2019 Latina of Influence Alissa Chavez | CEO of Assila LLC producers of the product HOT SEAT
Hispanic Lifestyle is pleased to recognize Alissa Chavez CEO of Assila LLC producers of the product HOT SEAT as a 2019 Latina of Influence. Ms. Chavez along with our entire list of 2019 Latinas of Influence are invited to participate in Latina Conference 2019 taking place April 10 and 11, 2019 in Ontario, California.
Alissa Chavez was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico by her mother. The daughter of a childcare owner, Alissa has always had a passion for working with children. The children she has worked with have also been the inspiration behind her innovative children’s products her company Assila LLC. Assila is her name backwards, inspired by Oprah’s Harpo. Alissa started her company at age 14 after hearing too many tragic stories of children dying from being accidentally left in a hot car. Alissa created Hot Seat to prevent this type of accident. She has gained national recognition and accolades as she has worked to bring her product to the market. Alissa has been a TEDX speaker, Glamour Magazine Women of the Year, 40 Under 40 and many more. She is also an ambassador for Technolochicas, an organization that encourages Latinas to explore careers in STEM, and Celebrities Who Give, an organization that organizes charity events led by ambassadors in a variety of fields.
Alissa was granted a patent for Hot Seat in 2017. She is believed to be the youngest Latina Patent holder in the United States. She has started work on her second product to be released spring of 2019. Alissa was recently featured in the book “Girls Thinking of Everything,” by award winning author Catherine Thimmesh. This book highlights the innovative creations made by women throughout history. Alissa is a full-time student at the University of New Mexico as well as CEO of her company Assila LLC. She loves to travel, loves animals and kids. Alissa plan to continue to grow her company and is inspired by the innovative minds that have come before her citing Walt Disney as her biggest inspiration. Alissa is a young woman of faith and gives credit to God and her mother for what she has been able to achieve to this point. Alissa will continue building her company with hopes of making a positive impact in this world.
Awards
2018- Featured in book “Girls Think of Everything” by Catherine Thimmesh 2018- Future Founders U.Pitch 3rd Place Winner
2018- Future Founders U.Pitch Semifinalist
2018- Univision Premios Juventud
2018- 40 Under 40 Albuquerque Business First
2018- University of New Mexico Rainforest Pitch Competition Winner 2017-Gold American Business Award, Tech Startup of the Year
2017- Silver American Business Award, Tech Startup of the Year, Hardware
2017- Bronze American Business Award, Tech Startup of the Year, Software
2017- New Mexico Small Business Success Story presented by Sandia National Labs
2017- Innovation New Mexico Honoree
2015- Glamour Magazine Women of the Year Tech Heroes- http://www.glamour.com/story/women-tech-heroes-of-the-year
2015- Glamour Magazine Women of the Year Hometown Heroes- http://www.glamour.com/gallery/inspiring-women-of-the-year-from-around-america
2014- Design Good 9 Inspiring Teen Girls, #2 behind Malala Yousafzai!- http://designgood.com/inspiring-teen-girls/
2014- Good Samaritan Award from Mayor Richard Berry of Albuquerque, New Mexico-https://www.cabq.gov/mayor/news/young-entrepreneur-honored-for-life-saving-invention
2014- Teen Business- http://www.teenbusiness.com/top20-2014/
2014- Excellence Award” Albuquerque Public School District
Nominated by Letty Velez
I wanted to nominate Alissa Chavez the CEO of Hot Seat, because she has created the most incredible, life saving product for babies & young children that are left unattended in a car for too long & they die. Her story inspires me for so many reasons, first she is a Latina in STEM, 2nd she cares so much about kids & their well wellbeing. She felt a sadness of those encountering the loss of their lives in a car & so she created a solution at the age of 14 years old, then applied for a Patent that she received at 17. I see her as a role model millennial in our country to inspire other kids to be entrepreneur while they are still in middle school. I also am moved at how she sees her faith with God being the critical part of who she is & her Mom, she mentioned how much she believes in her & how it meant the world to her. She is what I believe what our country needs for our children to look up to. I am grateful for the gift of her creations & dedication to make this a critical matter & that she did something about it.
