TUCSON (By Tiana Velez, Arizona Daily Star) November 29, 2004 - For the first time in its 15-year history, the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has elected all women to serve in its board of directors' top three executive positions.

JanCo Janitorial president Elizabeth Gonzalez-Gann, 48, was named chairwoman of the board for 2004-05. Joining her are Monica Contreras, 33, of Cox Communications as chairwoman-elect; and Taunya Villicaña, 33, owner of Affinity Financial Group, as treasurer.

The board of directors elects board officers. Their action is in line with other organizations that are responding to the changing national demographics of business ownership.

Between 1997 and 2004, the number of women-owned businesses grew 28 percent - higher than the national average of 9 percent for businesses overall - according to statistics from the Center for Women's Business Research.

Today, women-owned businesses account for nearly half of all small and privately held enterprises nationwide. Of those firms, Hispanic women account for 8.3 percent.

"In earlier years, it was hard to find a woman at the board or committee level. Now more women are serving on these types of boards," Contreras said. "Whether part of a formal business structure, helping out with the family business, or even just running their own families, Latinas have been in business for a long time."

Working for improvement

Seventeen years ago, when Gonzalez-Gann started her janitorial business, the Hispanic Chamber hadn't even been established in Tucson. Now, she heads the 500-member group.

Also lending her experience to the chamber is Villicaña - this is her third time serving on the board as treasurer. During her previous terms, she trimmed expenses and hired a bookkeeper to review the chamber's finances.

This time, she's working on introducing new methods for investment that she said will help the chamber better manage its cash flow and build a strong foundation for its future.

"I bring the financial expertise, Elizabeth brings the strong leadership and community relations, and Monica understands the marketing and strategic planning concepts," Villicaña said. "As women, and as Hispanics, what's important to us is having a sound balance sheet and being able to show how we're investing in the business community and in the students, who make up the other part of our mission."

The chamber gives scholarships to students through its foundation.

And even though the three have held their seats for a little less than a month, they've already made progress.

They recently partnered with the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and are working on forming alliances with other organizations such as the National Association for Women Business Owners.

"My goal is to make the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce the premier Hispanic organization in Southern Arizona," Gonzalez-Gann said.

They will also re-evaluate the chamber's current programs, such as mixers and luncheons it hosts monthly. The decision to take a fresh look at those programs was based on responses to a poll sent to members a few months ago.

"That's what our members are expecting," Gonzalez-Gann said. "When people pay dues, they want to know that we are giving them something for their money. As a business person, I understand that very clearly."

The revamped luncheons will have more seminars as well, because members who responded to the poll said education and networking are important to them.

More members wanted

The new officers hope that if they make the chamber more relevant to members, others will be encouraged to join.

"Listening to our membership is going to be key to us being successful," Gonzalez-Gann said.

Also on the agenda is talk of adding a lobbyist to advocate for members on issues affecting them not only as Hispanics, but also as business people. If all goes well, retaining a lobbyist full time would be the final step in realizing the chamber's three-pronged mission - to provide members and the business community with education, networking and advocacy.

"I think it's very exciting," said Dietrich Benjamin, president of the Tucson chapter of the National Association for Women Business Owners. "The Hispanic Chamber is showing a lot of foresight in putting women on their board."

The election of three women to the board is an achievement in itself, Benjamin said, adding that the greater significance will be their impact on future generations of young women business owners.

"We were not voted to head the chamber as a token, but because people understood we are successful leaders in the business community," Gonzalez-Gann said. "We're looking to make a significant difference."'