The SME Inclusive Leadership Impact Awards honor visionary leaders in Connecticut (CT), New York (NY), and New Jersey (NJ) who have made a profound difference in their workplaces, communities, schools, or non-profit organizations by championing inclusive leadership principles and initiatives.
Norwalk, Connecticut, October 30, 2023, It is with great pleasure that the team at Simone Morris Enterprises reveal the recipients for the First Annual Inclusive Leadership Impact Awards. The winners represent 4 Categories: Youth, Non-Profit, Community and Workplace.
These awards recognize leaders who have transformed their workplaces, communities, schools, or non-profit organizations through their dedication to inclusive leadership practices. Tickets are still available for purchase.
SME sends a big shout-out to the sponsors who helped make all of this possible:
Printing Sponsor: Press 49, an award-winning publishing company.
Event Sponsor: Di Dia Diversity Consulting Group, LLC., a multifaceted company designed to partner with you and your team through a wide range of supportive coaching and advisory services.
Without further ado, here are the winners:
- Community Award Recipient: Iliana Zúñiga- Miranda – A passionate Diversity and Inclusion leader, Iliana founded Latinos Unidos Norwalk in 2020, now supporting 5,500+ members of the Latino community in Fairfield County, CT. With deep insights into the struggles of the Latino community, she ensures vital resources are accessible during challenging times. A fervent advocate for women’s rights, she’s a core member of Norwalk Women Who Vote and an advisor for Womerang in Mexico.
- Workplace Award Recipient: Candace Freedenberg, Founder – Untapped Potential Inc. Candace is a technologist and business leader with experience at Laboratory for Laser Energetics, IBM, Eastman Kodak, and Orafol. Her work, historically at the forefront of new technology and new industries within corporate America, yielded a number of US patents.
Woman-owned Small Business of the Year Award, Woman-CT Woman of Innovation Award, CT Entrepreneur Award, and a reSET Incubator Award. Candace was recently honored by the Girl Scouts of Connecticut for their 27th Annual Breakfast Badge Awards, Honoring Women Who Inspire and Lead. She has championed equity for women as a Keynote, Speaker, Workshop Leader, or Panelist for Diversity Network (a global organization), Community Economic Development Fund, and sheLeadsTECH. - Non-Profit Award Recipient: Lorraine Gibbons – Executive Director of the Cardinal Shehan Center and the McGivney Community Center. She has served in that role since January 2019. Lorraine practices inclusivity by recruiting staff members who are reflective of urban Bridgeport. She also ensures that the thousands of youths served are in a safe environment with caring adults regardless of race or religion.
- Youth Award Recipient: The LiveGirl Team – Founded in 2014, LiveGirl, Inc. is a Connecticut-based nonprofit organization that builds confident, inclusive leaders. Their mission is to prepare the next generation of diverse, brave female leaders with the skills, community, and connections so that ALL girls may thrive and make a positive impact on the world.
They provide free-of-charge leadership development, mentorship, and career readiness to girls/young women ages 10-24, centering girls/young women who have been historically underrepresented. They also advocate loudly for policies and practices that open doors for girls & women. Since 2014, LiveGirl has reached over 15,000 girls, including 72% of girls of color.
The members of the LiveGirl Team are:
- Veronica DeLandro (Executive Director)
- Shamare Holmes (Program Director)
- Farrell Lindeman (She Cares Program Manager)
- Hannah Jean Pierre (SHE WORKS Program Manager)
- Amanda deLauzon (Marketing &. Engagement)
Simone Morris Enterprises is honored to present the esteemed judges for their first annual SME Inclusive Leadership Impact Awards:
- Nancy Di Dia – Di Dia Diversity Consulting Group: Nancy J. Di Dia is a PCC certified executive and life coach with more than 30 years of leading and developing talent globally in Fortune 100 Businesses. Nancy’s career spans Financial Services, Pharmaceuticals, Manufacturing, Retail Banking, Sales, Marketing and Operations as well as Information Technology.
- LaToya Fernandez – Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer City of Norwalk, Connecticut: Educator, Activist, and Community Leader, LaToya Fernandez, dedicates her career to teaching students and communities equity and justice. As a Restorative Justice Coordinator, LaToya has served in schools supporting students, educators and families through cultural responsiveness, restorative practices and community engagement.
- Brian Klecatsky – Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) leader: Brian Klecatsky is a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) leader and corporate professional who has worked across a variety of industries including Fashion/Retail, Hospitality, Health Insurance, Consumer Goods, Financial Services, Biotech and Telecommunications.
- Ramon Peralta – Founder, CEO & Chief Creative Officer Peralta Design: As Founder, CEO, and Chief Creative Officer at Peralta Design, Ramon Peralta has assembled a multicultural, multi-disciplined, team that brings your brand and business to new heights. Ramon creates an atmosphere of teamwork and success by leading his team with vision and encourages risk-taking while ensuring final projects are approved and meet sky-high design standards.
- Joe Santana – Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Futurist: Joseph Santana is a Futurist helping to shape the future of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). He is also a sought-after keynote speaker, author, and the Chairman of the CDO Power Circle, where he’s at the forefront of helping Chief Diversity Officer in highly respected organizations to prepare to address the emerging challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.
- Sheri West – Founder & CEO, LiveGirl: Sheri West is a founder & CEO, career-readiness expert, podcast host, speaker, and champion for equity and inclusion. She is a former management executive turned social entrepreneur with over 25 years of corporate and leadership development experience. She founded LiveGirl in 2014 to pay it forward to the next generation of diverse female leaders. LiveGirl has served over 16,000 girls since its founding.
About Simone Morris Enterprises:
Simone Morris Enterprises LLC, headquartered in Norwalk, CT, and servicing customers across the United States, is a certified minority and women-owned business founded in 2015. They uphold a set of core values that guide their work: authenticity, inclusion, accountability, and results. The company’s vision is to foster a more inclusive world by empowering and transforming leaders and workplaces.
Clients leverage their coaching, consulting, and training services to ensure they walk the talk as inclusive leaders. Satisfied customers say the company helps them sleep better at night knowing they’ve got solid plans to win the war on talent, nurture employee engagement, and be prepared for the constant external stressors that rattle the best-laid diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies.
Join SME as they celebrate Inclusive Leadership Excellence Across The Tri-State (CT, NY, and NJ)
Tickets are still available. The Inaugural SME Inclusive Leadership Impact Awards are happening on November 2, 2023 at the Carriage Barn Arts Center, New Canaan, CT.
For complete information, visit: https://www.simonemorrisenterprises.org/impactawards
Media Contact:
Simone Morris Enterprises LLC
Attn: Media Relations
304 Main Avenue #379
Norwalk, CT 06854
929.399.6241
smorris@simonemorrisenterprises.org
