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New York, NY The New York Women’s Chamber of Commerce (NYWCC) CEO and president Quenia Abreu has been awarded top honors for leadership a total of four times in under six months. On October 11, towards the close of Hispanic Heritage Month, Abreu was named to Crain’s New York Business’ Notable Hispanic Leaders and Executives following her inclusion in September among City & State’s The Power of Diversity: Latino 100. This July, she was voted the Civic Diversity Hero by Crain’s New York Business, following being named one of City & State’s MWBE Power 50 in May.
Close to 35% of NYWCC members are owners of construction, construction-related or real estate firms. Throughout the pandemic, the NYWCC has worked diligently to help over 650 MWBEs (minority and women-owned business enterprises) survive including 225 in construction or real estate. Abreu founded the first women’s chamber of commerce in the City and State in 2002. Today the NYWCC represents over 7,000 women and minority owned businesses and has helped create over 10,000 businesses and enabled entrepreneurs to access $45 million in capital and $65 million in procurement contracts.
Crain’s October listing noted that the Notable Hispanic Leaders and Executives have “an ability to break through artificial ceilings in the workplace and help mentor and elevate other diverse professionals.” The publication added that there is a long way to go as Hispanic leaders total just 4.5% of executives Citywide and 4% nationwide.
City & State’s listing of the Latino 100 credited Latinos as “a rising force in U.S. politics.” The publication celebrated influential Hispanics serving in various capacities including public service, business, advocacy and nonprofits.
In a virtual ceremony livestreamed on July 15, Crain’s New York Business named Abreu its Civic Diversity Hero, making her one of just eight individuals and three companies selected among 37 finalists to win Crain’s inaugural Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion Award. The honor celebrated “New York City individuals and businesses …leading by example and holding themselves and others accountable for diversity and inclusion initiatives.”
The May City & State’s first ever MWBE Power 50 honored the contractors, public officials, industry leaders and advocates behind increased participation for MWBEs.
Born in the Dominican Republic and raised in New York City, Quenia Abreu grew up supported by, in her words, “a village of strong women.”
Since the pandemic’s onset last year, the NYWCC has instituted a regular series of over 100 virtual and in-person programs advising MWBEs of coping strategies and worked directly with communities to help struggling small business owners reopen and procure grants and PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) loans.
Due to her ongoing collaboration with elected officials and community leaders to help pass Local Law 129, now MWBE Local Law 1, and Article 15-A which mandate MWBE participation in City and State projects, Abreu became a member of the M/WBE Advisory Boards for Mayor de Blasio and the School Construction Authority. She was recently appointed to a statewide board guiding the reopening strategy during COVID-19.
Abreu also launched the MWBE Center and Women’s Microenterprise Institute and helped more than 5,000 business owners apply for MWBE certification.
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