Texas Border Business
By Amanda Sotelo
South Texas College Trustee Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar was honored this year as the Rio Grande Valley Hispanic Chamber Business Woman of the Year for her role as chief executive officer of the McAllen Boys and Girls Club.
“I was super shocked and then immediately pleased because it’s been less than 20 years since social entrepreneurship has been clearly defined and embraced by the business community,” she said. “It’s a blessing to represent nonprofit executives using their business acumen to impact positive social change in our region.”
This award was presented to Gonzalez-Alcantar for her work and service to the Boys and Girls Club and her community.
“Ms. Dalinda’s management of the Boys and Girls Club is a challenging job, which she has mastered with big success,” said RGV Hispanic Chamber President and Chief Executive Officer Cynthia Sakulenzki. “We are extremely proud of everything that she has accomplished with the club and in helping the children that attend get the proper direction they need in their young lives.”
Currently, less than 1% of Latinas make up the top business executive positions, in which case, Gonzalez-Alcantar makes it her mission to represent her people well and to be the best example she can for the children she serves.
“I had a third-grade girl come up to me once to ask me questions. She could not believe that I was the leader of all 18,000 Boys and Girls Club children we serve through our after-school and outreach programs,” she said. “It’s moments like these that remind me to not squander my influence and to ensure I am propping doors open for the children that walk through them.”
STC President Ricardo J. Solis, Ph.D. said Gonzalez-Alcantar’s conviction of service is what sets her apart.
“Ms. Dalinda isn’t only the CEO of the Boys and Girls Club; she also serves as one of our STC Trustees and she represents us well,” said Solis. “We are honored to have her as part of our STC family. Every day, her decisions are positively impacting our college and everyone she serves. She has helped transform STC into what it is today, and we congratulate her on this honor.”
Gonzalez-Alcantar said it is her faith that calls upon her to serve others, especially those underserved or underrepresented.
“Every day I try to create equitable access to information and opportunities, so our people don’t have to feel the negative outcomes brought on by poverty,” said Gonzalez-Alcantar. “I have a deep conviction to use my time and talents in service of others and there’s no reason to recognize me for that, but I am, however, grateful. My team and I keep our heads down and solely focus on accomplishing our mission. We’re in the business of impacting children’s lives and business is great.”
