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Our Mission To promote the economic growth and development of Hispanic businesses and professionals in Westchester.

Our Mission

The Westchester Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (WHCC)

Is the leading county-wide Hispanic business organization dealing with the concerns of the growing Hispanic business community of Westchester. Our mission is to promote the economic growth and development of Hispanic business and professionals in Westchester.

Promoting economic growth and development of Hispanic businesses and professionals in Westchester!

With Hispanic businesses on a steady rise, there’s no denying the significant impact they can have on our economy. If we continue to invest in empowerment and development of Hispanic businesses and professionals, we can reap the benefits of this opportunity.

Hispanics are starting businesses 50 times faster than any other demographics and have incredible potential to positively impact our economy at a time when every little help counts. This provides even more reason to work for the development of Hispanic businesses and professionals in the USA.

Over 4.37 million Hispanic-owned businesses contribute a cumulative of over $700 billion to the American economy every year

Keeping such facts in mind, the Westchester Hispanic Chamber Of Commerce (WHCC) aims to assist in the further development of Hispanic businesses. Founded in 1988, the WHCC was established by a committed group of business professionals and individuals who recognized the pressing need to create a platform that can positively respond to the needs of the growing Hispanic business community.

We strive to strengthen business relationships with Hispanic companies, corporations, organizations and professionals in Westchester, empowering  Hispanics to reach new heights of success. Considering the position cultural and civic entities hold for the community, the WHCC also aims to build stronger relationships within the community. We want to avail every opportunity that we can make use of to assist in promoting Hispanic businesses.

The WHCC serves as a gateway for large organizations to connect with the Westchester Hispanic business community!

With a bright future waiting for the Hispanic community, the WHCC works on promoting programs, events, resources and activities that can propel Hispanic businesses forward. Equipping Hispanics with the necessary tools, the WHCC aspires to play their part in the economic development of Hispanic businesses.

Just providing Hispanics with resources doesn’t guarantee a successful future and that’s why the WHCC periodically evaluates the businesses under their care to recognize the outstanding performing members. By recognizing and rewarding the achievement of Hispanic, the WHCC wants to celebrate the positive impact that they have been on our society.

Promoting economic growth and development of Hispanic businesses and professionals in Westchester!

Meet Our Board members

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Sonia Montaño

President

Aleida Frederico

Aleida Frederico

Chair

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Nelson Rivera

Treasurer

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Viviana Kaffury

Board Director

Maura Daroczy

Maura Daroczy

Board Director

Maria Trusa

Maria Trusa

Board Director

Maria Del Carmen Amado

María del Carmen Amado

Board Director

Mónica Martínez-Hess

Board Director

Veronica

Veronica Bazan

Program Director Spanish

Eddie Monroy

Eddie Monroy

Board Director

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Camelia Peña Rivera

Board Director

JH

Jose Haces

Market Manager

partners

Forming partnerships with companies interested in reaching the growing Hispanic market in Westchester County!

We aim to be the voice of the Hispanic businesses and individuals residing in the County. With a dedicated and focused approach, we are working on developing and broadening the horizons for Hispanic businesses in Westchester. 

In order to foster smart growth and economic vitality in the region, we work in cohorts with partners whose mission aligns with our own. Through these individuals and organizations, we support the objectives of the Hispanic businesses and individuals, where direct advocacy and original program lends a helping hand.

The right partners enable us to engage and empower the local Hispanic community!

Our partnership with United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is what has empowered us to lend a helping hand to our Hispanic community. It is America’s largest Hispanic business organization, representing over 4.37 million Hispanic-owned businesses.

Being a part of USHCC means that are a part of the platform and resources that the Chamber provides to the Hispanic enterprises. It is their relationship with the local chambers that has given us the power to go far and beyond in assisting the Hispanic community to succeed in life. We, along with 200 local chamber members are the backbone of the USHCC.

With their free access to educational programs, grants and more, they have provided us the necessary tools needed to take the right initiatives for the betterment of our Hispanic community.

The WHCC partners are the keys that unlock the true potential of the Westchester Hispanic business community and provide them the resources they need to soar!

They provide loans to businesses and individuals to expand and start their own business. They aim to reduce risk for lenders and in turn make it easier for them to access capital. Empowering small businesses with an easy means of getting loans, the U.S. Small Business Administration provides competitive terms and offer guaranteed loans on the same rates as un-guaranteed loans available in the market.

Their services do not just stop with money lending. Some of their loans come with continued support, counseling and education. They help businesses start and then smoothly run their operations. With a number of other benefits such as Lower down payments, flexible overhead requirements, and no collateral for some loans, the U.S. Small Business Administration is the ultimate partner to empower Hispanic businesses and individuals in the county.

