YWCA Corpus Christi will honor six Coastal Bend women at the 42nd Annual Y Women in Careers Awards in March.
Another woman will be recognized as a Rising Star, a new award given to a young woman who shows promise in her field.
The seven women announced on Tuesday are:
- Coral Dvorachik Carey, Realtor, South Coast Real Estate and Symmetry Commercial Management
- Kelly O’Donnell Gonzalez, Chief Operating Officer, ValueBank Texas
- Peggy W. Hatcher, Chief of Chemical Processes, Corpus Christi Army Depot.
- Cathy Snyder Hubner, Certified Professional Landscape Designer at Gill Garden Center and Landscape Co.
- Julia Kriegel, CEO of Oneta Corp.
- Eileen Longoria, Head of Vocational Rehabilitation at Texas Workforce Solutions
- Brandi Moss, Corpus Christi Police Captain
Carey is a Rising Star Award winner.
Since 1979, the Y Women in Careers Award has honored women in Coastal Bend for their professional achievement and inducted them into the Hall of Fame. Since its inception, the YWCA has awarded more than 300 women.
An anonymous group of community leaders reviewed the nominations and made a selection.
Della Meadows, president of the YWCA board of directors, said the awards ceremony honored women who “broke stereotypes and paved the way.”
“These women are success stories, role models and our leaders,” Meadows told the YWCA crowd. “We honor these women for their accomplishments, for the paths they have blazed, and for leading them forward while giving back.”
Coral Yard Carey
Carey has opened her own boutique-style brokerage firm, South Coast Real Estate, where she mentors and supports a group of in-house agents and property managers.
She is also a partner in Symmetry Commercial Management, according to the YWCA.
Carey’s mother, local artist Dina Bowman, was the recipient of the Y Women in Careers Awards in 1996.
“I think that being honored makes it even more special for me because I have a lot of respect for what my mother has achieved,” Carey said. “I have been involved in this association and have seen the amazing level of women that have been recognized. To be added is a huge recognition and honor.”
Kelly O’Donnell Gonzalez
In her 26 years at ValueBank, Gonzalez’s responsibilities include bank deposit operations and financial operations.
As a member of the executive committee, the strategic planning committee, and the information technology committee, she is responsible for the bank’s disaster recovery program. Gonzalez recently led the recovery of four bank branches affected by Hurricane Harvey and the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We women play a very important role in society,” Gonzalez said. “We are good at doing business and finding time to help others. You should always believe in yourself and always surround yourself with people who believe in you.”
Peggy W. Hatcher
Hatcher joined the Corpus Christi Army Depot as a chemist in 2012. She is currently the Warehouse’s Chemical Process Manager and develops processes for many areas, including welding, water treatment, and electroplating.
It actively cooperates with the US Army, US Navy, US Air Force, NASA and many others. Hatcher is a recipient of the Army Lifetime Achievement Medal and is a member of the American Chemical Society and the Army Aviation Association of America.
“I love my job, it’s selfless service,” Hatcher said. “I’m not used to being recognized. I always try to be a role model without being a role model. My mindset is leadership, not management.”
Kathy Snyder Hubner
Hubner has designed landscapes over a 35-year career from Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, to Dallas.
She manages small and large commercial landscaping installations, manages teams of contractors and crews, and oversees landscaping plans. In an effort to change perception in her field, Hubner has dedicated time to mentoring up-and-coming female designers.
In a male-dominated industry, Huebner said, “I can set an example for others to rise up the ranks. Women can achieve almost anything they want. They must be willing to work hard, to ask for what they need. , learn and respect others.”
Julia Kriegel
Kriegel is the COO of Oneta Corp., which operates several Corpus Christi companies including Pepsi, Everest Water and Sunrise Vending.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Kriegel has not laid off any of her 215 employees. She took over her family company and was named Pepsi-Cola Manufacturer of the Year by Donald M. Kendall in 2018.
“There are a lot of women in business in our community,” Kriegel said. “We work hard and deserve our recognition.”
Eileen Longoria
For over 28 years, with Texas Workforce Solutions rehabilitation services, Longoria has been helping people with disabilities prepare, gain, retain, and advance.
Currently, the vocational rehabilitation supervisor leading a team of 14 has surpassed her goals with a 114% success rate in 2021 and 126% in 2022.
Longoria said that if she could say anything to her 16-year-old self, it would be to “carry on.”
“You have to be true to yourself, be strong and confident,” Longoria said. “To be honored is recognition of all the work I have done and achievement as a woman.”
Brandi Moss
Moss worked for the Corpus Christi Police Department for 24 years.
She began her career as a crime scene investigator before becoming a police officer. Moss is currently the captain of the Patrol Division of the Operations Bureau and the highest-ranking woman in the police department.
“I was surrounded by a lot of good male officers who respected me for my position,” Moss said. “I had to earn it like everyone else – sometimes, I think, a little harder than others. But you always have to believe in yourself.”
The Y Women in Careers Awards is open to the public, seats or tables cost between $85 and $10,000. All funds go to YWCA programs.
At the ceremony, all women will have a short interview, as well as a video showing some of the milestones in their lives.
Tickets and more information can be found at ywcacc.org.
If you go
- WHAT KIND: 43rd Women in Career Awards
- WHEN: 18:00 Thursday, March 2
- WHERE: Watergarden American Bank Center Room at 1901 N. Shoreline Blvd.
- PRICE: $85 to $10,000
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John Oliva covers South Texas entertainment and community news. Contact him at [email protected] or Twitter. @johnpoliva.
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