A Night at the SHCCNJ 2025 Gala: Celebrating Leadership, Legacy and Familia
On Thursday, Dec. 11, the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey’s 9th Annual Gala unfolded as a celebration of legacy, leadership and familia. From the opening moments to the final applause, the evening honored the values that guide our work—and anchoring it all was the elegance, charisma and dynamic presence of our host, Vanessa Coppes.
Vanessa, CEO of BELLA Media + Co, returned to the SHCCNJ stage this year not as an awardee, but as our emcee—bringing warmth, humor, and undeniable grace to an evening celebrating excellence throughout New Jersey’s Latino business and civic community. Last year, Vanessa was recognized as our Latina Trailblazer Award honoree. This year, she elevated the entire program, guiding the room with confidence, joy and a deep sense of connection that reminded us why representation, authenticity and storytelling matter.
From the moment she stepped onto the stage, Vanessa set the tone—uplifting, inclusive and rooted in familia. Her ability to honor tradition while keeping the energy vibrant made the evening feel both meaningful and unforgettable.
Celebrating Our Honorees and Their Stories
One of the most powerful elements of this year’s Gala was the storytelling. Through honoree videos shared throughout the evening, we were reminded that leadership is not defined by titles alone, but by service, resilience and impact.
We invite our members and friends to watch the Awardees’ Video Collection, which captures the voices, journeys and gratitude of this year’s honorees. These stories are a testament to what’s possible when opportunity meets purpose.
Business of the Year
Latino Trailblazer of the Year
Juan Gutierrez Resilience & Excellence Award
Business of the Year
A Moment of Legacy: The Juan Gutierrez Resilience & Excellence Award
A particularly moving moment of the evening was the presentation of the inaugural Juan Gutierrez Resilience & Excellence Award, honoring the late Juan Gutierrez of JAG Companies.
Roly Acosta introduced the award in honor of his father, reflecting on the shared faith, resilience and fuerza de familia that connect him and Andrés Acebo beyond their Cuban heritage. He spoke to the lessons their fathers passed down about building community and leaving a legacy, before welcoming Acebo home as one of their own.
A Year in Review — and a Look Ahead
The evening also featured the SHCCNJ Year-in-Review Highlights Video, which reflected a year of growth, advocacy, innovation, and service throughout New Jersey. From small business support to statewide partnerships, the video captured the momentum our Chamber continues to build.
We also shared a heartfelt Holiday Message from our SHCCNJ staff, a reminder that behind every program and initiative is a dedicated team committed to service and community.
- Aixa Lopez, Chief of Staff
- Jairo Borja, Vice President, Corporate & Entrepreneurial Programs
- Giovanna Aguilar, Director of Communications
- Erica Horton-Duran, Office Manager
- Danilo Melan, Operations Manager
- Daniela C. Velez, Innovation Hub Manager
- Daniela Gonzalez, Program and Event Support
SHCCNJ Holiday Message
SHCCNJ Year-in-Review Highlights
The Creative Team Behind the Evening
The evening's impact extended beyond the stage moments and awards. It lived in the music, visuals and seamless production that carried the program from start to finish.
Our creative team worked behind the scenes to ensure every story was seen, every voice was heard and every moment landed with intention. Marc Falcon of KVIBE Studios collaborated closely with our team on all video edits, helping shape the visual storytelling of the night, including our upcoming Gala highlights video (coming soon!).
Joshua and Berson Fontilus of Brothers Sound delivered flawless production and sound, ensuring a smooth, professional experience for presenters, honorees and guests alike.
Performances That Elevated the Evening
The evening’s entertainment brought emotion, rhythm and cultural pride to the room.
Violinist Le Fiddler set an elegant tone, while Giselle Bellas delivered a powerful tribute performance with her band, joined on vocals by Marisol Medina, daughter of SHCCNJ President Carlos Medina. Corporate DJ Group kept the energy moving throughout the night, carrying the celebration from formal program to joyful close.
Together, these artists and creatives transformed the Gala into an immersive experience—one that reflected the heart, talent and cultural richness of our community.
Gratitude to Our Videographers and Photographers
An evening of this scale and impact does not happen without collaboration. On behalf of the chamber, I want to extend my sincere thanks to our sponsors, whose continued support fuels the Chamber’s mission and allows us to serve businesses throughout New Jersey.
Any Oliva, Directora de Negocios Hispanos USA Magazine. Catalina Perico photographer and Victor Manuel of Otro Rollo Films (videographer).
Your professionalism and partnership made the evening seamless and memorable.
Thank You, Familia
I am deeply grateful to everyone who joined us—our honorees, presenters, sponsors, elected officials, partners and members. This Gala was more than an event; it reflected who we are as a Chamber and where we are going.
If you haven’t yet, we invite you to explore the Gala Magazine, revisit the videos, and relive the moments that made the night special.
Thank you for celebrating with us and for believing in our mission.
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