At WHCC, we seek to identify the high-value interventions, policy changes, and collaborations that will provide support to unlock the unmet Hispanic business potential!

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Sonia Montano

Board Director

Sonia is a native Peruvian with 25+ years of experience as the Vice President of Montano Wood Care. She is responsible for managing the day to day operations of the business, as well as developing and maintaining partnerships in various local organizations. Prior to establishing Montano Wood Care, Sonia was the owner and publisher of Nuestro Mundo newspaper. A monthly Spanish language newspaper that covered the New York Metro area, focusing on the local, regional and international news which related to Latin America.

Before, creating Nuestro Mundo, Sonia worked as an Account Executive for two well renowned Hispanic newspapers, El Diario La Prensa and Noticias Del Mundo. These newspapers communicated national and international news to the Hispanic community. Sonia was born and raised in Lima, Peru and was the youngest of 10 siblings. Always looking to excel, Sonia studied Business as well as the French and English language.

These studies helped her when she migrated to the United States as young women in her early 20s. Sonia’s ambition to succeed pushed her to continue studies in the United States and successfully obtain a Business degree. With the support of her husband and two boys, Sonia has had the opportunity to become a successful Chief Executive Officer (CEO) operating Montano Wood Care alongside her husband and joint owner.

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Aleida Frederico

Aleida Frederico

Chair

Aleida Frederico is Senior Relationship Manager, Vice President, Westchester NY, Commercial Banking at TD Bank. In this role, she provides customized banking solutions for commercial, municipal, small business, education and not-for-profit institutions in New York. Alé joined TD Bank in 2005 and has 25 years of banking experience working in varied capacities with public sector customers, not-for-profits, commercial, small businesses and CRA/community development.

She has held various roles within TD Bank as a Senior Vice President – Team Leader, Government Banking and Business Development Officer. She has been a recipient of TD Bank’s CEO WOW! Leadership Award.

Appointed by New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo she serves on the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council and is a Board member of the Westchester County Industrial Development Agency (IDA). She is the Corporate Secretary of the Westchester County Association. Alé is a Board Member of White Plains Hospital Center and a Westchester Community College Foundation Board of Director.

She is Chair and a past President of the Westchester Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and a founding Board Member of 100 Hispanic Women Leaders – Westchester Chapter. She is a Board member of the United Way of Westchester & Putnam and a member of the United Way’s Women’s Leadership Council. She was born in Placetas, Las Villas, Cuba.

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Nelson Rivera

Nelson Rivera

Treasurer

As Director of Insurance Services, Nelson’s primary focus is working with financial advisors to develop strategies for clients that protect family assets, income, and lifestyle. Nelson specializes in providing independent reviews of a client’s existing coverage, working closely with advisors to analyze personal and employer-provided insurance coverage and subsequently make appropriate recommendations.

Nelson joined Clarfeld in 2003. A Certified Public Accountant, he is a member of the New York State Society of CPAs and The National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors. He is also Treasurer for The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.He speaks Spanish fluently and moves with equal fluency, enjoying salsa dancing with his wife. They live in Rockland County, N.Y. with their three sons.

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Viviana Kaffury

Viviana Kaffury

Board Director

Editor of Kaffury Latin Magazine, a specialist in marketing and print and online advertising, identifies with everyone who works for a better future. Born and raised in Colombia, in Cali City to a Colombian mother and Arabic father, Viviana has a unique understanding of how leveraging the strengths of a multicultural environment can boost the growth and innovation of organizations. Viviana has over 20 years of corporate experience in sales, marketing, and communications. Working with multinational companies in Colombia she has developed and implemented numerous programs in Kaffury Designs a company responsible for display advertising for companies to look to grow up in the market.

Focusing on helping companies grow their profitability, increase their social impact and enchant their customers. Fluent in Spanish, she holds degrees in International Bussines and Marketing, and in Professional Leadership Skills Development (Universidad Autónoma de Occidente, Colombia). Additionally, she earned several Professional Certifications ranging from Bussines Training and Public Speaking (Westchester College, and Kaiser University, USA).

Excelling at delivering Hispanic network as “Encuentro de Empresarios Hispanos” and has been active in professional Latino Advancement with magazine Kaffury Latin Magazine, the purpose is to educate and inform readers (men and women) in Westchester. For more information or to see how Viviana can help your organization please contact her at the email.

