​North Shore Hispanic Chamber of Commerce's Gala a Great Success!

Glen Cove, NY — December 29, 2023 — The North Shore Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (NSHCC) set the stage for an extraordinary celebration on December 20th at Glen Cove’s The Metropolitan. The event marked the Chamber's Annual Gala and Awards Ceremony, bringing together community leaders, distinguished guests, and honorees for a night of recognition, camaraderie, and festivity.

Awards were presented to the following outstanding individuals and organizations: Bryce Klatsky (The 2023 Cultural and Educational Community Award), Barba • Looks to Love • Prodigy (Business Award Honorees), Orazio E. Bencivenni and Ugo Mario Bencivenni (Community Award Recipients), Bolivar Corella, Soraida Corella, Nelson Rivera, Judith Rivera, Aimee Bryan, Patricia Barbosa-Ramos (Distinguished Past Board Members and Contributors Honorees), Felipe Villatoro (American Dream Award), Connie Pinilla, Esq. (Trailblazer Award), Denky Begonja (Great Achiever Award), North Shore Key Club (Community Organization of the Year Award).

On hand to welcome guests and present awards were NSHCC board members Connie Pinilla, Esq. (President), Ever Padilla (1st President), Gaitley Stevenson-Mathews (2nd Vice President), Lisa Golden, Esq. (Legal Counsel), and Nadia Vee (Sponsorship Officer).

Alongside the awards ceremony, Glen Cove Mayor Pam Panzenbeck extended a warm welcome. Citations were presented by President Pinilla on behalf of Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, and by James McCaffrey representing on behalf of Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino. There was a keynote address delivered by President Connie Pinilla, Esq. The address was shared in Spanish by 1st Vice President Ever Padilla, and 2nd Vice President Gaitley Stevenson-Mathews led all gathered in singing "The Star-Spangled Banner."

President Connie Pinilla shared her appreciation, saying, "As the President of the North Shore Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all the sponsors who played a pivotal role in making our Annual Gala and Awards Ceremony a resounding success. We are immensely appreciative of our Gold Sponsors, Prodigy Consulting Group, TD Bank and Rivera Agency, as well as Silver Sponsors CareFirst Home Solutions and Golden Hirschhorn LLP. A special acknowledgment goes to our Program Sponsors, including Gaitley Stevenson-Mathews, Padilla Productions, Santa Fe FC, Padilla Barbershop, Tazumal Restaurant, Dominican Stylist, The Connie Pinilla Team at Compass, and Golden Hirschhorn. This support is instrumental in the success of our endeavors, and we are truly grateful. Also, thank you to all of our own Board Members for donating baskets and to Dr. Eve Lupenko-Ferrant."

Leaders from the community and elected officials who attended the celebration included Mayor Pam Panzenbeck, Councilwoman Marsha Silverman, Councilmember-Elect Michael Ktistakis, Former Sea Cliff Mayor Ed Lieberman, and Former Councilwoman Eve Lupenko.

Here is a list of the distinguished honorees and their accomplishments.

Felipe Villatoro - American Dream Award
El Tazumal, named after a Mayan archaeological site in El Salvador, opened in Glen Cove in 1986. Since then, its well-seasoned griddle has likely produced close to a million pupusas. After escaping war-torn El Salvador in the 1970s, Felipe and Blanca Villatoro found themselves in Glen Cove. Felipe initially worked at the Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, rising to the position of dining room supervisor. At the time, there were only a few Salvadoran restaurants in Hempstead and Mineola, none on the North Shore. Felipe, aware of Salvadorans working in nearby country clubs, expected their patronage. The first decade saw mainly Salvadoran clientele, but now, there's a diverse mix, including patrons from Peru, Colombia, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and non-Latino Americans. El Tazumal is a true family affair, with sons Henry and Edward working alongside Felipe and Blanca. Edward, in addition to being a chef at Waterzooi in Port Washington, studies Salvadoran cooking.

Bryce Klatsky - 2023 Cultural and Educational Community
Bryce Klatsky grew up in nearby Carle Place and attended Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs. At Skidmore, Bryce was a history major and English literature minor. After graduating Magna Cum Laude from Skidmore College, Bryce won a prestigious Fulbright Teaching Assistantship and went to Austria to teach English. Having found joy and fulfillment in teaching, Bryce applied for the New York Teaching Fellows program and completed his training at Brooklyn College while beginning his career at The Urban Assembly School of Design and Construction. Bryce completed his master’s in educational leadership at Hunter College. Bryce joined the Glen Cove City School District as the K-12 ELA coordinator before becoming the Connolly Elementary School Principal. His work in the district is focused on celebrating and improving academic excellence while creating a more inclusive school community.

Ugo Mario Bencivenni - Community Award Recipient
Born in 1968, Ugo Mario Bencivinni moved to Glen Cove in 1969. He is married with two children and, together with his family, purchased Frank’s Beverages in 1991. Mario attended St. Rita’s School and St. Mary’s in Manhasset. He decided to join the family businesses, initially working in Delicious Pizza before acquiring Frank’s Beverages. A lover of Cadillacs, Mario is a member of the Cadillac Club and manages the family's real estate portfolio. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family.

