AMA Houston, the leading educational information, career-building, and networking resource for Houston’s marketing professionals, today announced that Ana Paola Torres, a marketing major at the University of Houston, is the recipient of the 2021 Penny Todd Scholarship. Torres will receive $5,000 to continue her studies.

“To be selected as the 2021 Penny Todd Scholarship recipient is such an honor,” Torres said. “It is also really special that this is a marketing scholarship. I am passionate about marketing, particularly about understanding people, cultures, and behaviors. As a leader and member of AMA-University of Houston, I have enjoyed working with and meeting other marketing students, and I am thankful to AMA Houston for this opportunity.”

Entering her senior year, Torres is looking forward to being back on campus after a year spent attending class and extracurricular activities virtually because of COVID-19.

“This year, everything has been online—classes, AMA, and even my work as a social media specialist. I love meeting new people and can’t wait to have that opportunity again,” she shared.

This past year, Torres served as Director of Corporate Relations for the AMA, University of Houston chapter, and worked to build and maintain relationships between companies and the chapter. In addition to her marketing studies, Torres works as the marketing manager of Spa World overseeing all of their social media and online marketing. After graduation in 2022, Torres plans to attend graduate school ideally in another country to pursue her passion for different cultures and lifestyles.

“The pool of Penny Todd scholarship applicants were again impressive this year representing the talented marketing ecosystem in Houston,” said 2020–2021 AMA Houston President Emily Rhodes. “We are proud of Ana Paola Torres, the outstanding work she has already accomplished and will undoubtedly go on to do. You represent the future of marketing that Penny Todd championed. Congratulations from the entire AMA Houston Chapter.”

Penny Todd was a visionary leader in the Houston marketing community and made a huge impact on the future of marketing. Her belief in the powerful and important role marketers play in business and society is central to AMA Houston. As the 2007–2008 president of AMA Houston, Penny tenaciously sought ways to support marketing students and non-profit marketers by launching the AMA Houston Gives Back Program. After her passing in 2016, in an effort to honor Penny and build on her philanthropic vision, AMA Houston established the Penny Todd Scholarship, awarding more than $26,000 to deserving marketing students since.

The scholarship is open to Houston-area undergraduate college students studying marketing or a related field and is funded by corporate and individual donations made year-round. Donations are accepted on the AMA Houston website.

About AMA Houston

AMA Houston is the leading educational information, career-building, and networking resource for Houston’s marketing professionals and has been serving marketing professionals for more than 60 years. AMA Houston is one of the nation’s largest chapters and a repeat Chapter Excellence Award winner including a Silver winner in 2019. To learn more about the AMA or to join Houston’s largest marketing professional organization, visit https://www.amahouston.org/