Title: Chief Executive Officer
Company: Elizabeth Manor, Inc
Location: Lakewood, CA United States

After 10 years in the health care field, Yarina Tea-Cerniaz decided to change the health care facility she owned into a boarding house for international students. Elizabeth Manor, Inc gives students a home while they attend local universities, and through it, Ms. Tea-Cerniaz provides school support, mentoring and tours. As a woman in today’s world, she attributes her success to her perseverance; she never gives up.

Ms. Tea-Cerniaz is driven by her desire to inspire others and help them realize that they can do anything they set their mind to. She came to this country 30 years ago at just 9 years old, and didn’t know any English. Ms. Tea-Cerniaz learned though, and has continued to learn right up to the current moment. She went on to earn a Master of Education from Argosy University in 2011, a Bachelor of Health Care Administration from California State University, Long Beach in 2003, and an associate degree in nursing. Ms. Tea-Cerniaz believes it just goes to show that anyone can achieve anything.

The biggest challenge Ms. Tea-Cerniaz had to overcome was balancing being a mother and operating her business. Independent and dependable, however, she succeeded. Looking forward, Ms. Tea-Cerniaz hopes to obtain a Ph.D., and be a leader, spokesperson and role model for young woman. She wants to mentor and inspire them to be everything they can be. In her spare time, Ms. Tea-Cerniaz helps out at her children’s school and volunteers at special events at her church. She loves to meditate, listen to music, and travel.