Colombian-American Latina Insurance Exec Fund Raiser Cyclist
Meet Luz Stella Rios, 2020 Hispanic Woman of Distinction , Ed.D, Managing Director, National Life Group
“Today’s Hispanic women no longer see themselves as “problem solvers,” but rather as a “solution finders.” We have chosen to stop being reactive and have become more proactive in order to prevent problems from arising.”
As the Managing Director for the National Life Group in Sunrise, Florida, Luz Stella Rios, Ed.D uses her years of experience and schooling to train, supervise, delegate and coordinate staff and customer accounts in the insurance and financial services industry.
Prior to her joining her firm last year, Luz worked as the Regional Recruiting Director at National Planning Corporation. She was also the Recruiting and Marketing Manager for the Latino market of the South East Region for New York Life Insurance Company and was the Client Support Specialist/Quality Assurance Analyst for Education Online Services. Before heading down her recent career path in recruiting and management, Luz also was an Executive Travel Counselor for American Express’s VIP clients.
Luz earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies majoring in Psychology, her Master of Arts degree in Administration and her Doctorate of Education in Organizational Learning & Leadership specializing in Human Resource Development from Barry University. Her accomplishments are more impressive since she achieved her doctorate with a perfect 4.0 grade point average while undergoing lifesaving medical treatments and raising her two children as a single mother. Since 2014, Luz also has been an Adjunct Professor at a Masters level in Public Administration at her alma mater. She is a lifetime member of the Delta Epsilon Iota Honor Society as well.
When earthquakes struck her native Colombia, Luz organized and coordinated relief efforts resulting in her traveling to and delivering more than four tons of food and medications to help those in desperate need in the city of Armenia. Several years later, when fires destroyed a Haitian orphanage, she collected hundreds of pounds of food and clothes to help those homeless children to survive and thrive as they awaited their housing to be rebuilt.
An avid cyclist, Luz helped to raise thousands of dollars as part of the American Express Centurion Cycling Team. The team bikes 150 miles to Key Largo and back to benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society of Florida in honor of one of Luz’s relatives who was struck by this devastating disease. While at New York Life, Luz coordinated dozens of volunteers to staff the phone banks during a two-day “radio telethon” to raise money for the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. She currently serves on the St. Jude Planning Committee for the Broward Chapter that raises funds for the hospital through their annual gala. She recently joined the St. Jude Cycling Team as well. This year she is coordinating National Life Group’s employee volunteers, as well as their corporate sponsorships, in both a walk/run and another radio telethon to benefit St. Jude’s. In addition, Luz currently serves on the Business Program Advisory Board for Keiser University to review and evaluate their new Masters of Business Administration program.
Luz’s children, Brandon and Jessica, could not be more delighted by their mother’s accomplishments. When not working, teaching, parenting or volunteering, Luz enjoys feeling the wind in her hair as she cruises along the high seas to exotic ports of call.
The 19th annual Hispanic Women of Distinction Charity luncheon to be held on August 28th at Signature Grand in Davie, Florida is anticipating another sell-out of up to 1000 guests paying tribute to Latina professionals who are strengthening the social fabric of this country and making inroads in the leadership pipeline for a growingly diverse America.
The annual cultural event has now grown to be the largest celebration of Latinas in Florida representing a cross-section of disciplines that are changing the face of American culture. With over 70 nominations this year, 12 Latinas and a Latina Pioneer have been selected to join the more than 200 past honorees.
What the women have in common and is a major part of the judging process, is their American entrepreneurship intertwined with their values and traditions. The accomplishments of these Latinas stand on their own and are even more significant given the traditional roadblocks that exist for women, especially Latinas.
Presented by Latina Style Magazine, in partnership with Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center and Latin Biz Today, this popular high-powered exciting event includes a complimentary “mojito” and silent auction, hors d’hoerves, entertainment, and an interactive business expo on Facebook Live.
The event benefits FLITE Center, the one and only one-stop in Broward County for youth transitioning from foster care and other transitioning youth who are facing severe risks and challenges with no family support. FLITE Center works alongside our county’s foster care placement agency, ChildNet, as well as the Judges and Magistrates who oversee their care plans. They serve over 1500 youth per year and serve as the gap filler in the community for youth and agencies lacking the resources to help them reach full self-sufficiency.
The 2020 Honorees to from Broward, Dade and Palm Beach County are:
2020 Latina Pioneer of the Year: RITA B CRAIG – President, Top Tier Leadership
JENNIFER DILIZ – CEO, Founder, Midnite Communications – (Miami)
JANIE FLORES – President, Buena Vida Media – (Hialeah)
RUTH CECILIA MOGUILLANSKY – Principal Planner, Palm Beach County Office of Community Revitalization – (Palm Beach Gardens )
JENNIFER OLMEDO-RODRIGUEZ – Shareholder, Head of Miami Office of Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney – (N. Miami Beach)
MARY MUNIZ-PELLICER – Director, Human Resources, YWCA of Greater Miami-Dade, Inc (N. Miami Beach )
MONICA RIBEIRO – Vice President, Business Relationship Manager – BankUnited – (Pompano Beach)
LUZ STELLA RIOS, Phd – Managing Director, National Life Group – (Pembroke Pines)
ESTELAMARI RODRIGUEZ, M.D. – Assoc. Director Community Outreach Thoracic Oncology, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center – (City of Miami )
ALESSANDRA STIVELMAN –Shareholder – Eisinger, Brown, Lewis, Frankel & Chaiet, P.A. (Hollywood)
ISIS ZAMBRANA – V.P./ Chief Quality Officer, Jackson Health System – (Weston)
2020 Latina Pioneer of the Year: RITA B CRAIG – President, Top Tier Leadership
Rita formed her company more than 20 years ago helping leaders and organizations build winning cultures, deliver results and maximize performance around the world. An award winning certified speaker and coach she has recently been appointed as one of the 21 women on the Florida Commission on the Status of Women. Rita is a resident of Palm Beach Gardens.
For more information, visit www.hispanicwomenofdistinction.com or email: hispanicwomenlunch@aol.com. Tickets are $95 per person. Sponsorships begin at $1500. All major credit cards accepted. Follow us on Facebook
Related articles/videos:
