March is National Women's History Month.

To celebrate the annual national celebration of the contributions of women in history and contemporary society, AL DÍA hosts its premier recognition of U.S. Latinas and multicultural women in leadership in our region and beyond. 

The AL DÍA Women of Merit is a media event focused on acknowledging and celebrating the new faces emerging in positions of leadership. 

This year, a total of 15 women will be honored in five categories: Corporate, Education, Entrepreneurship, Non-profit, and public service. 

To help with the selection of these honorees, AL DÍA put together an advisory board consisting of 12 of the most prominent women leaders in the region, those who represent the changing demographics in these five areas, along with many more. 

Meet the 2022 AL DÍA Women of Merit advisory board: 

Co-Chairs

• Sue Jacobson, President of Jacobson Strategic Communications

Sue Jacobson is an award-winning communicator, strategist and advisor. The founder of Jacobson Strategic Communications, she leads one of the region’s leading public relations, public affairs and crisis management firms. 

In addition to running her business, Jacobson is the current chairwoman of the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia, the first woman to be appointed into the role in nearly 20 years. When the pandemic hit, she played a crucial role in launching and leading the “Recharge and Recover PHL” initiative, to provide short-term, actionable solutions to capitalize on the region’s strengths, rebuild the economy and get people back to work. 

Jacobson also serves as vice chair of the National PBS Foundation Board and as commissioner on the Governor’s Pennsylvania Commission for Women. 

• Jennifer Rodriguez, President & CEO of Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Jennifer Rodriguez is the president & CEO of the Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. In the role, Rodriguez is the driving force behind developing, promoting and advocating for Latino businesses in the region, representing more than 12,000 voices in the region. 

She also serves as a region 5 representative board member for the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Members

• Lydia Holiat, Vice President & Portfolio Manager at the Haverford Trust Company 

Lydia Holiat is the vice president & portfolio manager at the Haverford Trust Company, where she develops client and advisor relationships and manages investment portfolios. She is in charge of helping successful individuals and families achieve preservation of capital, growth of assets and income.  

• Mayra Bergman, Vice President of Communications at PECO

Mayra Bergman is the vice president of communications at PECO. In her current role, she oversees both external and internal communications, shapes communications strategies to engage with PECO’s 1.6 million electric customers and more than 532,000 natural gas customers, as well as 2,900 PECO employees working across the region.  

In addition to her role with PECO, Bergman also sits on the board of the Philly Ad Club. 

• Carolina DiGiorgio, President & CEO of Congreso de Latinos Unidos

Carolina DiGiorgio is the president & CEO of Congreso de Latinos Unidos. In the role, she oversees the functions of one of the top Latino-focused nonprofits in the nation, as well as Congreso Health Center and the Pan American Academy Charter School. 

DiGiorgio was also appointed to serve on the Pennsylvania delegation to the United States Global Advisory Commission, an organization dedicated to ensuring the United States’ continued role as a humanitarian leader across the globe.

She also serves as a board member for the Independence Blue Cross Foundation, is on the Philadelphia Lawyers for Social Equity Board, and the Nelson Foundation Board. 

• Regina Hairston, President & CEO at African- American Chamber of Commerce

Regina Hairston is a solutions-oriented and resourceful strategist who employs a creative approach to transforming visions into results. As president & CEO of the African-American Chamber of Commerce, helps guide the organization in promoting the voice, vision and value of black-owned businesses.

Since joining the Chamber, Hairston has taken the spirit of innovation and applied it to the needs of its growing members, facilitating the launch of programs to increase and provide direct access to capital, develop a unique peership and mentorship program, and leverage corporate partnerships for the success of Chamber members.  

• Zabeth Teelucksingh, Executive Director of the Global Philadelphia Association

Zabeth Teelucksingh is a seasoned, award-winning international executive who has spent her global career educating organizations and communities on the infinite rewards of thinking globally. 

Passionate about raising Philadelphia's global profile, since becoming executive director of the Global Philadelphia Association, Teelucksingh helped make Philadelphia the first World Heritage City in the U.S. She has also represented Philadelphia at numerous World Heritage meetings, traveling to Peru, Portugal, Italy, Germany, Poland, UK and South Korea.

• Loraine Ballard Morrill, Director of News and Community Affairs at iHeartMedia Philadelphia

Loraine Ballard Morrill is the award-winning director of news and community affairs at iHeartMedia Philadelphia, where she oversees news and community affairs for the six iHeart Philadelphia stations. She also coordinates community outreach and campaigns related to social media. 

Ballard Morrill is also the host of “Insight,” and “What’s Going On” on Sunday mornings. 

• Uva Coles, Founder & CEO of Inclusiva

Uva Coles is a workforce justice practitioner and diversity, equity and inclusion strategist who has had a deep commitment to organizational development and learning. 

In 2020, Coles founded and launched Inclusiva, the region’s premier incubator for inclusion and boutique consulting firm focused on designing inclusive workforce solutions aligned with each client’s strategic goals and values. 

Throughout her career, Cole has always leveraged her diverse background in building local-to-global partnerships, workforce development strategies, and multicultural community engagement to develop business solutions fully contextualized with best practices in diversity, equity and inclusion. 

• Sheila Hess, City Representative for City of Philadelphia

Sheila Hess is an effective leader and champion in the community. As city representative, she has been instrumental in an array of causes benefiting the homeless and children in need. 

Driven by purpose and passion, Hess has been a staunch steward of change, contributing her time and talents to forwarding the philanthropic missions of the area’s Variety The Children’s Charity, which provides assistance to children and youth with physical and developmental disabilities, as well as Fred’s Footsteps, a nonprofit that serves families with ill and injured children through financial assistance.

• Elizabeth Flores, Vice President of News for NBC10 and Telemundo62

Elizabeth Flores is a veteran TV news executive. As vice president of news for NBC10 and Telemundo62, she is responsible for leading the on-air and online news operations for both TV stations that serve English and Spanish-speaking viewers in the Greater Philadelphia region. 

Flores is also a three-time regional Emmy award-winning producer and a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. 

• Nelly Jimenez-Arevalo, Executive Director & CEO of ACLAMO

Nelly Jimenez-Arevalo is a nonprofit professional. As president & CEO of the nonprofit community service organization, she leads efforts in providing educational programs, social services, and access to health and wellness programs to Latinos and other community members, all with the goal of empowering them to fully achieve their life potential.

Given their experience and levels of expertise across so many different fields, the 12 women who make up this year's advisory board are true examples of women with merit.

Now the task stands to nominate other women within the region who are making tremendous impact in their fields of work. Nominations for the upcoming event will remain open until February 4. Once nominations close, the advisory board will be tasked with selecting the 15 women who will make up the 2022 AL DÍA Women of Merit. 

The 2022 AL DÍA Women of Merit will take place March 31, 2022. To purchase a ticket, click here.