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Maura Daroczy

Maura Daroczy

Board Director

Maura has lived in Westchester for over 30 years. She arrived from the Dominican Republic to the City of Yonkers in 1991 and was an ESL student at Roosevelt High School where she had to learn English. She has worked in the Westchester Hospitality market since she was 19 years old. 25 years ago, she began her career in hospitality with an internship at the Stouffer’s Inn in West Harrison which in 1998 was acquired by Marriott International and became The Renaissance Westchester.

Hotel in which she held several positions during her 17 years at that hotel. Since 2012 Maura has transition into the Hilton brand at the legendary Hilton Westchester, in 2016, she became the Director of Sales and Marketing at the Radisson Hotel in New Rochelle. Most recently, she opened the SpringHill Suites by Marriott Hotel in the Village of Tuckahoe as their Opening Director of Sales.

Only hotel that opened in Westchester County during the pandemic. Thought her carrier in hospitality, Maura has also volunteer for several charitable organizations such as the DUPLER Foundation, “YO DIGO NO MAS” and is an active member of The Business Council of Westchester. She also seats on the Board of Directors of The Promise to Aid Charitable Organization and The Westchester Multicultural Chamber. Maura also served two elected terms 2017 and 2019 as Village Trustee in the Village of Dobbs Ferry.

She was Liaison to the Youth Service Council, Beautification Committee, Tree Commission, Housing Board of Appeals and Human Rights & Diversity committee. Member of Ad Hoc Citizens Committee on Proposed Code Changes and Downtown Task Force, Affordable Housing and Police Reform and Reinvention Task Force. Support the Mayor and board guided the Village during the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently Maura continues to serve in two Village committees and is a Democratic District Leader.

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Maria Trusa

María Trusa

Board Director

Born September 1, 1964, in the Dominican Republic, Maria M. Trusa moved to the United States at the age of fifteen. After joining Scarsdale Medical Group (a multi-specialty physician practice serving the Westchester community since 1957) as a Medical Assistant in 1989, she was appointed as leader of the management team in 1992, and then became Executive Director in 2008. Since then she managed to transform the practice from a six-physician single-site entity with thirty-five employees to its present configuration of more than 45 physicians with four sites and over two hundred employees.

During her tenure at Scarsdale Medical Group, Maria not only set goals and drove the execution across the business around financial, operational, clinical quality, growth and team measures, but she also helped the practice achieve all established goals. As an independent strategic partner to the practice and physicians, Maria effectively identified opportunities to gain operating efficiencies, optimized workforce productivity, and became an agent of change to enhance the competitive market position of the practice.
Maria demonstrates a unique capacity for tenacity and compassion in overseeing the day-to-day and long-range management of Scarsdale Medical Group. Her philosophy in introducing new employees into the Group was that their technical skills and their personality must be a “fit” for the practice. Maria believes that “An employee must be happy in order to be productive”. This principle resulted in a dedicated workforce where every employee performed not only their primary function but has been cross-trained to perform a variety of other responsibilities at the Group.

In June 2005, Maria authored the report “One Medical Practice Finds EMR Will Pay for Itself in Two Years” for the Westchester Physician publication. This article described how Maria introduced cutting-edge technology at the Group with full implementation of an electronic medical record system that was implemented in 2004. Maria has also served as a private consultant to a number of medical practices for the purpose of improving their efficiency and productivity through analysis of staffing, finances, managed care contracts, management systems and vendor relationships.

She provides mentoring services at Westchester Community College, and has lectured to groups on “Organizational Skills” and “Understanding Managed Health Care”. María has an Associates Degree in Liberal Arts from Westchester Community College and subsequently furthered her education at Pace University, majoring in Education. María currently resides in Tarrytown, New York with her beautiful daughter, Natasha. María also has two accomplished and devoted adult sons, Franco and Jeffrey. María readily admits that her rich cultural heritage and her nurturing family instilled in her a tireless work ethic, a thirst for knowledge, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

“I closed my chapter at Scarsdale Medical Group after 26 years in June of 2015. I joined Forme’ Medical Center and Urgent Care as their CEO and Partner in September. I was blessed to find my partner Gina Cappelli, someone who shared the same vision I had for over 15 years of helping the undeserved and uninsured community. We have been working intensively since September 2015 to create a place for our community to get access to affordable, dignified, and high-quality medical care.

One of the prouder moments in my career happened in March 15th 2016 when we launched an extremely unique program a “Medical Membership” to our Medical Center. With this program our members get 50-90% discounts to our Medical Center, Urgent Care, Physical Therapy, Labs, Pharmacies, specialist, Dentistry, surgical centers and the membership partnerships keeps growing. Anyone that does not have medical insurance can become our member. Everyone qualifies for this program, regardless of residency, financial or immigration status. Everyone is welcome at Forme’. Our mission is to offer affordable preventive care and educate our community on how preventive care saves lives! Our goal is to continue to grow in many of the communities with tremendous need for dignified, high-quality, transparent health care!”

