The VIDA Awards celebrated leadership and excellence and provided scholarships for youth

The YMCA of Greater New York, in partnership with Colgate-Palmolive, hosted the VIDA Awards & Reception to celebrate and honor three trailblazing leaders whose work embodies vision, resilience, and impact. The event raised $100,000 to support and empower youth to achieve their educational dreams, provide reliable childcare for working families, and strengthen community networks.

Building on a decade of impact, the Y’s Hispanic Achievers Initiative has evolved to become Visionaries Inspiring Dreams and Ambition (VIDA) Awards & Reception, an evening that continues the legacy of celebrating leadership, achievement and excellence.

The inaugural VIDA Awards & Reception was emceed by Paola Gutierrez, Senior Reporter and Producer, Despierta América, a Spanish-language morning news and entertainment show that airs on the Univision network that has won multiple Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Morning Program in Spanish. Honorees included Dr. Helen Arteaga-Landaverde, CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst; Sandra Campos, four-time CEO and Founder, Latina Disruptors; and Lina Cruz, Director, Partnership Marketing, City Football Group.

“At the YMCA of Greater New York, we witness how education, guidance, and opportunity can open doors and change lives every day,” said Sharon Greenberger, President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater New York. “The VIDA Awards honor the remarkable leaders who inspire our community and help us create a brighter, more equitable future for the young people who will follow in their footsteps. Their leadership shows what’s possible when opportunity and determination come together. We thank Colgate-Palmolive for their continued partnership to provide opportunity and access to students to become the leaders of tomorrow.”

All funds raised through VIDA support youth in reaching their academic goals, provide reliable childcare for working families, and fund two $5,000 scholarships toward college tuition support through the Y’s Rowe Scholars college-readiness program. This year’s youth honorees, Awa Diarrassouba and Catalina Oddone, embody the spirit of determination and excellence that VIDA celebrates.

“Colgate-Palmolive is a caring, innovative growth company that is reimagining a healthier future for all. We believe health and education are inextricably linked, which is why we are proud to be longtime supporters of the YMCA of Greater New York and sponsor VIDA,” said Patricia Granda, Senior Vice President, Global Inclusion & People Relations, Colgate-Palmolive and Co-Chair of the VIDA Committee. “We are working, together, to create educational pathways and brighter futures for the young people we reach.”

Since 2015, VIDA (formerly known as the Hispanic Achievers initiative) has honored 26 visionary leaders, recognized 42 corporate achievers, and distributed $52,500 in financial scholarships to support 19 students with college tuition assistance.