CORPORATE SPIRIT AWARDEE
Susana Camarena currently plays a role as Sr. Director of Impact & Culture at Tacombi, a hospitality company focused on connecting people to Mexico through neighborhood taquerias and retail products. As part of her role, she is also the head of the Tacombi Foundation. Before joining Tacombi, Susana served as Executive Director at Qualitas of Life Foundation from 2014 to 2019, a nonprofit organization that provides basic financial education to Hispanic families in New York in order to foster their financial security and improve their standard of living. Susana has been involved in diverse community development initiatives in both Mexico and the U.S. She has been a member of the board of directors at the Association of Mexican Professionals and Entrepreneurs (APEM) in New York since 2013 and member of the board of Mercy Center, a Community Center in the South of Bronx focused on empowering women and their families with from where she received the Circle of Mercy award in 2022. She also sits on the board of Brave Up! a startup that helps schools detect, predict, and prevent cases of microaggressions, bullying, and cyberbullying. In 2023 Susana was named 40 Under 40 Rising Star by the Hunter NYC Food Policy Center. Susana holds a degree in Sociology from the University of Guadalajara, a certificate from the Developing Leaders Program for Nonprofit Professionals at the Columbia Business School, and a Migration and Governance diploma from the Center for Research and Teaching in Economics (CIDE). She was born and raised in Mexico and has lived in New York since 2011.
COMMUNITY SPIRIT AWARDEE
Established in 1996, Ignatian Social Justice (ISJ) is a ministry of the Church of St. Ignatius Loyola made up of parishioners and supported by a dedicated parish staff committed to raising awareness of current Catholic Social Teaching and advocating for social justice on timely and underappreciated issues. Ignatian Social Justice Ministry embraces the responsibility to inform, engage, and mobilize parishioners to promote social justice in our local community as well as our global community. Historically, the group has engaged in issues ranging from local and global food insecurity, housing, and homelessness to the opioid epidemic and its impact on communities in New York City. Today, amongst a range of other issues, we have focused attention on our partnership with Little Sisters of the Assumption Family Health Services (LSA), in mentoring programs on expanding college access for high school students in under-resourced neighborhoods in our city – of which, five students have entered college life this year through this partnership. Expanding our relationship with LSA, we have partnered with them on projects aligned with the Church’s commitment to the “Care of Creation.” We have hosted events on climate activism for elementary school children from LSA and the Parish. The schoolchildren responded to protect the earth by writing letters to President Biden and Vice President Harris. They planted succulents and drew pictures showing the effects of climate change and shared tips on what they are doing to protect the earth. In addition to these programs, LSA has been a platform for a host of other volunteer opportunities for parishioners from tutoring students, to assisting in their Food Pantry, as well as collecting and sorting clothes for their celebrated “Sharing Place Thrift Store.”
DAISY AWARDEE
Judy Zalansky is a retired banking professional with an illustrious 31-year career, culminating in the role of Senior Vice President in the administration of the Trust and Estates Department at TD Bank, formerly known as Banknorth. With a background in finance from Williams College and Northwestern University, Judy’s journey is defined by not only professional success but also an unwavering commitment to community service. Throughout several decades, Judy has been a prominent figure in the world of volunteerism, serving as Board President or Chair in ten different organizations. She has made a substantial impact through leadership and dedication to causes close to her heart. Beyond boardrooms, she has played essential roles in Parish Councils across three separate parishes, contributing to the spiritual well-being of her community. Judy’s compassion extends to broader causes as well, with notable involvement in initiatives such as the United Way and the Aids Project in Worcester. Even after retirement, she continues to embody the spirit of service by volunteering at local libraries and serving on the board of the local senior center. While Judy achieved remarkable success in her professional and philanthropic endeavors, she considers her most cherished accomplishments to be the nurturing of a loving and supportive family. She takes immense pride in her three daughters, five grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. At the heart of her life stands her beloved husband, Michael, whose unwavering support has been a constant source of strength and joy. Judy’s life story is a testament to the power of dedication, service, and the enduring bonds of family. She continues to inspire through her commitment to making the world a better place and by cherishing the love and togetherness that defines her family.
DAISY AWARDEE
Ray López is the Chief Program Officer and Founding Director of Environmental Health Services at LSA Family Health Service, a community based organization located in East Harlem, New York City. Ray leads and supports all LSA programs and initiatives which focus on many of the primary social factors of health. Ray also leads a team of Community Health Workers who focus on asthma prevention using a holistic, hands-on approach which includes conducting home assessments, remediating asthma triggers, training households to improve housing conditions and developing community leaders. Ray is a leader with Metro IAF’s Manhattan Together, and their efforts, in partnership with the Natural Resources Defense Council, the National Center for Law and Economic Justice, and other law firms, achieved a landmark federal court settlement with the NYC Housing Authority, Baez v NYCHA, which aims to protect residents exposed to mold conditions that exacerbate asthma. Ray has been a member of the Board of Directors of the National Center for Law and Economic Justice since 2017.