2023 ILI Latino Leadership Award Series

2 0 2 3 2 0 2 3

LATINO LEADERSHIP AWARD SERIES

Our mission is to advance Latino educational attainment and workforce preparedness statewide through advocacy, leadership development, and culturally responsive programming.

INDIANA LATINO INSTITUTE

The Indiana Latino Institute (ILI) is a 501(c)3 statewide non-profit organization committed to serving Latino communities across Indiana Since 2001, ILI's efforts have focused on education and health programming, and in 2018, launched the Indiana Latino Leadership Circle program to increase the pool of Latino leaders within Indiana represented at the executive level. The Indiana Latino Institute will continue to elevate and empower Latino Hoosiers and work to improve all communities throughout the state.

MARLENE DOTSON

ILI President & CEO

SETH MORALES ILI Board Chair

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Seth Morales, President & CEO, Morales Group, Board Chair

Art Vasquez, President, President, IU Health West Central Region, Board Vice Chair

Matzine Sanchez-Gutierrez, Director of Account Management, Circle Logistics, Board Secretary

Mike Merkel, Owner, La Rosa & Co., Board Treasurer

Dr. Andrew Adams, Vice President of Neurodegeneration Research, Eli Lilly and Company

Dr. Virginia Caine, Director, Marion County Public Health Department

Carole Casto, Vice President of Marketing & Corporate Communications, Cummins Inc

Gina Miller, President and CEP, INHP

Sam Centellas, Executive Director, CDFI Friendly South Bend

Rebecca Espinoza Kubacki, Former State Legislator

Ricardo Garcia De Alba, Global Portfolio Leader, Enlist & Core Herbicides, Corteva Agriscience

Rosemily Geyer, President and CEO, Geyer Fire Protection

Jadira Hoptry, Director, Community Lending and Development, First Merchants Corporation

Danny Lopez, Vice President for External Affairs and Corporate at Pacers Sports & Entertainment

James McBryant, Hendricks County

Rafael Sanchez, President, Private Banking, Old National Bank

Alfonso Vidal, President & CEO, Vidal Plastics

INDIANA

Over half a million Latinos call Indiana their home, with the majority of those under the age of 25.

LATINO LEADERSHIP LATINO LEADERSHIP

Soon to be the largest population of color in Indiana, the thriving Latino community has a plethora of members who have accomplished feats, are leaders in their fields, and are catalysts in others’ successes Woven throughout the public and private sectors, these individuals lead community groups, operate businesses, manage institutional services, organize events, excel in media, serve on boards, mentor others, and more. They have helped create an environment conducive to growth a 40% increase in Indiana’s Latino population from 2010 to 2020

As many successful Latinos deserve to be acknowledged for their accomplishments benefitting Hoosiers and their communities, the Indiana Latino Institute (ILI) created a program to identify and commend three classes of Latino leaders:

Raising Latino Stars in their 20s Elevated Latinos Under Forty Latino Leadership Legacy

Those successful and young community members already have distinguished themselves and have promising futures Identifying them and acknowledging their achievements will propel them to greater heights The Latino Leadership Legacy recipients are those whose persistent achievements span over many years, made their mark in their respective fields, improved Hoosier outcomes, and have relentlessly addressed systemic barriers to pave the way for more Latinos

Along with its advisory board of seasoned leaders, distinguished educators, successful entrepreneurs, and others, ILI is positioned to identify and recognize the contributions of Latinos. For over two decades, ILI has recognized Latino Hoosier leaders at annual events and trained five cohorts of emerging talented leaders participating in the ILI Leadership Circle program

THE AWARD SERIES THE AWARD SERIES

For generations, Latinos have contributed to the success of Indiana across the state, in their business sectors, in their communities, and more The Indiana Latino Institute is uniquely positioned to identify and honor those who have achieved significant milestones and worked relentlessly over many years to improve Hoosier lives The Indiana Latino Institute created this award series to recognize and honor emerging Latinos and Latinos who have built legacies through decades of service and contributions to Indiana and local communities

We are looking for Hoosier Latinos whose achievements go beyond expectations and who give back to the community. They are Latinos who have achieved success professionally and excel above others These Latino leaders are role models, staunch advocates for change, and stewards of their local and state communities. We are looking to identify and honor candidates across Indiana in a diverse list of sectors such as:

RODOLFO S. MONTERROSA, JR

Rudy Monterrosa has practiced criminal, immigration, personal injury, and family law in South Bend, Indiana since 2001 He is the founding attorney of the Monterrosa Law Group, LLC. He serves as one of only three bilingual deputy public defenders as a felony public defender in St. Joseph County, Indiana. He also serves as the supervising attorney for the St Joseph County Traffic & Misdemeanor deputy public defenders in South Bend, Indiana. He has represented clients with misdemeanor and felony cases at both the State and Federal level as well as clients with immigration cases in all stages of proceedings throughout the country

Monterrosa serves as an adjunct professor at the Notre Dame Law School, where he teaches a course on immigration and nationality law and co-teaches the Public Defender Externship course with Professor Gerard Bradley. In 2009, the Hispanic Law Students Association at the Notre Dame Law School honored him with the prestigious Graciela Olivarez Award. Monterrosa has a B A in Psychology from Stanford University and a J D from the Notre Dame Law School.

