Local Women Execs Honored at YWCA Tribute to Women Awards

The YWCA Silicon Valley honored women executives and their achievements at the 27th annual Tribute to Women Awards ceremony in San Jose on Tuesday. 

The purpose of the YWCA Tribute to Women Award Program (TWIN) is to honor illustrated excellence in executive-level positions at the companies who employ them. They are chosen based on outstanding achievements and critical contributions they have made to their organization. 

“It was spectacular event, we had over 600 people and 46 honorees and every seemed to be having a great time, we couldn’t be more pleased,” said Kelly Ramirez, chief development officer for the YWCA Silicon Valley.   

Tomoko Tanaka, director of risk management and compliance for KLA-Tencor Corporation started her career in the U.S. Navy during a time when people didn’t picture women being in the service, she said.

But throughout out her life she always made it an effort to “be prepared and, at times, over-prepared, and to add value to whatever role you take on,” she said in her video statement.

For Alison Gleeson, the ability to make difference in individuals lives is one of the most rewarding things for the vice president of U.S. commercial sales at Cisco Systems, Inc. 

“The number of people you touch as a mentor has a lasting impact,” said Gleeson in her video statement. 

Kuni Hay, vice president of academic affairs at Evergreen Valley College said in her video statement, “I want to see students accomplish things they couldn’t do.”   

One of her biggest rewards is, “Be able to share successes with students is a reminder for why I do what I do, do the work you love well,” she said in her video statement. 

Kathy Bries, director of portfolio management, strategy and operations for Cisco Systems, Inc. said the things she finds most rewarding is what she has learned from other business people.

“It’s helpful to have someone their holding your hand during big decisions,” she said in her video statement. 

Nanette Bustos, director of sales and operations for KLA-Tencor Corporation, said in the event program that in order to attract a successful life, celebrate and embrace your failures as an opportunity to learn something new. 

Marilyn Nagel, chief diversity officer for Cisco Systems, in the event program, said to succeed you must find inspiration in whatever it is you are doing and make it your own. 

The women celebrated and recognized this year by the YWCA Silicon Valley come from all walks of life with different backgrounds, but what they all have in common is they see obstacles as opportunities to improve their lives–and the lives of others.

“Each year there is such a new variety of women that come in from a number of different industries in the [Silicon] valley. And each year, we sit here as staff absolutely amazed with the women that are honored,” Ramirez said.