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Latin American Chamber of Commerce
This page is about the St. Joseph County Latin American Chamber of Commerce
Latina Women Extending Their Reach
Latina Women Extending Their Reach is an amazing panel of professional women who have combined their experience and ideas with their dream of establishing positive contacts within our community and extending their reach to others.
Kristin Bien
Kristin has been anchoring and reporting at WSBT 22 for 10 years. She is an award-winning journalist who anchors the weekend morning shows and produces community-based high-impact stories for WSBT 22 First in the Morning. Her energy and enthusiasm helps wake you up and keep you informed every morning as you start your day.
Kristin focuses on breaking news and stories that matter to you. Most recently you saw her at the scene of a devastating tornado on South Bend’s south side. She has also done several stories on the opioid epidemic and it’s effect on people in our area. Her long time series on cold cases helped investigators in some of our local communities gather new leads and interest in long forgotten homicide cases. While working at WSBT, Kristin has won several major statewide awards including 3 first place awards from the Indiana Associated Press.
Before joining WSBT 22, she worked at KMOT-TV in Minot, North Dakota where she was an anchor, reporter, photographer, assignment editor and assistant news director.
Kristin grew up in Huntley, Illinois, just outside Chicago. She lives in Granger with her husband, two children and their dogs. When she is not at work, you can find her at the gym or taking a nap.
Cecilia Lopez Monterroza
Experienced Associate Attorney with a demonstrated history of working in the law practice industry. Fluent in English and Spanish. I focus my practice in Criminal Defense, family law all aspects of Immigration law, including removal defense, asylum, family-based petitions, Special Immigrant Juvenile, U-visa, VAWA, waivers. Strong legal professional graduated from Valparaiso University School of Law and is a CLEO fellowship recipient, completed at the University of Notre Dame Law School.
Angeles Gonzalez
As an HR professional Angeles is passionate in building compassionate, positive, inclusive, respectful communities. Colleagues know her as a dedicated team member that can always be trusted to be knowledgeable, energetic, kind, and dependable. Currently Angeles is partnering with the City of South Bend to assist in the promotion and management of the Mayor’s Career Pathways Program. This program gives South Bend residents and South Bend based companies the opportunity to apply for grants to train, upskill, and enhance participant’s career paths.
Adriana Garcia Bontreger
born in Guanajuato Mexico and moved to Goshen, IN at 4 years old, brings over 7 years of experience in business development. Adriana has a tremendous love and passion for her community and serves in a variety of community networks. She is Chair of Big Brothers Big Sisters, Committee Chair of Business Diversity Initiative, a Goshen Chamber Board member, Oaklawn Board member, Goshen YP and Elkhart Chamber Ambassador. As the Assistant Vice President and Branch Manager at Centier Bank, Adriana’s vision is to create and foster relationships that lead to solutions and long-term success.
Congratulations 2021 Empresario Certified Graduates.
Thank you, City of South Bend, and all of our amazing graduates! Watch the entire presentation right here.
Community Service Awards
Susannah M. Bueno
Susannah is an independent contractor that is trained and educated in helping to overcome a growing problem the entire nation is currently experiencing, the language barrier. With an extensive background in teaching, translating and interpretation, she has developed skills from a variety of professional career paths she has taken that have opened many doors, allowing her to accomplish this task. Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Susannah decided early in her career to take the path as an educator. In 1996, her ambition and dedication took her to one of the best high schools in the country, Penn High School in Mishawaka, IN, and remained there as an educator until 2001.Her skills have also taken her to become the only simultaneous news broadcaster interpreter for a local news television station, WSBT Channel 22, a CBS affiliate, via the SAP program. She has recorded commercials for the local Spanish channel Telemundo and has had extensive experience with voiceovers for advertising companies in the area. In addition, she currently does freelance work as a telephone interpreter with Certified Languages International, based in Oregon. Her most recent accomplishment is obtaining the certification as a Court Interpreter for the State of Indiana. Susannah belongs to many professional affiliations: ATA (American Translators Association), MATI (Midwest Association of Translators and Interpreters), and NIMIA (Northern Indiana Medical Interpreters Association) among others.
Martha Smith
Martha was born and grew up in Managua, Nicaragua. She is a third generation business owner. Her grandmother and mother owned and operated small, home-based micro-businesses, which they each single-handedly built from the ground up. She arrived in the United States, after marrying Gary Smith. Gary and Martha daughters, Hazel and Heather. Martha recently obtained a Master of Science Degree in Leadership from Trine University and she is a graduate of Ferris State University, with a Bachelor of Science in Business ‘Administration. Martha served as Project Director of the Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative at Saint Mary’s College from 2010 – 2016. She currently serves as Administrative Director of the Summer Institute called Study of the U.S. Institute (SUSI) at Saint Mary’s and is a Forum Leader for a Woman’s Group at Renaissance Executive Forums of Northern Indiana. She and her husband own and operate two small businesses. One is a local mini-storage facility and the other one is a business to business textile distribution company. Martha has served as community volunteer with the Niles YMCA and the Senior Citizens Center, as well as Hospice of Saint Joseph County. Hobbies and interests include reading, spending time with her grandchildren, traveling around the United States and Latin America, and power walking whenever she gets a chance.
Cynthia A. Murphy
Bilingual professional educator that works in collaboration with Latino and other underrepresented students/community members to reach their academic, personal, and career goals. Currently working at IUSB as Academi Coach/Recruitment and Retention for Latino Students. Center for Legal Justice, Board Member. CLJ is a 501 (c) 3, bilingual law office headed by Lead Attorney Rose Rivera. CLJ is now accepting consultations for students in northern Indiana who believe they may qualify for Deferred Action.
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