Oracio Bencivenni - Community Award Recipient
Oracio Bencivenni was born in Palermo, Sicily, Italy, and migrated to the US at the age of 15. Settling in Brooklyn in 1967, he married and had two boys and one girl. Oracio started "Delicious Pizza" in 1966 with his father and brother, running it for 40 years. He also ran V&G Plastic for 10 years before retiring at the age of 64. Currently residing in Glen Cove since 1969, Oracio spends his time playing cards and cherishing moments with his family.

Elvis Abreu - Business Award Honoree
Elvis Abreu is associated with several businesses, including Barba Trims & Shaves Inc. (CEO), Paradigm Acquisitions Group Inc. (CEO), Alumni Marketing Group, Inc. (CEO), Catch the Wave Yachts LLC (Co-founder), Avere llc (CMO Co-founder), and is also a philanthropist. Elvis is a well-rounded businessman dedicated to his ventures, particularly Barba trims & shaves, where luxury and indulgence in men’s grooming are paramount. Beyond his business commitments, Elvis actively participates in charitable acts and takes pride in being part of the community.

Lisbeth Abreu - Business Award Honoree

Lisbeth Abreu, founder and owner of Looks 2 Love by Lis, has been in the beauty industry for over 12 years. After serving as the Director of Operations for a prestigious consulting company, she decided to follow her heart and open the ultimate “one-stop shop.” She wanted to bring that lavish New York City feel to Glen Cove. She has poured her heart and soul into her business, offering everything from hair, nails, eyelash extensions, teeth whitening, waxing, facials, body contour, massages, hair laser removal, Emsculpt, and can now offer fillers, Botox, threads, etc. Last but not least, since her passion began with makeup and now having a dedicated pro-makeup studio, it has been a dream come true.

Elizabeth Polke - Business Award Honoree
Elizabeth Polke, Founder & CEO of Avere LLC, All Choice Energy LLC, and Prodigy Consultant Group Inc., boasts over 20 years of experience in the Direct Sales Industry. Passionate about helping others change their lives financially, Elizabeth is dedicated to giving back to her community through charitable events and her own Foundation, providing underprivileged families in Ecuador with food and presents during the Christmas holiday. Elizabeth immigrated to the United States at the age of 12 and, witnessing her parents' struggles, developed a strong work ethic and determination to change her family's trajectory.

Bolivar Corella - Distinguished Past Board Member and Contributor of the Chamber Honoree
Bolivar Corella, a visionary leader and pioneer, has made a significant impact on his community through his extraordinary life and achievements. With a background in radiology technology, healthcare administration, and soccer coaching, Bolivar's professional journey includes roles at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and the New York Red Bulls Youth Soccer. He continues to shape and inspire others, leaving a lasting influence on his field and beyond.
Soraida Corella - Distinguished Past Board Member and Contributor of the Chamber Honoree
Soraida Corella migrated to New York with her son to join her husband, a missionary leader and pioneer. With a career spanning the United States Postal Service and involvement in the Glen Cove Soccer Travel Team and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Soraida is a dedicated and responsible worker and community advocate. She continues to inspire others with her unconditional kindness.

Judith Rivera - Distinguished Past Board Member and Contributor of the Chamber Honoree
Former Treasurer and Public Relations Director for The North Shore Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New York, Judith Rivera currently serves as the Director of Community Relations at CareFirst Home Solutions. With a rich professional background, including roles at The Atria Glen Cove, Herald newspaper group, Richner Communications, Inc., Bethpage Investment Strategies, and Warren Lewis Real Estate, Judith is a dedicated professional known for building long-term relationships. She is a board member of The Glen Cove Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Gold Coast Business Association, and North Shore Kiwanis. Apart from her professional achievements, Judith has extensive dance and acting experience, having worked with renowned companies and appeared in various productions. She is also the owner of Miss Judy’s Dance Studio at Ballroom Legacy in Sea Cliff, NY.

Aimey Bryan - Distinguished Past Board Member and Contributor of the Chamber Honoree
Aimey Bryan, the owner of Agency Marketing Pro and Bryan Insurance, has been a resident of Glen Cove for the past 13 years. A community-involved individual, Aimey is active in PTAs, supports schools, and enjoys spending time outdoors with her two children.

Nelson Rivera Jr - Distinguished Past Board Member and Contributor of the Chamber Honoree
Nelson Rivera Jr has a rich professional history spanning over two decades, with a focus on insurance and financial services. As the founder of the Rivera Agency, he has expanded its reach and services, emphasizing community service. Nelson is deeply committed to various causes, actively contributing time and resources to organizations such as the Glen Cove YMCA, Glen Cove PD, Port Washington Fire Department, and the Nicholas Pedone Foundation. Academically, a graduate of Glen Cove High School with a Bachelor of Business Administration from Hofstra University, Nelson actively contributes to the industry and community.

