2023 Mother in
Business Awards
Celebrating the Boss-Mom!
By Karli Kratzenberg
As the world continues to change, so do the roles that women. Today, mothers are not only raising their children but also pursuing their passions in the business world. The Glendale Chamber and March of Dimes have partnered to recognize and award three shining examples of Mothers in Business.
The Mom Entrepreneur, Mom Executive, and Mom Manager are all stand-out women who have managed to balance their demanding careers with the responsibilities of motherhood. These AWE-inspiring Moms are setting a positive example for women in all fields who seek to achieve their goals and maintain strong family bonds.
The Mom Entrepreneur award goes to Karina Diaz Ortega, CEO – Certified Legal Document Preparer at Diaz Legal Services, LLC. She has taken a risk by starting her own business. She has poured her heart and soul into her venture and has managed to make it a success. She celebrates every victory and learns from every defeat. Her children see firsthand the determination it takes to make a dream a reality.
“I always knew I was destined for greatness. I don't say that to sound arrogant or cocky but I truly believe that women need to be unapologetically confident. For too long we have been told to sit quietly and look pretty. But in reality, when we stand in our power and start to manifest the things we want to achieve, our potential becomes limitless.”
– Karina Diaz Ortega
The Mom Executive award goes to Victoria Franks, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Midwestern University. She is a leader in her field. She has worked hard to climb the corporate ladder and has done so while maintaining her focus on her family. She manages to inspire those around her to work hard and play hard, setting an example that success can be achieved without sacrificing family time.
“I am humbled and honored to be the recipient of the 2023 Mom Executive Award. Balancing motherhood, a career, and being a wife is certainly challenging but also incredibly rewarding; although it was hard at the beginning, I think achieving the acceptance of non-perfection has helped me keep a good work-life balance…My beautiful daughter has always been my reason to do what I do; by seeing that I’m happy pursuing my professional goals, I hope she will be empowered to do the same.”
– Victoria Franks
The Mom Manager award goes to Susan Leon, Work-Based Learning Specialist at West-MEC. She is a true Jill-of-all-trades. She effectively juggles multiple tasks and responsibilities each day. She is the glue that keeps her team together and her ability to stay organized is inspiring. Her children see the importance of being able to balance multiple priorities without letting anything slip through the cracks.
“It is hard to describe how becoming a mom changed my life. Before growing our family, I focused on growing myself, seeking as much career growth and opportunities as possible. When I became a mom, that desire didn’t go away, but my children helped me to redistribute that drive into the most rewarding elements in my life.”
– Susan Leon
These women are more than just successful businesswomen. They are also devoted mothers who have managed to find a balance between their passion for their careers and their love for their families. Their commitment to both is nothing short of awe-inspiring.
“At the Glendale Chamber, we believe working moms can power through issues and problems with grit and resilience, because their parenting responsibilities have trained them well. In fact, women who are working and raising children at the same time have strength and empathy that sets them apart. Additionally, they help their children understand the importance of a career, and they encourage them to work hard to pursue their dreams. And we love our moms!” Says Robert Heidt, president & CEO of the Glendale Chamber of Commerce.”
– Robert Heidt,
Glendale Chamber President & CEO
To the Mom Entrepreneur, Mom Executive, and Mom Manager recipients of the 2023 Mother in Business awards, we say congratulations! Your dedication to your families and profession is remarkable, and we are proud to honor your achievements. May you continue to inspire and motivate women everywhere to pursue their dreams and achieve their goals while maintaining strong family bonds.