EMPOWERING LATINAS IN THE IE

Born and raised in Perú where she served her country in the Peruvian Navy. Gigi Mindreau-Banks came to America in 1989 and started working in the printing industry. Gigi started out as a Graphic Designer and due to her keen eye for detail required for this job, ensure that her customers receive products with the highest level of quality. She developed professional relationships within the supply chain of the Printing and Promotional Products industry which allows her to provide the most competitive pricing, extraordinary levels of quality and an unbeatable level of service. In February of 2017 Gigi and Marcy Decato opened Creative Solutions Marketing & Printing, Inc., a business which they started with just a couple of thousand dollars and today, after five years the business is worth close to 1.3-million-dollars. Services include printing, promotional items, apparel, graphic and web design, and marketing consultation.

Learn more about Creative Solutions Marketing & Printing, Inc.

A Passion for Community Service

Serving her community is one of Gigi’s passions, her involvement in the Riverside Chamber of Commerce (Ambassador of the Year – 2014), Soroptimist International of Corona (President-Elect 2021), Global Society of Female Entrepreneurs, National Society of Charity League, The Fox Riverside Theater Foundation, and her most recent contribution, The Civil Rights Institute, where she is a proud board member, have given her the platforms to help her community. Gigi has also been president of several networking groups, one of them Team Referral Network-Riverside. To Gigi a simple membership is not enough, her charisma and cheerful personality spreads across with the willingness to help and be active everywhere she goes, and in any organization, she is part of.

National & International Awards and Recognitions

GSFE – Vision Builder Award 2021

GSFE – Bronze World Kindness Award 2020

Graphics|Pro – Recognized Professional 2021

SIMA – She Inspires Me Global Awards 2021 – London, UK

Emerging Latina Entrepreneurial & Leadership Program – National LBWA-IE

Nominee for the Latina Business Owner of the Year 2021 – National LBWA-IE

Nominee for the Lifetime Legacy Award 2021 – Connected Women of Influence-CA

Born and raised in SoCal, Christine Sanchez worked as a nurse early in her career.  At age 28, she married Alex. In 2004, they founded A-N-C Cold Storage Construction, Inc., a small family-owned construction company. A-N-C Cold Storage Construction, Inc is a minority, woman-owned construction company that specializes in Temperature Controlled Facilities. Christine, Alex and their seven children, work alongside one another.  The family worked hard to grow and scale their business and have had the opportunity to build several large facilities throughout the United States.  

Through the years, Christine has found that having the right mentors in business not only provides insight to those less experienced, but also are good support through the toughest of times.  Allison Maslin of Global Pinnacle Network has been a fantastic mentor. Christine also has a supporting network, working with Score and NLBWA-IE, and looking for continued growth, support and resources. Christine understands the importance of having Strong Leadership to have continued growth.  

A-N-C Cold Storage Construction, Inc. has always sought out companies that align with its values and has always believed in high quality work, reliability and time efficiency, while always maintaining safety measures at all times. A-N-C Cold Storage Construction has successfully and timely built Coolers/Freezer from 500 sq ft to 100,000 sq ft.

Christine’s entrepreneurial journey has been one of failure and success. Her Passion in business is all about the solutions, problem solving and the creative ways to come out learning how to be better.  Christine’s long-time mentor, Allison Maslin, once told her and Christine remembers always, “what got you here, will not get you there”.  As a business Owner and Entrepreneur, we must be willing to make the needed adjustments for growth.

In the coming year, Christine will be expanding the A-N-C CSC,INC Brand. She is excited as this is new territory! She looks forward to working with NLBWA-IE for their network and support.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinemsanchez/

Liliana Andriani was born and raised in Cali, Colombia. She came to the United States in 1986 and established a small jewelry repair booth in 1987 at an indoor swap meet in the city of Pomona. In 1989 she opened Angel Jewelers in the city of Rancho Cucamonga and has been serving this community ever since. Her commitment and dedication have allowed her to stay in business for decades, but it is her spirit of giving back and her involvement in the community that differentiate her. 