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Maria Del Carmen Amado

Maria Del Carmen Amado

Board Director

María del Carmen Amado came to United States 24 years ago, full of dreams. While she is dedicated to journalism for the last 30 years, 10 years of them to Westchester Hispano newspaper, her experience as an entrepreneur is not a coincidence. Maria has achieved experience in the corporate area in her youth when she worked during 4 years for the Romero Group in Lima, Peru, and was lucky to be assigned to companies group such stock market, real estate, textile, area of construction management, and investments as well. Before studying journalism, Maria studied tourism management and hotels, a career that was on fashion when she graduated from High School, and although she realizes that it is not a profession she is passionate about, decided to study five years, while she managed to study journalism -then her second career- and become a professional in this field as well.

In New York, María began her U.S. career in El Nuevo Hudson (Spanish edition of the Jersey Journal) as a community news reporter. Then at WADO Radio (Univision) as a New Jersey Correspondent, then as a producer. Then she moved to Noticias 1380 24 Hours News Radio in NYC, as news editor, leading a team of 15 reporters, and working with important radio personalities such Malín Falú, Liliana Marín, Gelena Solano, and Alejandro Guerrero, former news director at Univision and Telemundo.

María has also been in the television area with success. She was the producer at HITN for two years, and she and her team had won the Great Apple Award for the best New York City Community Television Program, presented by Mayor Rudy Giuliani. As part of her career she joined: Tiempos del Mundo and, Telemundo47, as a freelance reporter, and she did 3 years of wonderful service covering news in: the beat of Albany, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island, for EFE which is the largest worldwide news agency in Spanish. She is very happy to have served at Hoy New York as an Associate Editor and Assignment Editor, where she helped to important coverages such 9/11, AA 587 Flight Tragedy in Queens, and has intensively covering immigration issues and the lives of Latinos in NYC.

After all her accomplishments, and having gained wide experience, Maria decides to create a local newspaper in Spanish to serve the Latino community in the county where she lives with her family. Then creates Westchester Hispano, and after great efforts and challenges, she managed to position Westchester Hispano and serve well the Hispanic Community, to which she is very proud of. Once she saw that everything was in order with WH, María decided to expand their services to the state of New Jersey which was the one who opened the door when she arrived from Peru, and gave her the opportunity to develop her career. Thus created in March 2015, New Jersey Hispano, a newspaper with news coverage and distribution in six counties in northern New Jersey.Due to the success of her own newspaper and her professional experience in 2011 she was named regional director of New York Press Association.

In Perú, María has worked as a political writer, investigative reporter, news reporter for the largest Peruvian nationwide broadcasting RPP Group where she was the host of the political radio magazine “When the journalists talk” as well.

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MMhess

Mónica Martínez-Hess

Board Member

Monica Martinez-Hess was born and raised in
Guadalajara, Mexico, where she received her B.A. in
Marketing from the University of Guadalajara. She
moved to the United States in 2009, where she began
her career as a Financial Professional with New York Life
in March 2010.
Mrs. Martinez-Hess achieved several awards in the
company and in June 2012 was promoted to be part of
NYL Latino as a Recruiting and Marketing Manager in
the Westchester area. She was responsible for attracting,
hiring, and retaining top sales talent to serve the
financial needs of the Latino community.
Currently, she is a Financial Professional at the
Manhattan General Office with New York Life. She is
licensed in NY, NJ, CT, MA, TX, FL, NC, CA, MA, and ME,
where she serves and educates families and business
owners about financial products and services. Also,
Monica is an Executive Council agent and since 2020 has
been a member of the Million Dollar Round Table, the
Premier Association of Financial Professionals.
Mrs. Martinez-Hess has been recognized by the
Westchester Hispanic Chamber of Commerce at
Growing with Heels, Celebrating the Power of Women. In
2017, she was named Top Latino Insurance Agent by
Latino Leaders magazine and received a business award
from the Yonkers Hispanic Federation Chamber of
Commerce.
She is an avid volunteer at the Ossining School district,
whether at school functions or conducting seminars
about Financial Wellness. Monica also serves on the
Communication Committee, BELL Equity Fund, and
Proyecto ALCANCE within the school district.
Mrs. Martinez-Hess’s goal is to keep empowering people,
especially women, and being an example for young
Latinas. Ms. Martinez-Hess currently resides in Ossining,
NY, with her husband Phil and their 2 children, Mateo
and Elena. In her free time, she enjoys CrossFit, reading,
and spending time with her family and friends.

