Andres W. Lopez, Co-Founder of the Futuro Fund that helped President Obama engage Hispanics at anunprecedented level in his 2012 reelection, will headline the 3rd Annual Hispanic VIP Gala on December 16, 2013 at 6:30 pm at the GALA Theatre, following a Red Carpet and Celebration Reception hosted at the Former Residence of the Ambassador of Spain. Mr. Lopez will be awarded the 2013 Person of the Year Award for his ongoing work as a dedicated Leader and Advocate for equal justice whose contributions have made a local and national impact.
In addition to recognizing Mr. Lopez, Eventos VIP Pass will present the 2013 Excellence Awards to honor Hispanic leaders for their contributions in important areas of public life including civic engagement, business, philanthropy, diplomatic, culture and more. The awards will recognized Hispanic business leaders like Angela Franco, who leads the Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, non-profit advocacy leaders like Hector Sanchez, Chairman of the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda, and social entrepreneurs like Sonia Gutierrez, President and Founder of the Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School, and leaders in the arts, government and community service for their efforts and contributions in their respective fields, and the positive impact they have had in the development & furtherance of the Hispanic community.
We are incredibly proud that this year’s 3rd Annual Hispanic VIP Gala will include such a diverse and talented group of leaders who have gone out of their way in service to their community, and working to ensure that the American Dream remains within reach for everyone in America,” said Andy Ramirez, CEO of Eventos VIP Pass. “This year’s awards will be the largest yet, and really highlight how the Hispanic community is increasingly gaining in prominence and influence at the national level.” Commented Mauricio E. Cuevas, Founder and President of Eventos VIP Pass.
Mr. Lopez’s work engaging Latino voters extends to his service as an At-Large Member of the Democratic National Committee, a position to which he was appointed by then-Chairman and Virginia Governor Tim Kaine. A native of Puerto Rico, is co-founder of the Harvard Latino Law Review and chairs the Harvard Law School Latino Alumni Committee. An early supporter of a fellow Harvard Law School graduate, Barack Obama, he co-chaired the President’s campaign in Puerto Rico in 2008 and served as a delegate from Puerto Rico at that year’s Democratic National Convention. President Obama appointed López to serve as a member of the Commission to Study the Potential Creation of The National Museum of The American Latino in 2009.
The 2013 Excellence Award Honorees are:
•Jose Antonio Tijerino, President & CEO of the Hispanic Heritage Foundation
•Angela Franco, President & CEO of the Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
•Sonia Gutiérrez, President & Founder of the Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School
•Ivan Duque, IDB/BID Creative & Solidary Affairs Division Chief
•Ingrid Duran & Catherine Pino, Co-Founders & Principles of D&P Creative Strategies
•Hector Sanchez, Chairman for the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda
•Alejandra Y. Castillo, National Deputy Director, Minority Business Development Agency, U.S. Department of Commerce
•Gustavo Torres, Executive Director of CASA de Maryland
•Luis Alberto Ambroggio Argentine-American Poet, member of NAASL and SRA
•Karol Escalante, President, Association of Ibero-American Cultural Attachés
•Esther Aguilera President and CEO of CHCI (Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute)
Following The 3rd Annual Hispanic VIP Gala, the Ambassador of Spain has invited Ambassadors from the 22 Latin American countries in partnership with Eventos VIP Pass to a reception at the former residence of the Ambassador of Spain.