100 HISPANIC WOMEN: LONG ISLAND PROGRAM
PAST EVENTS
2023-2024 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Kisha Chandler
President
Kisha Chandler is a Higher Education professional with extensive experience in operations management, project management, curriculum building, event management, and leadership. She is committed to relationship building, student success, and advocating for educational reform and equity. Kisha is currently the Director, LHVCCUC LSAMP at Molloy University. She directs the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation Program, supporting underrepresented minority students in STEM. Kisha is a Leaders of Color alumna and is the VP of Education for Prospanica. Additionally, Kisha is a doctorate student at Molloy University, a mom to two wonderful children, and a future marathon runner!
Dr. Sofia Pertuz
Vice-President
An engaged leader, Sofia serves as Vice President of the board for the Long Island chapter of 100 Hispanic Women. Sofia’s work is grounded in her lived experiences and a deep connection to her roots. She is an internationally recognized speaker on change management, Latina/o/x identity, and LGBTQ+ advocacy. She holds a PhD from Seton Hall University, is a Senior Certified Professional through the Society for Human Resource Management, and a Certified Diversity Executive®. Sofia’s consulting and coaching approach empowers clients to navigate challenges, recognize their brilliance, and achieve transformative career growth.
Helen Liriano
Corporate Secretary & Treasurer
As the Vice President for Finance and Administration Helen Liriano is a senior leadership employee with over twenty-five years’ experience. Helen specializes in financial reporting, project management, budgeting, banking, and decision making with a proven ability to effectively interact with and motivate others to achieve company goals. She has an MBA from Long Island University. Helen is dedicated to her work in the nonprofit industry and is inspired every day by her family; her husband, four kids and two dogs.
Liz Gutierrez
Social Media Chair
Liz Gutierrez immigrated from Colombia with her parents and brother at age 12, settling in Brentwood, Long Island, where she graduated from Brentwood High School. Her experience navigating the challenges faced by new immigrants—overcoming language barriers, adapting to new systems, and starting with very little—motivated her to pursue a career in communications focused on helping others, especially within her community.
With over 30 years of experience in media and communications, Liz is a seasoned expert in Spanish-language TV networks, public relations, and community outreach. She earned a Bachelor's degree in Media and Communications from SUNY Old Westbury and completed an entrepreneurship program at Hofstra University. In 2023, she founded "International Media Consulting," helping businesses connect with the rapidly growing Latino consumer market.
Liz began her career in journalism at Telemundo and WNBC, honing her reporting and storytelling skills. She then spent a decade at Univision Channel 41, where she served as a news assignment editor and later produced weekend newscasts. Liz transitioned to the public sector as a supervisor and Public Information Officer for the Long Island Railroad, managing social media platforms, website updates, public announcements, app communications, and providing critical real-time updates to commuters for over 11 years.
In addition to working independently as a marketing consultant, Liz also holds two key roles: she serves as the Marketing Director for Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County and as the Media Director for Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay. Committed to staying at the forefront of her field, Liz is currently pursuing a certification in Artificial Intelligence and Marketing through eCornell.
Alongside her professional roles, Liz is deeply committed to community service. She mentors high school students through the NY State Latina Mentoring Program and serves as a board member and social media chair for "100 Hispanic Women Long Island," helping to raise funds and scholarships for Latino college students. She also serves on the board of the Hispanic Counseling Center, supporting bilingual services for chemical dependency, mental health, and family programs across Nassau and Suffolk counties.
Recently, Liz expanded her entrepreneurial work by launching "Ella's Secret," a clothing brand inspired by her passion for empowering women and promoting body positivity.
A proud single mother of two, Liz’s life reflects hard work, resilience, and determination. Her 23-year-old son serves in the Army National Guard, while her 12-year-old daughter pursues her passion for dance.
Alicia McGrath
Board Member
Alicia McGrath has made service to others her life’s work. She is a senior level non-profit executive with over twenty-five years in leadership roles, working in the field of social services; specifically, programs supporting: individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities; behavioral health services; community residences; and workforce development programs. But her commitment to lifting up others does not end at the office door. Her private time is also packed with community service and supporting others. “My personal and professional mission is to lift up persons of color and Latinas specifically and to remove barriers and educate and advocate on diversity and inclusion in the workforce,” Ms. McGrath says. Both as an excellent administrator committed to quality infrastructures that facilitate social services and as an individual, reaching out to and inspiring young people getting their start, Ms. McGrath is committed to improving lives wherever she is.
In her current role Ms. McGrath is the President and CEO of Center for Family Support of NY and NJ supporting individuals with disabilities and supporting families . The organization is a $80 million human services organization with 1400 employees . Prior to her tenure at Center for Family Support Inc she was the Executive Vice President and had oversight of all programs of Goodwill NYNJ - a $50 million human services portfolio - which provides job placement, training, on-the-job coaching, and retention services for people who are unemployed or underemployed on their journey to employment, including people with disabilities and veterans.
Previous to her tenure at Goodwill NYNJ, Ms. McGrath as the Executive Director oversaw all administrative and operational responsibilities at Bethany House including fundraising, program development, and initiating partnerships to enhance support services for the multimillion-dollar portfolio of residential programs serving homeless women and families..
Despite the fact that her professional life is dedicated to helping others, Ms. McGrath continues her service in her personal life. As a Hispanic professional, she feels called to support other people of color, specifically Hispanics, along their journey to rewarding careers. To this end, she is a founder and current president of the board of 100 Hispanic Women National Inc.’s Long Island program, where she and like-minded Latina professionals fundraise for and grant scholarships to young Latinas in need of mentoring. Another aspect of her work with 100 Hispanic Women includes networking, wellness, and cultural events to support professional women already in the field. As always, she is not content just to sit behind a desk; she offers her time and energy to directly work with people. She is also a mentor to a young Latina as part of Governor Hochul’s mentoring initiative for Latinas .
Ms. McGrath’s contributions are beginning to be recognized. She was awarded with a Citation as a Community Leader from Assembly Persons Judy Griffin and Deborah Mule, for forming the 100 Hispanic Women Program on Long Island. She is also an alumnus of Leaders of Color Program 2022: part of Education Reform Now, a national think tank and advocacy organization that develops and drives forward bold, new ideas that can transform the American public education system from pre-school to and through higher education to better serve all students, especially low-income students and students of color.
She has presented at the SOMOS Conference in Albany on Pay Equity for Latinas with U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillebrand as the Keynote Speaker and Attorney General Letitia James as a speaker . She has also presented 100 Hispanic Women in Somos in Puerto Rico on Wellness Equity for Latinas. In 2023 she was asked to serve on a panel for Columbia University School of Professional Studies on Diversity and Career Pathways.
Alicia McGrath does not stop preparing herself for even larger, more impactful roles. Ms. McGrath earned a BS degree in Public Affairs, MA in Community and Economic Development, and a Women in Corporate Leadership Certificate from SUNY Empire College. She also holds an MBA in Management from SUNY Empire College. She received a certificate in Business Excellence from the Senior Leaders Program for Nonprofit Professionals at Columbia Business School, and an Executive Education Certificate at the Fordham University Center for Nonprofit Leaders. Ms. McGrath serves as the Board President of 100 Hispanic Women of Long Island, Board Trustee of BBB Foundation Board, Board Member of New York State Industries for the Disabled and ABCD Board Member.
Ms. McGrath lives with her husband in Long Island, loves to sail, read, and is a big fan of Flamenco music and dance.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT
presidentlongisland100hw@gmail.com
100hwlisecretary@gmail.com
OR FILL OUT THE FORM BELOW