Theresa Avina | Gulf Coast Equality

Theresa Avina

Board Member

Festival Committee Co-Chair

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Theresa Avina is originally from the Chicago-Area and currently resides in Long Beach. Theresa is an employee of Hancock Whitney Bank in the Lending Services Department. She has served on their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council and continues to promote DEI in her current job role. Theresa is also fluent in Spanish.

Theresa has a passion for volunteering that is fueled by the desire to advocate, empower, and give voices to marginalized communities while promoting equal human rights for all. In 2019, Theresa volunteered at Gulf Coast Equality Fest for Free Mom Hugs and then as an Event Volunteer for Gulf Coast Equality Fest in 2021. Theresa was elected to Gulf Coast Equality’s Board of Directors in 2021 and from 2022 to 2024 served as Board Treasurer. Theresa also periodically volunteers with various coastal non-profits like For Pet’s Sake in Long Beach, MS as a pet foster and at Feed My Sheep in Gulfport, serving meals.

Theresa was chosen as 1 of the 100 Successful Women to Know in 2023 by Gulf Coast Woman Magazine.