Cuban-American Latina Recognized Minority Community Leader

Meet Maria S. Antuña, Hispanic Woman of Distinction, CEO, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Palm Beach County

“A Hispanic woman should know deep from within where she comes from, accept who she is and most importantly know her roots as this will be the fuel that will strengthen her to make a difference”

After decades of service in the banking industry, when Maria Antuna retired, she found her new calling in life by taking on the leadership of the Hispanic Chamber of Palm Beach County, a 400 member organization whose mission is to support business owners, educational and health issues in the community. Today the Chamber is one of 7 chambers across the U.S. awarded the USHCC/MBDA,( United States Hispanic Chamber Minority Business Development Agency) partnership through the CARES Act. This technical assistance center was provided for emergency services to help small businesses keep their doors open during the pandemic. Maria’s enthusiasm and positive attitude is infectious, say many who know her well.Her passion to support minority-owned, diverse businesses is vital to maintaining a strong, robust and prospering economy. To that end, Maria is fully engaged on numerous boards and committees including the Board of “Discover the Palm Beaches,” that attracts tourists to Palm Beach County; the Housing Leadership Council of Palm Beach County, that addresses homeless issues, and the Diversity and Equity Advisory Board that focuses on the inclusivity of every child, as well as the Solid Waste Authority, to name a few.

Over the years, Maria has been recognized by Senator Rick Scott as a Hispanic Community Leader; she also received the Community Leadership Award, and she was presented with a service recognition by West Palm Beach Mayor Keith James for the Mayor’s Task Force for Racial and Ethnic Equality, as well as earning numerous awards in the banking industry. By using her resources, Maria has encouraged members of the Chamber to sit on boards and committees throughout the county, thus bringing the diverse representation so important to an emerging market.

Maria, of Cuban heritage, is married for 45 years to Juan; they are parents to two sons and residents of Wellington. We are proud to announce the 2021 Hispanic Women of Distinction and the Latina Pioneer of the Year. 2021 Honorees: MELIDA AKITI, VP Ambulatory & Community Service, Memorial Healthcare Systems (Broward) YINETH SANCHEZ ASLAN – GEICO Staff Counsel, Law offices of George L. Cimballa, III (Broward) MARIA S. ANTUNA – CEO Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Palm Beach County – (Palm Beach) ERBI BLANCO-TRUE – Community Development Manager, IBERIABANK, First Horizon Bank (Miami) THAYRA “Tye” HAUSHEER – Volunteer Community Leader AARP Florida (Miami) HEIDI ALZATE KAUFMAN – Founder/President Heidi Alzate Consuting (Broward) JACQUELINE LOPEZ-DEVINE – Chief Clinical Officer/Chief Nursing Officer, Trustbridge ( Palm Beach) JESSICA MARRA – Attorney, Law Firm of Kelley Kronenberg – (Broward) JAENE MIRANDA – Pres/CEO Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County (Palm Beach) LUBBY NAVARRO – School Board Member Miami-Dade County/Director of Government Affairs Memorial Healthcare Systems (Miami) KIMBERLY VALENTIN – Hospice Liasion Amedisys Hospice (Broward) CAROLINA VEIRA – Dir. Community & Corporate Partnerships IMC Health (Miami) Juliette Ashley Valle, 2021 Hispanic Woman of Distinction Up & Comer Award JOIN US on September 10th to honor these fantastic women! Tickets $95 per person, table sponsorship $1500. For more information, sponsorship opportunities and updates visit www.hispanicwomenofdistinction.com or on Facebook.