welcome the stranger, and provide healing and hope to everyone who walks through its doors.
Together, we are proud to support Pronto's vital work — investing in a stronger, healthier Long Island for all. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE
2026 Keynote Speaker
2026 Keynote Speaker
Keynote Speaker | Rossana Rosado
NY State Commissioner of Criminal Justice Services | Award-Winning Journalist & Author
Rossana Rosado is a journalist, writer, educator, and fierce champion of justice — a New Yorker born and raised in the Bronx. She currently serves as Commissioner of Criminal Justice Services for New York State, and previously served as New York's Secretary of State, where she advanced social justice reform.
Her state service follows a journalism career spanning over thirty years in New York media, including radio and television. She made history as the first female editor, and later publisher and CEO, of El Diario-La Prensa, the oldest Spanish-language newspaper in the country. As a young reporter, she covered City Hall and documented the challenges faced by Latino New Yorkers. As publisher, she volunteered with organizations supporting individuals returning home from incarceration.
Rossana holds a journalism degree from Pace University and a master's in criminal justice from John Jay College, where she served as a distinguished lecturer and taught courses in four New York State prisons. Her distinguished career has earned her an Emmy Award, a Peabody Award, and a STAR Award from the NY Women's Agenda.
She is driven by her passions for leadership, justice, and women's empowerment — and grounded by her love for her husband and two adult children.
Our 2026 Honorees
Our 2026 Honorees
Community Leader Award | Alexandra Velez
CEO & Founder, Flutterflies Corp. | President, Long Island Women's Chamber of Commerce
Alexandra Velez is the CEO and Founder of Flutterflies Corp., an organization dedicated to empowering women through confidence, connection, and community. In 2020, she founded Wings of Empowerment, a nonprofit focused on uplifting youth and families through workshops and community initiatives.
A bestselling author and co-author of multiple titles including My Journey from Caterpillar to Butterfly and La Fuerza del Emprendimiento Femenino, Alexandra inspires others to pursue their dreams and embrace their full potential. She also serves as President of the Long Island Women's Chamber of Commerce, advancing women entrepreneurs and professionals across Long Island.
Recognized as a Community Advocate, Distinguished Community Leader, and Organization of the Year honoree, Alexandra attributes her success to her faith, family, and the community that continues to support her vision.
Woman Of The Year Award | Camelia Peña-Rivera
Real Estate Associate Broker & Community Leader
Camelia "Camie" Peña-Rivera is a respected real estate associate broker and community leader with over 23 years of sales experience. Known for her integrity, leadership, and dedication to service, she is committed to helping families build generational wealth through real estate while making a meaningful impact in the lives of those she serves.
Her client-centered approach, strong industry knowledge, and passion for uplifting others have earned her a trusted, referral-based reputation and recognition as a leader both in real estate and within her community.
Education Leader Award | Jessica Rosa
Educator | Founder, NUERA WOMEN, LLC | Doctoral Student, Teachers College, Columbia University
Jessica Rosa is a dedicated educator, wife, mother of two, swimmer, and passionate advocate for health and physical education. She holds a master's degree in physical education, an advanced certification in health education, and 30 additional graduate credits across various educational disciplines.
Committed to empowering young women, Jessica pioneered a High School Women's Health class in her Westchester school district — earning recognition from students, administrators, families, and educational organizations alike. She also serves as an Adjunct Lecturer at CUNY Lehman College in the Department of Health Promotion and Nutrition Sciences.
Jessica is the founder of NUERA WOMEN, LLC, an organization dedicated to educating and empowering women through every stage of womanhood via health education services. She is currently continuing her academic journey as a doctoral student at Teachers College, Columbia University.
Male Champion of the Year Award | José A. Padro
Vice President, Latina Business Network of New York | Community Leader & Entrepreneur
José A. Padro is a respected community leader, entrepreneur, and advocate for Latino advancement on Long Island. As Vice President of the Latina Business Network of New York, he is dedicated to empowering Hispanic-owned businesses through mentorship, collaboration, and community-driven initiatives.
Known for his integrity and people-first approach, José measures success by the impact he makes in the lives of others. He actively supports local charities and nonprofits, demonstrating a deep commitment to service, unity, and community growth.
A devoted husband and proud father of two, José is grounded in his values of family, faith, and legacy. He is honored for his leadership, his contributions to the Latino business community, and the lasting impact he continues to make for future generations.
Member of the Year Award | Karla Guerrero Guerra
Attorney | Entrepreneur | Founder, The Healing Adventures
Karla Guerrero Guerra is an attorney, entrepreneur, and writer whose work is deeply rooted in community and purpose. Born in El Salvador and raised in Hempstead, New York, she attended Sacred Heart Academy before earning her Bachelor of Science from Cornell University and her Juris Doctor from St. John's School of Law.
For the past 19 years, Karla has been a partner at Guerra Law Office, where she focuses on guardianship practice — serving as the eyes and ears of the court and advocating for some of the most vulnerable members of her community.
In 2023, Karla co-founded Casa Lobo, a three-bedroom retreat on 15 acres in the Catskills designed as a space for rest, connection, and reflection. Through her blog, The Healing Adventures, and her growing platform, she is building a community that encourages first-generation Salvadorans and Latinas to connect with their identity, heal, and strengthen their communities.
While Hempstead remains home, Karla splits her time between Long Island, the Catskills, and Jupiter, Florida — continuing to create spaces where others feel seen, supported, and inspired.
Organization Leader of the Year Award | Yesenia Quichimbo
Real Estate Professional & Community Advocate
Yesenia Quichimbo is an Ecuadorian-born real estate professional and community advocate dedicated to uplifting and uniting Latino businesses across the East End. Raised in Montauk, NY, she draws on her bicultural identity to open doors for others — especially in spaces where Latinas have historically been underrepresented.
Through her work, Yesenia fosters collaboration among Latino entrepreneurs and amplifies their impact across industries including the arts, education, wellness, hospitality, and real estate. A strong voice for community advancement, she actively supports initiatives that expand access to higher education for Latino youth, recognizing it as a vital pathway to opportunity.
Guided by her belief that en la unidad está nuestra fuerza — in unity lies our strength — Yesenia continues to build connections, elevate visibility, and champion collective growth within the Latino community.
Latina Business Network of New York (LABNNY) is a registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.