Val Zavala, Anchor, Life & Times, V.P News and Public Affairs, to be Mistress of Ceremonies at Hispanic Business Magazine 2007 EOY(R)

“Hispanic Business magazine editor and publisher JesÚs Chavarrí announced that Ms. Val Zavala, Anchor of Life and Times, and V.P. of News and Public Affairs, will be the Mistress of Ceremonies for the magazine’s annual EOY Awards Gala. The EOY honors the top Hispanic entrepreneurs in the United States and will be held on Thursday, November 8 at the Los Angeles Marriott Downtown. It will feature 15 of the nation’s top Hispanic entrepreneurs in five industry-specific categories.

“Val Zavala’s life’s work is influential in the U.S. Hispanic community on a local and national level,” said Chavarrí. “Her work in the positive portrayal of Hispanics in the media is integral in the current Hispanic enterprise landscape.”

An accomplished reporter/anchor, Zavala joined KCET in 1987 with six years of reporting experience at commercial news stations. Multi-talented as she is accomplished in her 19 years at KCET Zavala has not only served as a reporter/anchor; she has also served as a co-host, documentary producer and executive producer.

Her extensive work has garnered ten L.A. Area Emmy Awards, six Golden Mikes, two Imagen Awards for Excellence for positive portrayal of Latinos, and the “Avance” award from Hispanic Americans for Fairness in Media honoring those for longevity and integrity in broadcast journalism. She was also named one of the hundred most influential Latinos by Hispanic Business Magazine (2006).

Consistently working towards the advancement of Hispanics portrayal in the media, Zavala serves as a long-standing member of the California Chicano News Media Association, as well as the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. She has also served as a keynote speaker, mistress of ceremonies, moderator and panelist for numerous organizations including The United Way of Greater Los Angeles, MALDEF (Mexican-American Legal Defense and Education Fund), Zocalo and the Walt Disney Hall speakers’ series.

“It is a privilege to be celebrating the entrepreneurial spirit,” states Zavala. “With the growing income divide between the wealthy and poor in the Hispanic community, business ventures are critical for the upward mobility of our fellow Hispanics.” “

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