Elizabeth Gutierrez, financial reporting and analysis leader with Napa-based AUL Corp (AUL), has been honored with a Latino Business Leadership Award by the North Bay Business Journal at the publication’s fifth annual competition. The North Bay Business Journal is the leading business publication of the Northern San Francisco Bay area, and the five-year old program was created to honor the most outstanding Latino leaders, innovators and visionaries in the North Bay.

Gutierrez began her career at AUL in 2001 as a customer service representative and over the course of her nearly 20 years at AUL she earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from CSU-Sacramento in Accountancy. Her persistent drive and natural leadership qualities earned herself the current position of financial reporting and analysis leader at AUL, the company said. In addition to her corporate success, Gutierrez also goes above and beyond in her community. She was part of a team that helped raise more than $98,000 for Napa Humane, more than $55,000 for Leukemia Lymphoma LLS and assemble more than 10,000 food packages for Rise Against Hunger.

“I am very proud to be honored by the North Bay Business Journal as a leading Latina businessperson,” Gutierrez said, “but I am prouder that the Latino business community as a whole is being recognized and acknowledged for its growing influence. I believe one of the greatest challenges currently facing the Latino community is a lack of recognized role models. In the North Bay especially, we have so many amazing Latinos and Latinas making a positive impact in our community. I am so honored to be recognized.”

According to AUL President and CEO Jimmy Atkinson, the decision to nominate Gutierrez was an easy one. “As soon as the Business Journal’s competition was brought to our attention, there was a unanimous call for us to nominate Elizabeth. Her constant drive, professionalism and dedication to her work at AUL and within the local community are beyond reproach. We are very fortunate to have her as a key member of our finance team.”

Gutierrez is one of 13 Latino leaders being lauded for both their professional accomplishments and their involvement in the community. She and the other winners were honored at a virtual awards celebration on Oct. 27 via Zoom. 

To find out more, visit www.aulcorp.com.