Interim Dean Natalie Gomez-Velez was honored at the 2026 Women in Business Luncheon hosted by the New York City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, an event that highlights the strength and resilience of women leaders in all sectors.
Held at the Bateaux on the Hudson, the luncheon brought together a group of honorees representing law, business, media, and public service. The program centers on individuals who have progressed in their fields while maintaining ties to their communities, with an emphasis on leadership among Hispanic women.
Gomez-Velez’s recognition comes during her current tenure as Interim Dean of CUNY School of Law. Over the course of her more than twenty-year career with the law school, she has held a range of academic and administrative roles, including academic dean and professor of law.
The event also highlighted connections within the broader CUNY network. Mayra Linares-Garcia, a member of the CUNY Board of Trustees, was honored for her work at Liberty Coca-Cola Beverages, along with Sophia Zayas, Director of Latino Affairs for NYS, and Franchesa Diaz of Con Edison. Several CUNY Law alumni were also in attendance, reflecting the school’s ongoing connections to graduates working across New York’s legal and public service sectors. The Executive Chamber of New York State Governor Kathy Hochul provided a Certificate of Recognition for each honoree.
Hosted by PIX11’s Monica Morales, the program highlighted not only the honorees strong professional accomplishments, but the importance of their families and friends as well. Interim Dean Gomez-Velez spoke of her mother, husband, and longtime childhood friend as sources of support throughout her career.
For CUNY Law, Gomez-Velez’s recognition aligns with the institution’s longstanding mission: to prepare lawyers equipped to serve the public interest and to lead in ways that reflect the communities they represent. The Women in Business Luncheon is a great example of the CUNY Law mission in action, bringing together the law school’s alumni, Dean, and the communities it serves.
Photo credit Oscar Rivera, courtesy of NYC Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
