Latina New Yorker of Colombian Heritage: Banking Executive/Community Activist

Natalie M. Alvarez, 2018 Hispanic Woman of Distinction, banking executive active in multiple charities.

“Hispanic women are family oriented, caring, compassionate and respectful to all, so when given a task, we have the ability to exceed all expectations.”

When faced with breast cancer in 2008, Natalie Alvarez didn’t see the diagnosis as a stumbling block as much as she saw it as yet another opportunity to help others. Being open about her health challenges, Natalie used her journey as a chance to inspire and encourage others who also might be going through a difficult time.

With the same type of determination and positive attitude that helped see Natalie through cancer, she also used those qualities to help her succeed in her professional life.

Early in her career, Natalie was working as a temp and, after several months, she convinced the company that she would be much more valuable as a full time employee.

They agreed.

That confidence in her abilities led to the career she’s had as a banking executive for the last several decades working for IBERIABANK/Sabadell Bank & Trust, CenterState Bank/First Southern Bank, Regent Bank, Bank of America and other financial institutions.

A native New Yorker with a proud Colombian heritage, Natalie is currently exploring other career options and using her additional free time to further support the efforts of the community organizations she has worked with over the years.

Groups such Leadership Palm Beach County, The West Palm Beach Library Foundation, The Children’s Healing Institute, Executive Women of the Palm Beaches, Habitat for Humanity of Palm Beach County, United Way of Palm Beach County and Susan G. Komen, Race for the Cure are all benefitting from the extra time Natalie currently has to volunteer.

Natalie is also an active alumnus working on multiple committees and serves as Vice-Chair of the Alumni Association Board to her alma mater, Palm Beach Atlantic University, where she received her B.A., graduated Magna Cum Laude and was selected as the outstanding graduate of her class.

Her volunteer work has won her such honors

Her volunteer work has won her such honors as the 2017 Palm Beach Atlantic University Distinguished Alumni Award from the Catherine T. MacArthur School of Leadership, the 2016 National Philanthropy Day Honoree, the 2016 Women of Worth Nominee from the Central Palm Beach County Community Foundation, the 2015 Warrior in Pink for Susan G. Komen and many other tributes.

Natalie and her husband, Rafael, who works as a technical administrator in the burglar and fire alarm industry, recently celebrated their silver wedding anniversary. They are the proud parents of Rafael J. Alvarez, Jr. and enjoy boating, traveling to Cali, Colombia and spending time with family in their Stuart home.

For more information, visit www.hispanicwomenofdistinction.com or 954-601-6550 or email: hispanicwomenlunch@aol.com.

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Here are last year’s 2017 Hispanic Women of Distinction were:

GLORIA L.  DIAZ-DANIELS –Div Sales Mgr Sales-Pharmacy Walmart – Palm Beach Colombian Born Latina Shines As Mentor and Walmart Sales Exec

ADRIANA FAZZANO FICANO – Chief of Staff, Broward College – Broward County Colombian-American Latina Leads College PR and Community Organizations

BLANCA GUERRA -Broward County Schools-Curriculum Sup/Dual Languages –Dade Cuban Latina Excels at Education and Preserving Heritage Languages  

KARINA GOMEZ-HERRERA – Pres. CEO Karnna Fashion & Company – Broward:  Outstanding Venezuelan Latina Excels as a “Hispanic Fashion Advisor”

Dr IVERIS LUZ MARTINEZ- Assoc Prof. Herbert Werthein College/Medicine FIU-Dade Cuban-American Latina Is a Premier Healthcare Anthropologist 

LORENA MASTRARRIGO -Assistant Public Defender, Broward County – Broward  Argentinian-American Latina Attorney Helping Hispanic Community

CHRISTINA PEREZ McDOWELL – Founder, Solutions by CPM, LLC – Dade- Cuban-American Latina Brand Manger and Executive Consultant

JACQUELINE NUNEZ – Co-owner, SOMA Medical Centers PA – Palm Beach Colombian Latina Healthcare Financial Officer Supports Those In Need

Dr. JACQUELINE PENA – Dean Academic Affairs – Miami Dade College –  Dade Dominican Bronx Latina Secure Grants to Drive Student Success

MICHELLE MARTINEZ-REYES- CMO, Greenspoon Marder Law Firm – Broward  Latina Cuban-American Chief Marketing Officer Is Growing Brands

MARIELLE SOLOGUREN – Vice President. Pierson Grant Public Relations – Broward Latina of Ancestry Cuban-Peruvian Making Waves in PR

RACHEL TOURGEMAN –Community Relations Dir.- Florida National University-Dade Panamanian-American Latina Community Relations Professional Advocates for Victims

LATINA PIONEER of the YEAR:  

DAISY EXPOSITO-ULLA – Chairman, CEO of d exposito & Partners, a visionary creative leader in cross-cultural brand building for more than 30 years, Daisy has been recognized by numerous organizations and named as one of the most influential Latinas in the United States.