Hispanic-American Professional and Business Women’s Association

Founded in 1997, HAPBWA is a non-for profit organization and the oldest of it’s kind in the Central Florida Community.

If you are a Hispanic-American professional and business woman new to our area, join us. Become and active member of our organization and

Be part of the Future of Central Florida!

Thanks to our 2009-2011 Board Installation Luncheon Sponsors:

Meet the Board of 2009- 20011 Directors

HAPBWA's History 

A group of Hispanic women met to discuss the need for a Hispanic women’s organization. The organization was envisioned as a mechanism to bring Hispanic professionals and businesswomen together to set strategies and create a women’s network in order to advance their professional and business interests.

 The Hispanic-American Professional and Business Women’s Association (HAPBWA) was created and incorporated on March 5, 1997.  The first elected president of the Board of Directors was Ileana Cariaso.  Past presidents include: Attorney María de Jesús-Fernández, Lizette Valarino, Soraya Márquez, Nede Mansour, Mildred Fernández, Dora Casanova de Toro, Liza Ordoñez, Anna Díaz, Carmen Velázquez and Lucy Meléndez.