Patricia Barbosa-Ramos - Distinguished Past Board Member and Contributor of the Chamber Honoree

Patricia Barbosa-Ramos is the founder of Stetik Spa and Beauty, a full-service salon and spa for both men and women located in Westbury since 2014, where she presently serves as the Spa Director.

Patricia is also a Certified Aesthetics Instructor, currently teaching and preparing new students for their NYS Board exams to obtain licensing.
With 25 years of experience in the mortgage industry, Patricia serves as a Loan Originator, focusing on residential financing as well as commercial lending.
Additionally, Patricia has served as the secretary for the North Shore Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, where she actively contributed to community events and facilitated the growth of new members.

In Patricia's own words, "Being able to help others and make a difference in their lives is my greatest gratitude. Whether it's assisting a family in making their dream of homeownership come true, guiding my students to pursue their dreams, or providing a facial for any of my clients, it brings me an unexplainable joy. I am grateful for every day, everyone in my life, and all that I have had and currently possess."

Denky Begonja - Great Achiever Award

Denky Begonja is a seasoned graphic designer with over a decade of professional experience. She has demonstrated her expertise in various roles at prominent companies, including Computer Associates, iSheriff, Total Defense, and Teq, where she contributed to projects in systems software, cybersecurity, and technology and professional development solutions. Following her success in these roles, Denky transitioned to RingLead, a leading Software as a Service (SaaS) application focused on sales and marketing automation.

In her current role as a UX/UI Designer at ZoomInfo, a renowned company in sales intelligence software and applications, Denky continues to excel and contribute to the field. Her commitment extends beyond her professional endeavors. As a first-generation daughter of Peruvian immigrants, she deeply values the lessons of education, hard work, and seizing opportunities that her parents instilled in her from a young age.

Her dedication to her heritage and community is evident through her active involvement with the North Shore Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, where she has served as the secretary for the past year. Alongside her husband, Ljubo Dennis, and daughter, Orietta Begonja, Denky is passionate about giving back to her community and honoring her Hispanic heritage. Her journey reflects a blend of professional achievement and personal commitment to cultural and community engagement.

Constanza Pinilla, Esq. - Trailblazer Award
Born in Bogota, Colombia, and raised in New York, Constanza “Connie” Pinilla, a New York licensed attorney, is an American at heart with a Latina soul. It is those very roots that have guided her exceptional legal and real estate broker work in NYC, Queens, Nassau, and the Hamptons. Highly fond of education, she completed her degree at New York University with a B.A. in Economics and later at St. John’s University School of Law with a Juris Doctorate Degree. After devoting 18 years on Wall Street working for the Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation, Pinilla launched her own private practice, The Pinilla Law Firm P.C., where she has served her community with over 20 years of experience in real estate transactions, matrimonial, and bankruptcy law.

Pinilla’s dedication has gained her the sponsorship of Compass of Greater New York, where she is the Principal Real Estate Agent, managing 'The Connie Pinilla Team'. Her sales portfolio includes the sale of multi-million-dollar-plus residential and commercial real estate. As the President of the North Shore Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, alongside her fellow board members, Pinilla has been able to establish the Chamber as a unifying and bolstering resource for the Latino community—an organization that would come to serve as a lifeboat amidst the COVID-19 crisis. Through the Chamber, Pinilla coordinates various food drives, feeding thousands of people, and provides educational webinars/seminars in Spanish and English to bring critical information to its membership, small businesses, and the community. She initiated the annual North Shore Hispanic Scholarship program for Hispanic students who are college-bound.

She is also a Board member of the North Shore Kiwanis Club, First Vice President of Tribute and Honor Foundation, Member of the Long Island Board of Realtors, Hispanic Bar Association, and a duly licensed attorney in the State of New York and Connecticut. She was just named Herald Person of the Year 2023. Connie Pinilla raised her lovely daughter, Connie Intranova, in Nassau County, who then went on to receive her education at Penn State University. Connie Pinilla continues to share a heart and soul dedicated to elevating and sustaining the NYC and Nassau/Suffolk Latino community with great integration and loyalty to, and admiration of her beloved United States of America.

North Shore Key Club - Community Organization of the Year Award
The North Shore Key Club, founded four decades ago at North Shore High School, has been a beacon of strong leadership and dedicated community service since its inception. Consistently ranking among the top 10 clubs in New York State, the club has achieved remarkable success in its projects. Notably, they have secured the #1 position consecutively in the state for their initiatives. One of their past projects, aimed at supporting juvenile diabetes, earned them international acclaim as they secured the top spot globally. This project featured both a service component and a fundraising element, generating an impressive $17,000 for the JDB Foundation. In the previous year, their major project focused on Mommas House, securing the #1 position in New York State and a noteworthy second place at the International Convention. With a current membership of 55 dedicated individuals, the North Shore Key Club operates as a cohesive team, diligently working to make a positive impact on their community.

For more information about the Chamber and membership opportunities, please visit www.nshchamber.org.