Liliana is grateful for her profession because it has allowed her to provide jobs to her three employees, to connect with many people and to establish strong relationships. She says her business, Angel Jewelers, serves as the platform for her to do what brings the deepest reward and fulfillment which is giving back to the community. Liliana helps to promote growth by supporting education and empowering others. For many years, Liliana has supported Chaffey College, the local community college where she started her educational journey taking ESL classes and eventually graduating in 2004 with her Associate Business Degree. She currently serves as a Board Director of the Chaffey College Foundation.

Liliana has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of La Verne.

Liliana invests her time and effort in supporting organizations that promote economic growth in the community, and in particular, small businesses. She is an active business advocate in the City of Rancho Cucamonga and currently serves as the President Chairwoman of the Rancho Cucamonga Chamber of Commerce (2020 – 2021)

As a Latina entrepreneur and business owner, Liliana is interested in supporting Latinas in business. She is a supportive member of the National Latina Business Women Association – Inland Empire chapter. (NLBWA-IE) and served in 2018 on the Fundraising Committee for the Latinas in Business Awards Gala.

Liliana is also actively involved with the Hope Through Housing Foundation and is on the 2020 Steering Committee for the “Women of Hope”, a committed group of strong and compassionate women, giving hope and opportunity to children and teens facing obstacles to their success.

Other nonprofits that Liliana supports include Children’s Fund, the San Bernardino County Museum Association, San Antonio Regional Hospital Legacy Ladies, and Growing Pains.

Illary Archilla is the Founder and CEO of Terravanta Inc, a minority, woman-owned consulting firm that specializes in project, construction, and energy/ sustainability management solutions. Her professional experience is international and diverse, with 15 years of proven leadership responsibilities in energy management, large scale construction, customer service, engineering, product development and manufacturing.

Illary is an engineer, environmentalist, and socially conscious entrepreneur who began her professional career in the automotive industry before transitioning to the utility sector. She has held different positions in the energy industry from customer service, where she managed demand response, to technical assistance and thermal energy storage programs, to transmission and distribution. She has overseen budgets in excess of $150 million, leading various types of large-scale construction projects, including load growth, infrastructure replacements, power interconnections, and new facilities. She has established a reputation as a thought leader in project and construction management and has shared her expertise as both a keynote speaker and an industry leader to the Society of Women Engineers (SWE). Illary has earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and Energetic Systems with honors, a minor in Marketing and Business and a M.S. in Mechanical Engineering. She has a Green Belt Six Sigma Certification and has participated in numerous certificate programs in the Energy/Project/Construction Management industry. In 2011, she received a Customer Champion Award by Southern California Edison for her exceptional customer service skills, and in 2018 received a Construction Storm Water Recognition for thorough compliance efforts in her construction projects.

Illary’s vision is a future where it is natural to see women in technical fields, and where sustainable projects are not an emerging trend but just a normal part of life. Terravanta directs 2% of its revenue to fund programs to educate and promote minority and low-income young leaders into STEM careers.

Angélica is the owner of AV Flowers. Her passion for flower arrangements started when her daughter turned 15 years old, and she was unable to find a service that would do simple, elegant and affordable floral arrangements for that occasion. As a florist, she believes flowers give her a unique way to connect with people and make them feel special during those unique times in life. No matter the occasion, she ensures to deliver a memorable flower arrangement with a personalized touch.

Angelica is always looking for opportunities to meet entrepreneurs and women leaders. She is thankful for all the women in her life, who have been a motivation to continue her dreams of becoming an entrepreneur.

Ms. Virginia Piña, owner of Brea Auto Body was born and raised in Los Angeles California. Virginia’s mother passed away when she was only 7 years old and she was raised by her father, who was an orphan himself.

Virginia’s first job was at 12, she graduated early from High School at 16 and was out of the house, on her own. Growing up in poverty, at 17, she started East LA Junior College, worked and went to school, walking and taking the bus. She received a scholarship to Ohio State but did not complete University because by the age of 20, she had married, was a widow and was a single mother. Virginia later married David Piña, and they had three daughters and 5 grandchildren. They worked very hard and pulled themselves and their family out of poverty. David was the love of her life, and after over 40 years together, he passed away in 2014 after a very long illness.

