The National Hispana Leadership Institute (NHLI) is gearing up for its 2008 Executive Leadership Training & Mujer Awards Conference in Orlando, Florida on Thursday and Friday, November 13-14, 2008. This year’s conference celebrates our coming of age. We’ve turned 21 and we are looking forward to an exciting future. Your support of NHLI and commitment to our mission of developing Latinas as ethical leaders through training, relationship building, and community activism is what enables us to move forward and continue to grow.

During this conference participants will gain knowledge and inspiration, build new relationships and strengthen old ones, and honor remarkable women who are breaking the glass ceiling. This year’s conference will highlight Latina trailblazers and their work such as Congresswomen Loretta Sanchez (D-CA) and Linda Sanchez (D-CA) who recently released their book Dream In Color: How the Sanchez Sisters Made History on Capitol Hill, renowned motivational speaker Consuelo Castillo Kickbusch, and many of our own NHLI hermanas who continue to demonstrate the strength, power and impact of the NHLI network through their achievements.

Latinas are changing the face of our country and making significant contributions through the corporate, nonprofit, and public sectors as well as in education, the arts, literature, and music. We are rising to leadership positions and paving roads in record-breaking numbers. Since 1993, NHLI has honored the unrelenting commitment of Latinas who are moving their communities forward and making a significant difference in the lives of others. The Mujer Awards pays tribute to three extraordinary Latinas who have made it their life’s work to empower their communities through the media, and by expanding access to health care.

This year’s Chair Award is presented to Nely Galán, effervescent media dynamo, President of Galan Entertainment, producer of the reality series “The Swan,” and NHLI Class of ’89. She is being honored for her commitment to the Latino community through her entrepreneurial spirit and charity organization Count Me In, a nonprofit organization that empowers women to create their own business and achieve financial independence. Dr. Angela Diaz, MD, MPH , this year’s recipient of the National Award is honored for her lifetime work in the medical field. As Director of the Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center—which under her leadership has become the largest adolescent health care center in the U.S. — Dr. Diaz has been a pioneer in providing free primary care, reproductive health, mental health and health education services to teens. This NHLI graduate of the Class of ’96 is also President of the Children’s Aid Society, the country’s oldest child services agency. The 2008 Regional Award is presented to Rossana Rosado, Publisher and CEO of El Diario La Prensa, the oldest Spanish daily newspaper in New York delivering outstanding news content to all its readers. She is honored for her distinguished achievements in the print and electronic media industry and unsurpassed commitment to the Latino community.

The Mujer Awardees are fundamental examples of the remarkable work that Latinas are doing every day across the country. Thank you for being a part of this journey moving our local and global communities forward.

Look forward to seeing you at our festivities!

—Cristina Lopez