2019 Latina of Influence Olivia Rios | Community and Business Advocate
Hispanic Lifestyle is pleased to recognize Olivia Rios a Community Leader, Business Advocate and operations manager as a 2019 Latina of Influence. Ms. Rios 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.
As a community leader she advocates on behalf of their merchant businesses with local government and represents the organization to address the local business climate for its members with other organizations. All while oversees the production and event planning of Uptown Whittier events such as Antique Fairs, Holiday Sonata, Uptown Whittier Holiday Parade, Food Festivals and others in the Historic area.
She’s a graduate of Marymount College, Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts; University of Redlands with focus on International Relations, Instituto Cultural de Guadalajara, Spanish. Olivia has also earned several certificates from University of Notre Dame Mendoza School of Business in Board Development & Board Governance and from CSU Dominguez Hills, certificate in Grant Writing & Administration. She is a 2016 Fellow of Latina Global Executive Leadership Program at University of Southern California and earned the prestigious award the by Ford Motor Company – Mujer Legendaria Verde for her contribution to the Hispanic Community.
As the Operations Manager at Whittier Uptown Association, Olivia is the liaison between district business members, local government and with surrounding chambers and organizations. Responsibilities include planning and directing all operations, programs, activities, functions, and affairs of the organization. Reporting to the Board of Directors and its Executive Committee, she assist in leading the organization to fulfillment of its mission and vision. The Whittier Uptown Association represents a 22 block district with over 490+ merchants.
Olivia believes in collaborating and partnering with local organizations within the Whittier community to promote their initiatives, causes, and events for a better community.
Olivia’s dedication to the community includes being on the Advisory Board at Assistance League Whittier Chapter, member of Soroptomist Whittier Chapter and Rotary of Whittier and a Board Director at Plaza De La Raza Cultural Art & Education Center. She sits on various community committees including the Brookfield Residential Community Art Piece – Committee for The Groves, the new residential and retailer shopping center. Olivia was selected in 2018 from her community peers to be a dance on Dancing with the Whittier Stars to raise money for the Whittier Community Foundation. She is a past Board Member of Whittier Historical Society & Museum, Board Director and President Elect at National Latina Business Women Association – Los Angeles Chapter.
She is sought out by many of her peers or organizations for business guidance, mentorship, and leadership advice to help them with their marketing strategies, especially in the area of networking skills, negotiations and nonprofits. Olivia has earned a reputation for being professional, creative, resourceful, and committed to helping others grow. She experience working with high profile and demanding clients over the last two decades which has allowed her to be successful in many aspects of her professional and personal life.
She is considered a Master Connecter due to her engaging personality and her desire to connect others. Her influence and knowledge is one her greatest strengths. She also thrives on helping colleagues and members of her community connect with one another. Her daily quote is “It’s not always about personal gain. It’s what you give of yourself to other’s that really matters”.
She is a mother of a one son Max who will be graduating from California State University at Fullerton, majoring in Mechanical Engineering this coming spring and the oldest of three siblings. Her greatest accomplishment is being a recent Breast Cancer survivor.
Affiliations:
- Plaza de La Raza Cultural Art & Education Center – Board of Director
- Rotary – City of Whittier – Member
- Soroptomist Whittier – Member
- Latina Golfers Association – Member
- Whittier Chamber of Commerce – Member
Nominated by past Latina of Influence Rose Elena Sauceda
