An executive who has been with AUL Corp. for nearly 20 years has been honored with a Latino Business Leadership Award by the North Bay Business Journal as part of the publication’s fifth annual competition.

AUL financial reporting and analysis leader Elizabeth Gutierrez received the accolade as part of a program 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 during her time with the F&I solutions provider has earned both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from CSU-Sacramento in accountancy.

AUL highlighted that Gutierrez’s financial reporting and analysis helps to guide the firm’s growth strategy.

In addition to her corporate success, AUL mentioned 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, but I am prouder that the Latino business community as a whole is being recognized and acknowledged for its growing influence,” Gutierrez said in a news release.

“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,” she continued.

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

Founded in 1987, the North Bay Business Journal's coverage has expanded from Santa Rosa to the rest of the North Bay area, covering Sonoma, Napa, Marin, Solano, Mendocino and Lake Counties in the San Francisco Bay Area.

AUL president and chief executive officer Jimmy Atkinson explained the decision to nominate Gutierrez for this award program 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,” Atkinson said.

“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,” Atkinson said.