Elizabeth Sanchez

A native Californian who grew up in the Los Angeles suburbs, Elizabeth Sanchez is a first generation American, whose father is Colombian and mother a Mexican-American. With an extensive career in local and national broadcast journalism, she brings her talent as host of “A Place of Our Own” airing on PBS stations nationwide. “I saw this as an ideal opportunity for me to apply my journalistic skills to discussing a topic that is very near and dear to my heard – raising emotionally and intellectually happy pre-school age children,” she says. “I am very happy to be part of a program that is making such a meaningful contribution to our country’s children.”

Sanchez has served as a weekend anchor and a general assignment reporter for KGTV Channel 10 (ABC) in San Diego, a national correspondent for CBS News based in Dallas. In radio, she worked as an intern at KFI-AM in Los Angeles, reported for KPCC-FM in Pasadena, CA, among several others. She has received several Associated Press Awards including: Best of the West Environmental story in 2001, Best Serious Feature in 1993 and Best newscast in 1992. She graduated from California State University Long Beach with a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism, is a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and lives in San Diego with her husband and two young daughters.

 

Nora del Busto

Auto-inspired fashion designer Nora del Busto, of Bloomfield Hills, MI was one of the winners of the 6th annual GM Student Design Imagine Competition at the International Academy of Design and Technology (IADT) fashion show, Imagine 2008.

This year, she was one of the 75 designers to compete at the “Couture to the People” competition, winners were selected by a panel of experts in automotive designs, marketing and fashion. Her winning design was inspired by GM’s new HUMMER HX. “The armor-like feel of the HUMMER is echoed in the overall design of the ensemble – strong, sporty and rugged with a touch of edgy sophistication,” she explained. “The grill slots were an inspirational motif used on the pants, tunic and gloves in the form of pleats.”

Del Bustos’ was a personal injury attorney for three years before changing careers to fashion design, “I am much happier working in a creative environment than in the courtroom,” she said.

 

Melisa Quiñoy

Puerto Rican native Melisa Quiñoy has been appointed to Chief Executive officer of Dieste, Harmel & Partners. Under her new role, she is responsible to oversee all operations, strategic directions and management of the Hispanic advertising agency.

An accomplished communications executive, Quiñoy has an extensive experience and expertise in advertising, digital, youth and experiential marketing. Working in some of the world’s leading markets, she is a veteran of MTV Networks for nine years, recently directing MTV and Nickelodeon efforts in Europe. While in Latin American she was responsible for establishing long-term client partnerships for MTV and Nickelodeon and was behind the sales launch strategy for VH1 in Brazil and Mexico.
“We searched for the perfect brand communications leader to take the helm of the agency and we found the utmost match in Melisa—she’s an innovator, a visionary, and an extremely well-accomplished Latina who represents the epitome of the global consumer experience,” said Carmen Baez, president of DAS Latin America.

Prior to joining Dieste, Harmel & Partners and MTV, she had a career in advertising working for agencies including Pepsi, Nabisco, EURO RSCG, Foote, among several others. She also held several international posts in Buenos Aires, Mexico and Sydney. “Dieste’s heritage and leadership in the Hispanic market will be further strengthened with the addition of Quiñoy as chief executive officer. Her experience and drive will break new boundaries at the agency,” said Tom Harrison, chairman and chief executive officer for Omnicom’s Diversified Agency Services.