Aurora businesswomen earn 'Woman to Woman' honors

By Jean Van Rensselar
SPECIAL TO THE BEACON NEWS

AURORA — Local businesswoman and active volunteer Nelly Venecia was among those honored by State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka at the recent "Woman to Woman: Making a Difference" ceremony in Chicago.

"I was very honored," Venecia, 36, said of receiving the Community Volunteerism award.

"It feels good to know that you have a meaning that no one can fulfill but you. You get involved, not because you have to or because you have a hidden agenda, but because you feel you need to do it."

Also honored by Topinka was Kay Hatcher of Yorkville, a longtime business leader, community volunteer and Kendall County Board member.

Role Model

Venecia said she learned to value volunteering at an early age. She grew up in Mexico watching her parents, who are both psychologists, contribute their time to local organizations.

"They taught me to look for ways to help people in the community," she explained. "And now I also see the need to lead by example. I hope that I am a role model for all women, not just Latino women."

She received bachelor's degrees in counseling and business administration, but learned her business skills early.

"When I was little, I would take the make-up that my mother and aunts no longer wanted and sell it on the curb," she said, laughing. "I ended up making some good money."

Venecia donates her time to an array of local organizations such as the Girl Scouts, the YMCA, The American Association of University Women, the Hispanic Advisory Board, the Job Training Program at St. Nicholas Church, the Committee for Hispanic Appointments, the Business Institute for Hispanics (which she founded), the League of Latin American Citizens, the Aurora Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and the Midwest Literary Festival. She has also been a volunteer Big Sister for six years.

Venecia owns Venecia Group, a consulting training and translation company that was largely responsible for her winning one of the Business Ledger's 2005 Most Influential Women in Business Awards.

'Make a Connection'

Venecia said she began reading the philosophy of Friedrich Nietzsche at the age of 12, which explains the inner voice that spurs her toward personal growth and helping others.

"I think it's more important to be than to have," she said. "You look at the great people of the world; they are remembered for being rather than having.

"I feel that I want to be a better person every day. I want to make every day the best day of my life, and I want to make a connection with someone else whenever I can."

Venecia's husband, Arturo, said that his wife is a generous and compassionate person who would help everyone if she had the time. "She just has a big heart," he said. "She believes in the human potential and wants to find ways to release it."

Although the Venecias do not have children, they have two dogs, Pumkin and Dixie which, not surprisingly, were adopted from the local animal shelter when Arturo and Nelly were volunteering there.

Longtime Valley Leader

Hatcher, past board president of Senior Services Associates Inc. in Yorkville, was honored with the Women's Empowerment award.

Hatcher's vision and leadership were key to passage of a referendum for a senior center in Kendall County, and she has brought that same commitment to countless other initiatives on the behalf of women, Topinka noted.

President of Reputation Management Inc., a media marketing firm, Hatcher is a member of the Kendall County Board and president of the Kendall Forest Preserve District.

She has received numerous honors over the years in the Fox Valley and state — Aurora YWCA Woman of Distinction (twice), Business Ledger Influential Woman in Business, Rotary Club president, Outstanding Illinois Woman in Government, Outstanding United Way Board Volunteer, and membership on the Governor's Commission on the Status of Women in Illinois Entrepreneurship Committee.

Whether it's the Girl Scouts, United Way, Crime Stoppers, job training for the under-skilled, helping people with disabilities enter the work force, or eliminating roadblocks to the advancement of women in both the public and private sectors, Hatcher is a strong advocate and inspiring role model for others, Topinka said.

Topinka's office and her Advisory Board for Women's Issues provide programming and resources for women business owners and those in need of financial management skills. The Treasurer's Advisory Board has also published "The Financial Resource Guide for Illinois Women," a free listing of information for women of all ages. Copies can be obtained by calling (312) 814-1700 or by visiting the Web site at www.state.il.us/treas.

04/16/06