evagabourel

Submitted, February 28, 2017, by:
Josephine Neal  ♦  Elena Hutchinson  ♦  Leila Leslie  ♦  Melanie Escalante

Eva Gabourel

There are numerous reasons that we nominate Eva Gabourel for this year’s U. S. Embassy Belmopan Woman of the Year Award. Truth be told, our admiration for her and her work extends to many years simply because she consistently proves to have compassion, an excellent work ethic, humility and has a positive impact on people. Her life’s mission is to inspire, uplift and support people and we will tell you how she does this in some of the areas that your Award system lists as criteria for nomination:

Women’s Advancement

In the last year Eva initiated and spearheaded various activities to inspire, encourage and promote women within our company, Belize Natural Energy Limited.

One initiative was polling the women of the company to share stories on the company intranet about other women who have positively impacted their lives and how they themselves aim to positively impact others.

On another occasion she interviewed multiple women and wrote an article “BNE, Women Empowerment through Education” where BNE women shared the sacrifices, challenges, successes and rewards in pursuing formal education while in full time employment, and in some cases, while raising a family. This article was shared on the company intranet inspiring others to acknowledge and recognize their peers and to take the leap to advance their own education and inspiring BNE men to support their wives/partners in similar pursuits.

In May 2016 Eva also took it upon herself to engage BNE men in a video celebrating women; both at home and in the workplace, this provided a new dimension of understanding and appreciation between the men and the women of the company.

Eva uses social media platforms to inspire and encourage women daily, posting motivational messages and personal insights as well as speaking to matters of the heart. Numerous women are drawn to her posts and are grateful for them.

On a separate note when each employee at BNE, both men and women alike, celebrates a birthday Eva personally visits that person, offers good wishes, a hug and shares a small gift and a personal message of encouragement (annually) nobody is missed out!

environmental preservation, advocacy & promoting human rights

As a Director of Challenge Gobie, for over 7 years Eva has: (i) fundraised and provided financial support to families of children with cancer and diabetes, (ii) supported a team of young men participating in the Ruta Maya and is doing so in 2017, and (iii) in 2016 successfully fundraised for the construction of a new kitchen for the Octavia Waight Center (residential home for the elderly in San Ignacio) while securing donations of ancillary equipment.

At BNE Eva volunteers as secretary of the Environment, Health and Safety Committee where her work and dedication serves as a magnetic force in bringing people together to promote and implement multiple environmental awareness, health and wellness, and general safety awareness activities, it seems people are attracted to her example of “servant leadership”. Over the past year Eva has also motivated others through her own example of participation in the company’s wellness program, but more than that she has been an excellent advocate for the program encouraging others to participate and mentoring some.

In May last year Eva was invited to organize a group from BNE to participate in the Annual Youth for World Peace Run for Diabetes. Earlier in the year she had participated in a run to raise funds for Special Olympics in Belize. Through these initiatives Eva exemplifies the qualities it takes to lead when needed, then take direction and serve as a member of a team that advocates for those are unable to advocate for themselves, she is extremely comfortable and effective as a leader or a team player!

For the past 2 years Eva has participated in a Local Santa initiative providing gifts to underprivileged children in Cayo (Trapiche and Hillview Area as well as some streets in Santa Elena Town). Additionally Eva is an active member of the Cayo branch of the Belize Cancer Society and had contributed to effective fundraising campaigns and supporting the organization’s activities overall.

encouraging youth development

Eva is actively engaged as a member of the Sacred Heart College Board

In all we are sure you will agree with us that Eva is one of a kind! She has made and continues to make all of these contributions to community and more in other areas that the Woman of the Year Award criteria does not even touch, all while pursuing her own personal and professional development studying for a Bachelor’s Degree at Galen University. We welcome you to celebrate Eva with us.