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Veronica Bazan

Program Director Spanish

WEDC’s Program Director for WEDC en Espanol, and Loan and M/WBE certification Counselor, joined WEDC in 2013. She has a background in small business, teaching, and micro lending. Prior to joining WEDC, Ms. Bazan worked as a bilingual analyst at Accion East and Online, a microfinance organization, where she helped small business owners prepare and procure loans. Ms. Bazan earned her BA in Business Administration with a concentration in entrepreneurship from the Gabelli School of Business at Fordham University. She also has a degree in education from the Instituto Superior de Formacion Docente in her home country of Argentina.

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Eddie Monroy

Eddie Monroy

Board Member

Eddie arrived to the consulting industry after finding a passion for both business development and helping people reach their dreams. A graduate of Strategy Leaders’ Students2Work Program, Eddie is currently a member of the company’s Executive Committee. As their Director of Consulting he works with a diverse group of business owners and their management teams, serving the company’s mission of putting client companies on track to grow revenue, profits and achieve sustainability.

Winner of the SUNY New Paltz and Hudson Valley Business Plan competitions, Eddie competed for NYS honors at SUNY Albany’s College of Nanoscale Engineering and Science. Eddie holds a Master’s in Business Degree from SUNY New Paltz, where he was also a cum laude graduate of the Bachelors of Science in Management program. He was inducted into the university’s Hall of Fame in 2013. He has received County, State and National acknowledgement, including Orange, Ulster and Dutchess County Certificates of Excellence, New York State Assembly Certificate of Merit, and Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from Congressman Chris Gibson.

Eddie currently serves as a board advisor and chairs the Education Committee of the 800+ member Hudson Valley Young Professionals Organization, whose mission is to develop growth opportunities for the Hudson Valley’s next generation of leaders. Eddie is a member of the American Marketing Association where he has conducted workshops on operations, leadership, professional development and promotion. He is a member of the Latin Colors magazine which promotes Hispanic lifestyle & education in Connecticut. Eddie has also been a featured guest writer for industry magazines related to the state of the economy.

He’s given back to the community by mentoring students at SUNY New Paltz, as well as the United Way Business HOPE members. He helps organize events for the Emerging Leaders Alliance which is associated with the United Way. He has helped an international not-for-profit focused on women’s education, Educate2Envision, to expand by 500% over 2 years as they built schools in Central America. He currently serves on the Educate2Envision’s advisory board and is helping launch their entrepreneurial program to facilitate student engagement with launching and sustaining their own businesses. Eddie is also a member of various regional business associations in N.Y., C.T., & N.J.

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Camelia Pena

Camelia Peña
Rivera

Board Member

EXPERIENCE Camelia PeFia-Rivera is an accomplished, full-service real estate sales professional & associate broker. She possesses 16 years of sales experience, 10 years in corporate media sales with Telemundo TV & Univision Radio and 6 years in Real Estate Sales. Camie is equipped with the necessary management, leadership and strong negotiation skills that make her stand out during transactions. The transition to real estate occurred effortlessly, affording her a chance to help people achieve their property goals and dreams. ABOUT Camie is known for her attention to detail, is reliable, honest, extremely efficient and dedicated to making her clients feel comfortable and secure during the buying & selling process. Leveraging a wealth of knowledge coupled with well-connected contacts within the industry, she guides clients using up-to-date marketing approaches, adopted to the unique requirements of each client, empowering them to make well-informed decisions. She prides herself in exemplary customer service and is passionately driven to ensure her clients’ needs are prioritized throughout the entire sale process. Her care and compassion, coupled with her industry knowledge, allows her clients to know that they are in good hands. Her ability to honestly connect with clients sets her apart from others in the industry. Also possessing a good business acumen and excellent communication skills, she easily connects with people. As a result of this Camie has established a stellar reputation in the market and with her clients, resulting in many of her clients being referral based. Camie also enjoys helping inspire real estate industry professionals looking to grow and work together on becoming the very best version of themselves & building a platform for like-minded professionals willing to collaborate and add values to others. She knows that that this will help make the real estate makret stronger and together help the clients reach their real estate goals!
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JH

Jose Haces

Banking Portfolio Management Credit

Lead by example and manage a team of professional which support and provide great customer services to personal and business clients.
With a team based approach, which includes internal and external partners, our team manages, grows and collaborate for the good of our clients, and our community.

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