The most anticipated night of recognition for outstanding Hispanic/Puerto Rican entrepreneurship and leadership is approaching and creating excitement as the Puerto Rican Chamber of Central Florida has revealed the finalists of the nine categories for this year’s El Josco Awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award.
El Josco Awards recognizes the continued efforts of professionals who have displayed excellence in their areas of expertise, proven leadership in a specific category, demonstrated a commitment to the well-being of our community, and set new standards for business growth.
The Nomination Committee was comprised of five distinguished Central Florida professionals, business executives and community leaders, who undertook the challenging task of evaluating a record number of nominations of individuals who have excellent track records and remarkable contributions to our community.
The 2023 El Josco Awards finalists are (in alphabetical order):
Communications
- Luisa de los Ríos, Vice President of Ministerio Valora tu Vida
- José L. Dieppa, External Communications Manager at AdventHealth
- Cecilia Figueroa, CEO of Twins Digital Media Group
- Jackie Méndez, General Director of Tu Revista Mujer
Education
- Anthony Díaz, Proprietor of Revive Your Credit
- Manuel Hernández, Language Arts High School Teacher at Osceola County
- Sonia Ledger, Teen Parenting Program Coordinator at OCPS Alternative Education Centers
- Dr. María Vázquez, Superintendent of Orange County Public Schools
Health
- Dr. Wilmer Alvarez, Senior Executive for Grants Administration at Orlando Health
- Dr. William Félix, Sports Medicine Physician
- Dr. Ramón L. Rodríguez, Physician, Neurologist
- Dr. Rafael Toro, Surgical Oncologist at Orlando Health
Community Service
- Diana Font, Visit Orlando and Orange County Disability Advisory Board Member
- Yamile Luna, Chief Operating Officer at AdventHealth
- Anthony Peral, Vice President and Community Impact Relationship Manager for Fifth Third Bank
- Angel Tosado, President of Mind Credit, LLC
Entrepreneurship
- Horacio Maysonet, President/CEO of Cyber Security Solutions
- Beverly Rodríguez, President of the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP), Central Florida chapter
- Ivelize Santiago, CEO of Prime Time TV
- Samantha Senf, CEO of Samantha’s Walls
Professional of the Year
- Roberto López, Senior Immigration Attorney at Complete Immigration Solutions
- Andrés Maldonado, Chef/Owner of Nona Bistro
- Rosa Ruiz-Bunker, Store Manager at TD Bank
- Manuel I. Ruiz, Art Director of Pro D Signs, LLC
Women-Owned Business of the Year
- Urbander, Sami Haiman-Marrero
- MG Medical Center, Dr. Melanie Meléndez
- Vanessa’s Coffee Show, Vanessa Ortiz
- Casa del Artesano, Darlene Ramírez
Small Business of the Year
- AJ Production Events, AJ González and José Bethencourt
- Nona Bistro, Chef Andrés Maldonado
- Samantha’s Walls, Samantha Senf
- El Cilantrillo Restaurant, Hiram and Dianne Turull
Lifetime Achievement Award
This award recognizes an individual who has shown significant leadership capabilities and has made outstanding and sustained contributions to their profession and/or the community throughout his/her lifetime. In addition, has been a role model within his/her profession and exemplifies personal qualities that make them stand out among their peers.
The 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award goes to Nancy Rosado, a retired NYPD sergeant and Clinical Social Worker, who is currently Law Enforcement Liaison at UCF Restores and Mental Health Supervisor at Osceola County Sheriff’s Office.
Rosado has an extensive history in law enforcement, including being among the first police officers to respond to the attack on 9/11. After relocating to Orlando, Rosado has served as an advocate for many underrepresented populations, including the Latino, LGBTQ+, and first responder communities. After the Pulse tragedy, she provided culturally competent and bilingual mental health services and support to survivors and victims’ families, as well as training to local officials. In addition, she assisted with the transitioning of Puerto Rican refugees to Central Florida after Hurricane Maria. Nancy holds a Master’s in Social Work from Fordham University with a specialization in suicide prevention and traumatic stress and worked as a professor at Florida Technical College where she taught Criminal Justice, and as a social worker at the Children’s Arts and Science Workshops in New York.
Nancy is the first LGBTQ+ individual to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award in the history of El Josco Awards showing our chamber’s continued commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
El Josco Awards Gala will be held on Saturday, May 20, 2023, at Caribe Royale Resort, 8101 World Center Dr, Orlando, FL 32821. The event starts at 6:00 p.m. with a cocktail reception followed by the award ceremony at 7:15 p.m.
For more information and purchase tickets, please visit premioseljosco.net