Wintrust Community Banks Honors 30 Chicagoland Latinx Leaders with Awards Event; Financial institution also celebrates 30th anniversary in Illinois

ROSEMONT, Ill., Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- In a sold-out event, Wintrust Banks announced 30 winners selected for its inaugural Latinx Community Awards 2021 at its Rosemont headquarters. The event was a collaboration of several Wintrust banks and Fig Factor Media, an international multicultural media company in Naperville.

On behalf of Wintrust's 30-year celebration of presence in Illinois, the awards celebrate Wintrust Bank's impact it has made in the Latinx communities and also to celebrate the communities it serves. These winners were nominated for making a difference, instigating positive change, and positively impacting residents.

The winners were the following: former Illinois Lieutenant Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti, Fernando Ramírez, Diana Martinez, José Quintero, Marissa Yelenosky, Karina Garcia, Maria Lindsay, Diana Alfaro, Emi Morales Salazar, José Gutiérrez, Alex Páramo, Verónica Gloria, César Álvarez, Elizabeth Colón, Lorraine Guerrero N., Aida Prado, Tru Bazianos, Andrew Ash, Jorge D. Pérez, Giselle Suarez Zuñiga, Abigail Silva, Maria Raquel Llangari, Franklin Ortega, Liza Gutiérrez, Gregorio Hernandez, Maria Sinkule, Gloria Velez, Adrian Laurean, Armando Pérez, and Janelle Silva.

Fig Factor Media CEO Jacqueline S. Ruiz kicked off the festivities by mentioning micro-moments?positive, personal connections with others that can lead to achieving goals and accomplishments.

"Every one of you has captured thousands and millions of micro-moments that led you to this moment," Ruiz said. "So, whether you were awarded tonight or not, may today be the inspiration that allows you to take off on your next flight. Because like we say, in the world of aviation, 'taking off is optional, landing is mandatory.'"

Yaneth Medina, president of Elgin at St. Charles Bank & Trust, a Wintrust Community Bank, expressed her pride in the awardees, the nominees and these six participating Wintrust banks that participated in this event: St. Charles Bank and Trust, Wheaton Bank and Trust, Old Plank Trail Community Bank, Schaumburg Bank and Trust, Village Bank & Trust and Barrington Bank and Trust.

"It's really such a heartful thing to see all of this recognition because you guys do a lot of work in the communities that we serve," she said. "And one of the things that helps us separate from the big banks, because people think that we're a big bank, is we are really connected to the community. It's wonderful to see all of the leaders that we have in our communities tonight being represented and seeing all of the Latino winners being recognized."

Schaumburg resident Abigail Silva, a speech pathologist who works in Elgin Area School District U-46, was honored for her organization called "Conectando Corazones." Silva created this to help Hispanic students from kindergarten to the sixth grade by offering a space to express their feelings and to give parents resources to positively guide their children. The idea came to her a few years ago working with low-income students who had many economic, emotional and social needs.

Known to her families as "Maestra Silva," she is happy if she can change just one student's life.

"They tell me, 'Thank you, Maestra Silva for that kind word or for that time that you talked to me,'" she said. "I'm very happy to accept this award and be recognized for my work. An award like this makes me so happy and proud to keep going with my efforts."

Mexican Cultural Center DuPage President and Founder Fernando Ramirez was noted for his work with the West Chicago-based nonprofit's programs which supports artists and promotes Mexico's rich history and culture. One program Ramirez described was Miss Mexican Heritage. This three-month program teaches young Latinas about Mexico's states and traditions while preparing them in different areas such as finances and college. In the end, there is a first, second and third place winners.

"It's always nice to get recognized for some of these things; you never are looking for any recognition," he said. "For me, I'm looking to help somebody and making sure to change their life some way or another. I also want to note that I have a group of people who really do all the work and they give me the confidence to talk what we do at the museum."

About Wintrust Banks:
The Wintrust Community Bank® family includes more than 150 locations in and around Chicago, southern Wisconsin, and northwest Indiana. Our banks were built to be true community banks with the resources of a large company, but the personal touch of a small institution.

Wintrust Community Banks are named to reflect the unique communities they serve and are committed to being a true asset to those areas. Many employees not only work in the community, they live locally, and get involved with local events and organizations.

When you bank at a Wintrust Community Bank, you have access to any location in the network so we can provide the best of both worlds: the reach and power of a large organization with the uniqueness and client-focus of a true community bank. For more information, visit https://www.wintrust.com/.

Media Contact

Marie Lazzara, JJR Marketing, 630-400-3361, [email protected]

SOURCE Wintrust Banks