Carmen Nazario, President and CEO of Elyon International, Inc. opens up about her background and the life experiences that helped shape and mold her leadership skills. Carmen believes we are a product of our environment and life experiences — everything, from our early life has an impact on how we respond to what comes along the way.
L to R: David Regan on behalf of ELYON International, Inc.; Fernanda Cerrillos Anzar, recipient of 2019 Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber Scholarship Award; and Ozzie Gonzalez of Balfour Beatty.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON (MAY 12, 2019) — Fernanda Cerrillos Anzar was the lucky student selected to receive an educational scholarship award sponsored by ELYON International, Inc. at the 2019 Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber (HMC) Scholarship Awards Luncheon.
Anzar was one of 53 students receiving a scholarship from the HMC. This year the chamber gave $144,392.00 in scholarship awards. ELYON has for the last 10 years participated in the HMC’s corporate-sponsored scholarship program for Latino students. ELYON’s scholarship to Anzar was matched by funds from the Oregon Latino Scholarship Fund at Oregon Community Foundation (OCF).
About Fernanda Cerrillos Anzar
Anzar will study Political Science at the University of Washington. She hopes to become a lawyer and clinical social worker, with the goal of helping disadvantaged families gain access to healthcare and needed financial support. She believes that education is vital tool that can help achieve professional goals, and something her parents and herself would be proud of.
“I am grateful to be picked as an ELYON scholar” she said, “and beyond happy to have your support with my education… Your financial support will give me the wings needed to thrive and be a great example to my peers and community. Thank you for believing in me.”
2019 HMC Scholarship Awards Luncheon
The annual event hosted by HMC was held last Friday at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, Oregon. The scholarship awards were presented with congratulatory messages from Master of Ceremonies Osvaldo “Ozzie” Gonzalez, Northwest Regional Diversity and Sustainability Director at Balfour Beatty; Gale Castillo, Interim Executive Director of HMC, and Keynote Speaker Roman Hernandez, Partner at Troutman Sanders and former President of the Portland Hispanic Chamber.
In a heartfelt conclusion to his speech, Hernandez urged awardees to believe in their dreams: “Dream big, don’t let anybody sell you out… and endeavor the best that you can be.”
Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber
HMC is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization providing small business development to Latino businesses in the State of Oregon and Southwest Washington. The Oregon Latino Scholarship Program was established in 1996 to encourage and provide support to Latino students so they may continue to pursue higher education. Since its inception, the program has awarded over 2.4 million in educational scholarships to over 950 students with the support of corporations and individuals throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington. (Website: www.hmccoregon.com)
ELYON’s Giving Program
ELYON has been a long-term supporter of the Oregon Latino Scholarship Program and has provided financial assistance to their scholars over the past 10 years. “We believe education is the key to a more diverse and inclusive community, and we are grateful for the opportunity to support minority students in their journey towards achieving their dreams” said Carmen Nazario, President and Founder of ELYON International, Inc.
To learn more about ELYON’s Giving Program, support for young professionals and minority students, MBEs, Veteran-owned business and aspiring business owners, visit ELYON’s website: www.elyoninternational.com/new/community.
For a full list of 2019 Oregon Latino Scholarship awardees, visit: hmccoregon.com/scholarship.
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Bobby Herrera, author of The Gift of Struggle, and president of Populus Group.
Join Carmen Nazario and guest Bobby Herrera for the Veteran Founders Podcast on Friday, March 29th from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm Pacific time.
Bobby Herrera is the author of The Gift of Struggle, a book about leadership and the life-changing lessons we learn through our struggles. He is also the co-founder and president of Populus Group. With a passion for building strong culture and communities through trust and storytelling, his leadership style is about empowerment, connections, and ensuring everyone has the opportunity to succeed.
Bobby grew up in a big family with parents who immigrated to America without much. While this is not an uncommon story, the leadership style and company culture that it inspired is. The belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to succeed is at the core of Bobby’s philosophy in business and in life.
Everyone has struggles and business leaders are no exception. Bobby’s passion is helping others understand how their individual struggles can help them connect with their communities and inspire other is what will ultimately transform their leadership style.
Bobby is a proud Army veteran and currently lives in Portland, Oregon with his wife and three children.
Listen to Veteran Founders Podcast every Friday from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm on www.startupradionetwork.com.
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Carmen Nazario was named 8A Graduate of the Year at SBA Portland’s 2017 Small Business Week Awards Luncheon.
May 3, 2017 (Portland, Oregon) — Carmen Nazario, Founder and President of ELYON International, Inc. was named 2017 8(a) Graduate of the Year at Small Business Administration (SBA) Portland’s Small Business Week Awards Luncheon. Nazario is a U.S. Army veteran from Puerto Rico. Her father worked in the newspaper business and she dreamed of one day, touching the lives of others in her own way.
“Life is an adventure and you live a greater adventure when you are willing to take more risks,” reads the legacy in Carmen Nazario’s high school year book. Though she didn’t have a crystal ball, Carmen’s quote selection would be foretelling of her future. While attending a university in her native home of Puerto Rico, she decided to take her first big risk. She followed in the footsteps of her father, a World War II Veteran, and joined the U.S. Army, hoping to see the world. Carmen served as a computer programmer during the Vietnam War; gaining skills that much later would help her establish her own company. After leaving the Army, she attended school, earned her Bachelor’s degree and worked as an Information Technology professional.
Nearly 20 years later, Carmen took another huge risk. As a single mother of three she decided to start her own business in the field she knew best, software development and consulting. Today her company, ELYON International, Inc. has more than 80 employees working across seven states, and serves government and Fortune 500 companies. In addition to participating in the SBA 8(a) Business Development Program, Nazario grew her business with assistance from the SBA Veteran Business Outreach Center and SCORE counseling.
Nazario was also selected as the SBA Region 10 8(a) Graduate of the Year among winners from the Pacific Northwest including Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. She was one of 10 finalists for the SBA National 8(a) Graduate of the Year.
Each spring the SBA recognizes small businesses across the country during National Small Business Week (NSBW). 2017 winners were recognized during the SBA Portland District’s annual awards luncheon on May 3 at the Portland Art Museum.
Image Credit: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USSBA/bulletins/1df3d18
Sources:
https://www.sba.gov/about-sba/sba-newsroom/press-releases-media-advisories/sba-portland-district-office-hosts-2017-small-business-week-awards-luncheon-may-3
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USSBA/bulletins/1df3d18
