OUR STORY HAPBWA was founded in 1997 by Hispanic professional and business women who migrated to Central Florida from other states in the U.S. and various countries in Latin America seeking better opportunities. Faced with the roadblocks of a work and business environment not yet sensitive to diverse populations, these Hispanic women yearned for an organization that would allow them to share their experiences and collaborate in the development of strategies that would increase their opportunities for professional advancement. We are a professional organization that is committed to supporting and developing its membership to reach their fullest potential, and we are proud to say that HAPBWA founding members are still very much involved in the organization. They have become the godmothers of a new generation of Hispanic women who are professionals and business owners within our community. HAPBWA Foundation is the 501c3 non-for-profit arm of HAPBWA that was created to support the educational advancement of women of all ages.