SANTA BARBARA, Calif., April 22 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ -- Phoenix will be buzzing this year as Hispanic Business Media will once again proudly host the 6th Annual Woman of the Year Awards. The luxurious JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa will be aglow with attendees, including CEO's, business owners, government officials and other elite contributors. The event is to be held on Thursday, May 22, 2008 to honor the distinguished achievements of 20 successful and inspirational U.S. Hispanic women. The accomplishments of these women include substantial strides in business, government and academia.

This event begins with a Daytime Symposium & Networking Luncheon. Two separate, informative sessions are offered this year and provide direct access to the top 20 nominees. A morning panel addresses, "Key Influences in the Formative Years," followed shortly by the afternoon session featuring a roundtable session entitled, "Building a Career." In addition, Brigida Benitez, Partner at WilmerHale & Hispanic Business magazine's 2005 Woman of the Year, will deliver the keynote speech on, "The Journey: College Admissions to Workplace Achievement." The Symposium at the WOY Awards has consistently offered an outstanding opportunity to learn, network and find inspiration among peers and mentors.

The nominees scheduled to attend and speak at this exclusive daytime event are: Jennifer Hernandez (Partner, National Environmental Team Co-Chair -- Holland & Knight), Marta Brito Perez (Chief Human Capital Officer -- AstraZeneca), Dr. Diana M. Bonta (Vice President of Public Affairs -- Kaiser Permanente), Lora Villarreal (Executive Vice President & Chief People Officer -- Affiliated Computer Services, Inc.) and Martha Bejar (Corporate Vice President for the Communications Sector -- Microsoft).

The informative and exciting Daytime Symposium is followed by the elegant Gala and Award Ceremony where the Woman of the Year will be honored. This prestigious event is proudly presented by Liberty Mutual. Other elite sponsors include The Microsoft Corporation, American Airlines (official airline of the WOY) and Land Rover.

About Hispanic Business Media:
Now celebrating over a quarter century as an award-winning publishing and information services company, Hispanic Business Media is the nation's leading source of information for and about Hispanic professionals and entrepreneurs. Hispanic Business magazine is the company's flagship publication. Other entities include http://www.HispanicBusiness.com , http://www.HireDiversity.com , HispanTelligence(R), and Hispanic Business Events, including the Entrepreneur of the Year Awards Gala (EOY) and the Woman of the Year Awards (WOY).

For more information: http://www.hispanicbusiness.com/events/