Virginia returned to college and received her AA in Business from Rio Hondo College when her children were young. Virginia was the first person in her family to graduate from college with an AA degree. In 2020 she proudly completed the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program.

In 1979, David came to her and wanted to start his own body shop. He was a technician and worked 7 days a week to support the family. With fear, lots of courage and a lot of sacrifice, Brea Auto Body was founded, with David and Virginia working together, while raising their young children while their small savings went into the business. Brea Auto Body has grown from 2 employees and two small bays, up to 14 employees and a 17,000 square foot state of the art facility.

In 2019, the building she occupied was sold and she was forced to move her location. She ran out of a satellite shop while her equipment was in 7 storage units, and moved a second time into her new location in Brea. Although 2020 / 21 has been a challenging year, as an essential business, Brea Auto Body remained open to serve the community.

Brea Auto Body has been voted #1 Best Body Shop in Orange County three times, by consumers on OC City Voter. Brea Auto Body is Honda and Acura and I-CAR Gold Certified, which means 3^rd party yearly certification and on-going training with a high standard of excellence and equipment. Virginia cares about each customer that comes to her shop and continues the legacy, that she and her husband started with; to repair each vehicle as if it was their own. To always take care of the customer. To care for the crew and their families, and to give back to the community. To take care of her family.

Ms. Piña is involved with many charitable organizations. Virginia sits on the board of a 501(c)(3) organization, The Friends of the Trinitarians, which serves underserved communities in Mexico and the United States, offering access to education, music, practical skills, food and housing. Virginia has been part of this organization for over 20 years and has chaired multiple large fundraisers. Virginia and her family were awarded several community awards, including the National Auto Body Pride Award for Humanitarian Acts outside of the Industry.

Maria Dely is the owner of Mary Dely Photography. 

She was born in Guadalajara Jal, Mexico. She earned a B.S. in Industrial Engineering and worked at IBM Gdl Manufacturing for several years. She moved to the US after meeting her husband and started a new life. She also started to pursue one of her passions, Photography.  Since she was a child, she liked art, painting in oil and photography. She remembers having a camera by her side all the time. She decided to quit her job, follow her dream of becoming a photographer, and discovered the magical world of transforming light into photos. Maria attended Covina City College and the California Photography Center, in San Dimas, where she took photography classes and collaborated as an assistant to recognized photographers in various events. This was a great learning experience. Officially, she started her own business as a photographer in 2018. 

She has 2 daughters and lives in the Inland Empire.  

Maria Diaz has over 20 years of experience working in various roles from sole HR practitioner to leading an HR team up to Regional level support. She is a Certified Senior Human Resources Professional, PHRCA and SHRM-SCP. Maria worked in industries such as Healthcare, Distribution, Manufacturing and Retail. She is a Self proclaimed HR Nerd that enjoys the people side of doing HR services. Holds a BS in Business Management from the University of Phoenix. Advanced Certified Practitioner through Assessments 24x7 with Dr. Tony Alessandra (Core Assessments: DISC, EIQ-2, Learning Styles, Motivators and Critical Thinking). Bilingual (English/Spanish). In November 2019, she founded Level Up Human Resources LLC to provide employment and life skills for positive leadership development. More than ever and for the future of workplaces cultures people need to strengthen their skills in accountability, effective communication, self-respect and personal development.

Maria loves networking and community involvement in various professional groups. Been involved from the beginning of her HR career with Professionals in Human Resources Association (PIHRA) and currently acting as the Vice-Chair Board Member for PIHRA-Riverside. Also, the Vice-Chair Board Member for the Greater Riverside Employers Advisory Council (GREAC). Hold membership for Trusted Business Partners as Assistant VP for Canyon Lake and proud member of the NLBWA-IE.

In January 2020, joined the EIQ-2 Learning Centers as an Associate Director of EIQ-2 Community Services to collaborate in building education for Emotional Intelligence. This collaboration led to a partnership side project with Life Transformation Coach and created an online course on Race Relations.

Received in 2020 the Women/Minority Business Enterprise (WMBE) Certification.

Maria is also a Wife and a Mom of three kids and three pets. She enjoys reading personal development books, watching movies with the fam and going on long walks.