Mujer, Inc.
Current Board of Directors
Officers
Cynthia Burruel – President
Cynthia brings 30+ years of business experience working in the garment/textile industries in sales and management capacities. Her work life has taken her to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Atlanta and Las Vegas as well as international destinations. Cynthia began her second career in insurance and financial services and is currently a Medicare insurance representative for E-Telequote. She loves helping people!
Cynthia has been a member of Mujer Inc. since 2012 serving in various roles and as a Board member throughout the last ten years. She recently began another term on the Board for 2022 overseeing membership services. Her other service endeavors include events for Chicano Por La Causa, Pete C. Garcia Victoria Foundation and the Kino Border Initiative. Cynthia graduated from Maryvale HS in Phoenix and received her degree from Brooks Fashion College in Long Beach, Ca.
Gail Diaz – Vice President
Gail became a member of the Board of Director in 2009. During that time, she has served as Treasurer and Chairman of the Marketing Committee. Gail has worked for the State of Arizona – Department of Health Services for 27 years, and is currently a Child Welfare Licensing Specialist for the Department of Child Safety. She holds a temporary license with the State Board of Insurance and is awaiting a testing date for a permanent license.
Andrea Frausto – Treasurer
Andrea became a general member of Mujer, Inc. in 2001 while working at the Arizona Attorney General’s Office. She was elected to serve as a Director-at-Large shortly thereafter, and immediately filled the position of Membership Committee Chair which she held for numerous years. Andrea became Treasurer in 2005 and continued as Treasurer in 2006, 2007 and 2016 through 2019. She was President-Elect in 2008, President in 2009 and Past President 2010 through 2014, President 2020 through 2022.
Andrea’s passion for Mujer, Inc. evolved from her experience with the Project Mana Leadership Conferences. It was at this flagship event where all the hard work and dedication came to fruition – the empowerment of our young Latinas through the precepts of “Modeling, Mirroring and Mentoring”. In keeping with that mission, Andrea has served as co-facilitator in 2002 and 2003; and as main facilitator from 2004 through 2012, 2018 through 2023. Andrea is a Digital Production Manager for Savvas Learning, and holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration.
Suzie Moreno – Secretary
Suzie is a native Arizonan, born in Phoenix and raised in Tolleson, and is proud that Arizona is her home strengthening her ties to long-time friends and community. Suzie began her career at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (BCBSAZ) just a few days after graduating from high school and her summer job developed into a career that has spanned more than four decades. She is currently the Manager, National Account Client Services and manages a staff responsible for the sale, implementation and servicing of multi-state employer accounts. Suzie is a graduate of Valley Leadership, and has a wealth of expertise in group insurance sales, service and administration management. She has represented BCBSAZ’ role in the Hispanic community in support of people and organizations, especially those serving the disadvantaged, with tools to achieve economic and social equality.
Suzie enjoys her volunteer work and is active with several community organizations. Currently serving on the Board of Directors of Mujer, Inc., Pete C. Garcia Victoria Foundation, The Tia Foundation and is a member of ASU’s Minority Advisory Council. Family, friends, golfing, reading, and hiking are also among her top priorities.
Directors-at-Large
Maria has been in the financial industry for over 30 years, and has served on several boards throughout the Valley including: OCJ Kids, HAREP-Hispanic Association of Real Estate Professionals as well as with the Palo Verde Council for Special Olympics.
She currently serves on the Board for Mujer, Inc., West-MEC Affiliates, Pendergast Elementary School Foundation, Women’s Council Realtors, and the Glendale Chamber of Commerce where she also serves as the treasurer for the Military & Veterans Affairs committee, and as a member of the Public Policy and Diversity Equity & Inclusion committee. Maria was also the 2022 and 2023 Director for West Valley Women, and the 2023 Affiliate Chair for the West Valley WeSERV. In 2022 she was named as Women of Scottsdale’s Woman of the Year.
Maria is the Community Impact Manager in the Business Development & Community Impact Department with Credit Union West. Maria loves the famous quote “I have come to serve not to be served.”
Dinah Estrella
Mujer, Inc. has been a big part of Dinah’s life for over 30 years. During that time she has held several positions, from President to Director-at-Large and many others in between. She is a proud native Phoenician and 4th generation Mexican/American. Dinah has been the owner/agent of Estrella Insurance Services since 1986, and the Designated Broker/Realtor of Estrella Realty Group since 2003.
In addition to her entrepreneurial success, Dinah shares that her greatest achievement is being the proud mother of three daughters Veronica, Deborah, Monica, and her son Ernie. Her life and heart have been blessed with nine grandchildren (six granddaughters and three grandsons) and last, but certainly not least, is her first great-grandson, Vincent, or “Vinny” as he is lovingly called.
Dinah’s passion for the organization grows stronger each year and she has made long lasting friendships with the other committed women of Mujer, Inc. She often comments, “Once a Mujer, Always a Mujer.” With that in mind, Dinah stands as a continuing board member in support of the mission and vision which Mujer, Inc. represents.
Julia Lopez-Munoz
Julia is a proud second generation Mexican/American from Phoenix, AZ. She became an entrepreneur after studying Business at Phoenix College and Western International University, and ran several businesses for two decades before deciding to transition to an Account Manager role with Redirect Health and to make family a priority. She currently owns a small business, Property Options LLC, a real estate wholesaling company.
Julia became involved with Mujer Inc in 2004, collaborating on designing the logo and providing marketing materials through her print media company. Her journey with Mujer has been a rewarding one, and she is committed to contributing to the empowerment and advancement of our young Latinas in our community.
Julia is a mother of three, a step-mother of two, and a grandmother of five. She believes that by supporting and empowering each other, guiding, and mentoring our young Latinas, we can all succeed and thrive.
M. Teresa Santiago
Teresa’s involvement with Phoenix non-profits began when she moved here from New York City and was welcomed into the community. Teresa became a member of Mujer when the organization was still in its founding cycle, and served as both President and newsletter editor. During this time, she was also a board member of The Friendly House, Planned Parenthood and Grand Canyon Credit Canyon.
Moving on to other endeavors, Teresa had moved away from community involvement. However, a chance encounter with two members of Mujer, Inc. was all the encouragement she needed to reengage with this group of dynamic, passionate women. In keeping with her marketing background, Teresa has returned to lend her support as a Board Member focusing on marketing and website management.
Sylvia Vega – Ambassador at Large
Sylvia joined Mujer, Inc. in 2004, and believes the mission and core values align with her personal values and deep appreciation for her Latino culture while providing her the immense honor and ability to connect with current, as well as future, role models of outstanding Latina women. In 2006, she was a Co-Facilitator for the Project Mana Leadership Retreat, and then served as the Retreat Coordinator/Manager. She served on the Board of Directors in various officer roles, including President from 2010-15 and 2017-19.
Sylvia maintains that Mujer, Inc. is one of the most treasured experiences and wonderful organizations she has ever had the distinct honor to work with. She now resides in San Antonio, Texas, with her husband of 44 years, but remains connected to Mujer, Inc. She is mother of two daughters and grandmother to five beautiful grandkids. Sylvia obtained her Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration and is a California State Certified Paralegal having completed two years of Law School.
Always an Ambassador of Mujer, Inc., Sylvia invites all Mujeres who have a desire to serve their Latino Community to join her on a wonderful journey of “Comadrizmo” with Mujer, Inc.!