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April 1, 2022 • Schneps Media
O F MANHAT TAN
2022
CRISTINA CONTRERAS
VEDELYN DAVIS
KELLY ANN CURTIN
MARIA DIAZ
CEO
NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/METROPOLITAN
VICE PRESIDENT OF RETAIL BANKING
CARVER FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT,
MEMBERSHIP & DESTINATION SERVICES
NYC & COMPANY
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
GREENWICH VILLAGE CHELSEA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
What has been your best moment in business?
As a Healthcare CEO, I find motivation and a great deal of satisfaction in knowing
that I work in an industry where we have the ability to impact lives.
What is your secret to success?
It might sound simple, but hard work is the secret to my success.
Who inspires you?
My children inspire me and I also have many friends and family members who inspire
me every day. On the professional front, I’ve been inspired by and I modeled
my leadership style after a boss I had very early in my career. Not only was he very
knowledgeable about healthcare, but he also cared about righting any injustices,
about the community around the hospital.
What has been your best moment in business?
For 30+ years I’ve worked in the banking industry for large institutions. Through
those years I’ve learned how to help others manage and grow their wealth. My
best moment is being able to take that experience and apply it to community
involvement.
What is your secret to success?
Success is borne when hard work meets opportunity and I am a firm believer in
hard work.
Who inspires you?
My children. Much of my passion and desire to grow and be successful was driven
by wanting to give them a better life. In return they have made me richer through
knowledge, love, support, and inspiration.
What has been your best moment in business?
Working in the tourism, hospitality and events industry in the greatest city in the
world, I have been blessed to have been a part of many pivotal moments throughout
my career. It has been an honor to have played a role in so many milestones
across all five boroughs.
What is your secret to success?
Hard work, commitment, my vast network of contacts, ability to problem solve,
talented and dedicated colleagues and a true love of my job.
Who/what inspires you?
New York City inspires me every day. resiliency of our business owners and the
people that work and live in our city.
What has been your best moment in business?
For me any moment when a business sends me an email or calls me to thank us for the work
we are doing in the community are all great moments. When an outreach effort or campaign
we’ve run results in a direct benefit for a business I know we have done our job to fulfill our organization’s
mission.
What is your secret to success?
The secret to my success has been to surround myself by other women who are constantly trying
to improve themselves. It’s hard not to be successful when your peers are climbing that proverbial
ladder and pulling you along with them. I, in turn try to reciprocate that with the young
students I mentor and work with.
Who inspires you?
The people who most inspire me are the women in my close network that have forged paths
for themselves in their careers. In college I joined a Latina Sorority (Latinas Promoviendo Comunidad
- Latinas Promoting Community) which provided me a network of women who serve as
mentors and peers that motivate me to constantly work on myself. Also knowing that I’m setting
an example for my 2 teenage kids inspires me to leave an impact on the communities I serve.