The 4th Annual Cafecito Caliente Awards and Title Sponsor Lake Trust Credit Union will proudly recognize Linda Sanchez Gazella with a Legacy Award Friday, September 25, 2026, at the Cadillac Room in REO Town. Linda is the owner of Sanchez Bookkeeping and Tax Service and is considered a highly respected and loved Public Servant and Community Leader around the State of Michigan.
Linda Sanchez Gazella is a dedicated public servant, entrepreneur, and advocate whose career spans decades of transformative leadership across government, education, and business sectors in the Greater Lansing area. Retired from her role as the Human Resource Director for the City of Lansing, Linda’s extensive public service includes serving as Chief of Staff for the Benavides
Administration, Education Specialist in the Hollister Administration, and Executive Director of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program for Ingham, Eaton, and Clinton Counties. Her early career in the Lansing School District as a Home School Visitor,
Parent Coordinator, Community Outreach Specialist, and Special Education Accountant laid the groundwork for her lifelong passion for uplifting vulnerable communities. In recognition of her extraordinary service, Mayor Andy Schor awarded her the Key to the City of Lansing.
A proud graduate of Northwood University, Linda has been a steadfast champion for economic empowerment. She served as the inaugural leader of the Greater Lansing Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, worked closely with the Michigan Hispanic Chamber
of Commerce and spearheaded a state-funded 13-week small business development program through Lansing Community College and is proud of the flourishing local enterprises that continue today. She continues her commitment to small business
growth as the owner of Sanchez Bookkeeping & Tax Service.
Linda’s dedication to advocacy extends deep into community care. A recipient of Blue Cross Blue Shield’s coveted Angel Award for her exceptional work with children, she brings the same warmth and tenacity to her family as the biological mother of four and
“mom” to three additional sons whom she raised into community-minded adults. Guided by faith, family, and a strong work ethic, Linda resides in Greater Lansing with her husband, Michael. Inspired by Winston Churchill’s reminder that “it is the courage to
continue that counts,” she remains actively engaged in pursuing new challenges and creating opportunities for others.
As a purpose-driven credit union, Lake Trust is committed to empowering Michigan communities and supporting members in their financial wellbeing journey. With 20 branch locations and 13 video teller locations throughout Michigan, Lake Trust Credit Union serves over 200,000 members. Lake Trust Credit Union was a proud sponsor of the 2024 Cafecito Awards, the Title Sponsor in 2025 and Cafecito welcomes them back to have them as the Title Sponsor for the 2026 Awards!
Lake Trust Credit Union website: Lake Trust Credit Union – Homepage
Tickets: https://cafecitocaliente.com/…/2026-cafecito-caliente…/
Sponsorship: https://cafecitocaliente.com/…/gold-benefits-package-1000/
Sponsorship: https://cafecitocaliente.com/…/partners-sponsorship…/
