Board Members

The oldest of 4 and a second-generation Cuban-American, Vanessa M. Chaviano was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Later moving throughout South Florida her family settled in Cape Coral before high school.

Early in life, Vanessa quickly learned how to adapt and overcome life’s unexpected obstacles. At the age of 11 she took on the responsibility of cooking and cleaning for her family while also helping to raise her infant sister when her brother was diagnosed with brain cancer. This pivotal time taught her how to be independent and work hard.

As high school graduation approached Vanessa mentally made the decision to continue working and not pursue a college education since her family could not afford it. Through her mother’s persistence and persuasion, she decided to go to college and just pay her way through. When Vanessa arrived at Florida Gulf Coast University she learned she had received the Bright Futures Scholarship as well as a few other small outside grants. It was at that point she decided to take advantage of the opportunity. 

She earned a double Bachelors degree and then pursued a Masters degree in Criminal Justice & Forensics. Later on in her career she earned her Masters in Business Administration with a focus on Organizational Leadership. She had her eyes set high on the corporate ladder when she realized of the top 18 leaders in the company, only 5 were women and only 1 was of ethnic decent. This revelation is what sparked the launch of Leading Latina. She continues to pursue personal and professional growth while being active in her community.

Currently, Vanessa is a member of the Cape Coral Rotary Foundation, a Board Member on teh Cape Coral Mayor Schoarship Foundation, Wish Grantor Volunteer with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and a Committee Member on the Dress For Success SWFL Fashion Show Event. She is also a wife and proud mother to two beautiful girls. In her free time she likes to travel, relax at the beach or spend time with family and friends. 

Born on “the island of enchantment” (“la isla del encanto”) to parents who hailed from the Bronx and Camden, NJ, Karin Michelle Rivera grew up in Cape Coral, FL – so she comes by her appreciation for a wide range of people and cultures naturally.

Working since she was 14, Ms. Rivera has carved out a diverse career in marketing that has included owning a successful spa/salon. During her more than ten years in the industry, Karin has worked for companies like Haystak Digital Marketing, Manheim Auto Auctions, Caldwell and Kerr Advertising and more - leading their marketing/advertising efforts while providing results that fostered continual growth, increased corporate bottom lines and contributed to creating a culture of genuine team comradery.

When not leading her clients’ marketing efforts, Karin devotes some of her time to helping herself and others grow mentally, emotionally and spiritually. She is a positive person who radiates warmth and a genuine desire to improve the community and world she lives in.

Karin also enjoys running barefoot in the rain with her son, whipping up a delicious authentic Latin American meal for her family and continuing her education in leadership and personal growth.

Aida Proenza is the eldest of 3 children and a first-generation Cuban American. Aida’s parents escaped the Communist regime of Cuba in 1956 just before Fidel Castro came into power. They came to the United States separately and met at a New Year’s Eve Party in New York. They were later married and moved to New Jersey. Aida was born in Belleville, New Jersey and lived in Newark, New Jersey until she was 15 years old. She and her family moved to Elizabeth, New Jersey where she remained until March of 1992.

Aida met her first husband at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey and in 1984 became a mother at the age of twenty-two to a set of twin girls. Unable to finish school, she also found herself divorced and raising the then 7-month-old twin girls on her own. In 1992 she packed up her belongings and her then 8-year-old twin daughters into her 1990 Toyota Corolla and drove to Florida. In 1993 Aida met her second husband and later gave birth to a son in 1994 and then a daughter in 1995. Finding herself divorced for the second time and raising 4 children on her own ranging in age from 12 years to 12 months, she was also faced with coping with her 16-month-old son’s diagnosis of stage 4 brain cancer.

Education was very important to Aida and she has remained in constant pursuit of her degree. Aida currently attends Florida SouthWestern State College in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in Health Information Technology. Aida has worked in the medical field on the Administrative side for over twenty years. She’s worked for Anthem, Inc. for the last six years as a Medicare Risk Adjustment Auditor and is part of their Open Enrollment Ambassador Program (OEAP). She is a member of both the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) and the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and is on the AAPC Coding Advisory Committee.

Aida is also a Wish Grantor Volunteer with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. She serves on both the Cape Coral Technical College (CCTC) and Fort Myers Technical College (FMTC) Advisory Board Committees and is a World Vision Sponsor. She is the proud mother of four beautiful children and five grandchildren. She is also the primary caretaker of her 90-year-old father with Alzheimer’s. In her free time, she likes to travel, practice range shooting, going to the gym and spending time with her grandchildren, family and friends.

Brittany Belaunzaran is the youngest of four children and a second generation Cuban-American. Born in Naples, Florida and later moving throughout South Florida her family settled in Cape Coral. She graduated Suma Cum Ladue from Cape Coral High School in 2014. Her senior year she began working at Honda of Ft. Myers where she stayed for the next four years while taking classes at Florida Southwestern State College. The last 2 years she has been working full time for the City of Ft. Myers and is still a full-time student. Brittany is studying in the Medical Coding program through Fort Myers Technical College and plans to be done by the end of 2020 and pass her certification exam by Fall 2021. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, going to the beach and spending time with friends and family. 

Tiana Maria Burgos Nieves, was born in Brooklyn, New York. Her parents Antonio and Sylvia Burgos moved to Cape Coral, Florida in 1987. In 1994, her parents decided to move the family to Puerto Rico. From a young age, Tiana had to learn to be an adult. It was hard but not impossible. Her parents always taught her that each goal and dream we want in life can be reached only if we work hard, be honest to ourselves and never lose faith in God. Living in Puerto Rico for so many years taught her how to love being LATINA but more importantly being Puertorriqueña. 

In 2013 Tiana made a life changing decision to move back to Florida. She loved being close to her family and needed a new beginning. She was blessed to start working in a marketing firm without any prior marketing knowledge. Today, Tiana is Manager of Digital Marketing & Web Management for a well-known company. Her Spanish accent and English grammar isn’t perfect but with hard work and determination, she’s accomplished everything she wanted. Tiana believed in herself and was blessed with the right people to helping her succeed in life. A blessing till this day!

With her life experiences, she wants to help others believe in themselves. Work hard to be successful in their professional and spiritual life, and to never give up their dreams.

“The idea that a woman can be as powerful as a man is something that our society can’t deal with. But I am as powerful as a man and it drives them crazy.” – Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez