Mujer, Inc.
Current Board of Directors
Officers
Maria R. Brunner – President
Maria has been in the financial industry for over 30 years and has served on several boards throughout the Valley including: HAREP-Hispanic Association of Real Estate Professionals, Women’s Council Realtors-West Valley as a strategic partner and was appointed the 2024 Director of Membership. As well as with the Palo Verde Council for Special Olympics.
Maria’s leadership extends to many community organizations. She has been a board member of the Glendale Chamber of Commerce since 2014 and became the first Latina to serve as the Chair of the Board in 2018. She is also serves on the Public Policy and Diversity Equality & Inclusion as a committee member. Maria is the Co-Chair of the Military & Veterans Affair Committee and is the Treasurer of the committee. She is on the board of the Prescott Valley Chamber’s Hispanic Business Association. She has also been a member of WeSERV West Maricopa Realtors group since 2012, where she serves as current Chair of the Community Involvement Committee and served as Affiliate Chair in 2023, Maria was the WeSERV West Valley Affiliate of the year in 2023. She is also on the Government Affairs Committee. Maria is a graduate of Class 24 of Leadership West, which was formed in 1993 as an organization that connects West Valley leaders to one another, as well as to the top issues and events facing the region’s 15 cities. She is a member of the West Valley Women’s organization since 2018 and served as a director in 2022 and 2023. Maria has been a member of the Women of Scottsdale organization since 2017, and recently won the prestigious Woman of the Year award in 2022. She is on the board for OCJ Kids, Buckeye Elementary School Foundation, West-MEC Alliance Foundation, Pendergast Elementary Community Foundation.
In 2024 Maria was nominated for the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce ATHENA award and for the Credit Union Times Luminaries Awards Finalist.
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.”
M. Teresa Santiago – Vice President
Teresa’s involvement with Phoenix non-profits began when she moved here from New York City in the 1980’s 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 serviced as 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 had returned to lend her support as a Board Member focusing on marketing and website management, and this year will serve as Vice President.
Andrea Frausto – Treasurer
Andrea became a general member of Mujer, Inc. in 2001 while working at the Arizona Attorney General’s Office and has maintained a position of support and leadership for more than twenty years. During the course of that time, she has held many positions. She was elected to serve as a Director-at-Large; Membership Committee Chair; Treasurer; President-Elect; President and Immediate Past President.
Andrea’s passion for Mujer, Inc. has continued to evolve from her experiential motivation with the Project Mana Leadership Conferences. After months of planning, it was at the annual flagship event where all the hard work and dedication came to fruition with the process of watching the empowerment of young Latinas through the precepts of “Modeling, Mirroring and Mentoring”.
In keeping with that mission, Andrea served as co-facilitator in 2002/03; as lead facilitator from 2004/12, and 2018. Andrea accepted the position of Project Mana Chair and has managed the Leadership Conferences since 2019.
Andrea holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and recently retired as the Digital Production Manager for Savvas Learning.
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.
Cynthia Burruel – Immediate Past 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.
Directors-at-Large
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.
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.!