While in law school, Monterrosa served as a law clerk first for the Office of the District Attorney in San Bernardino, California, and then for the Office of the Federal Public Defender in Reno, Nevada. He continues to maintain a strong sense of service to the community throughout his professional career. He serves as a commissioner on the Indiana Supreme Court's Commission on Race & Gender Fairness in the Courts and as President of the Board for the non-profit Latino organization, La Casa de Amistad.

AllisonSegarraHansen

on is an English as a Foreign Language (EFL)/English as a Second Language (ESL) ied teacher and teacher trainer with sixteen years of experience in education She has d as an English Language (EL) teacher, director, and consultant She has also taught sh as a New Language (ENL) courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels Allison ed Spanish as her second language at Yanapuma Spanish School in Quito, Ecuador and ht English as Foreign Language in San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic. Allison rained teachers, administrators, and staff P-20 locally, nationally, and internationally. She a B.S. in Elementary Education from Saint Joseph’s College and an M.S. in Literacy, re, and Language Education from Indiana University Allison is currently enrolled in the n Education Studies PhD program at IUPUI Allison serves Marian University as Assistant ssor of Education in Klipsch Educators College and is the founder and CEO of lingual Education Reform Collective of Indianapolis (MERCIndy) Her passion and rch agenda are centered around educational equity for all learners PK-20

Dr.JessicaReyes

Jessica, a first-generation American with Guatemalan and Mexican heritage, overcame adversity to become a Medical Doctor Raised by immigrant parents, she supported them in navigating the complex healthcare system and worked alongside her mother cleaning houses, instilling a strong work ethic Jessica earned her bachelor's degree from Arizona State University and later became a Fulbright Scholar, spending a year in Spain She combined her passion for medicine with her love for travel, exploring Vietnam, Colombia, Mexico, Europe, and Guatemala while managing a local coffee shop in Phoenix, AZ Jessica's journey led her to the University of Arizona College of Medicine, where she earned her Medical Doctor degree. She chose Indiana University's prestigious emergency medicine residency program and has been a resident in Indianapolis since 2020 Her resilience as a Latina woman in the US has propelled her to fulfill her dreams, support her family, and explore diverse cultures worldwide Jessica is determined to pave the way for aspiring Latino physicians, increasing their representation in the medical field and alleviating socioeconomic stressors to lead prosperous, fulfilling lives Dr Reyes currently works for Boone County Emergency, a independent physician-owned Emergency Medicine group

DeputyMayorLaurenRodriguez

Lauren Rodriguez serves as the City of Indianapolis’ first Deputy Mayor of Public Health and Safety and coordinates crime reduction, mental health, and neighborhood-safety programs between city agencies She previously directed the Office of Public Health and Safety (OPHS), the agency formed by Mayor Joe Hogsett to promote the health, safety, and wellbeing of Indianapolis residents Rodriguez joined OPHS from Hall, Render, Killian, Heath & Lyman, P C , one of the nation’s preeminent health law firms She previously worked in civil litigation for the Office of the Indiana Attorney General, and before that worked as a Marion County Public Defender Rodriguez serves on the Eskenazi Health Center Board of Directors and has been involved in Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana since 2018 She holds a J.D. from the Saint Louis University School of Law, where she specialized in healthcare law.

AllisonMaldonado-Ruiz

Allison Maldonado-Ruiz was born in Lima, Peru and immigrated with her family to Florida at a young age. Allison holds a Master of Education in Higher Education and Student Affairs from the University of South Carolina and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Psychology from Florida State University. With a comprehensive skill set in student affairs and a passion for diversity and inclusion, Allison has made significant contributions to the institutions she has served. Allison began her professional career with Purdue University in July 2018. She now serves as the Associate Director of Retention and Diversity in the Recruitment, Retention and Diversity office for the Purdue Polytechnic Institute. In this role, she oversees initiatives and programming related to retention with a focus on diversity. In her spare time, Allison serves as the president of the Latino Center for Wellness and Education, a 501c3. She has served on the board since 2020 and has planned the Tippecanoe Latino Festival each year. Together they host free community events, partner with local resource providers, and award scholarships to high school, college, and adult students. Allison is a proud Peruana, immigrant, first-generation student, and community leader.

LucasFonseca

Lucas Fonseca, originally from Chile, moved to the United States to attend Grace College in 2016 and founded Language Matters during his sophomore year. Since then, he has built an outstanding international team that is highly respected for their work in the community. Some of his most rewarding partnerships to-date include work with municipalities, economic development corporations, chambers of commerce, colleges, and nonprofit and for-profit organizations. In early 2022, Lucas developed a language-access plan for the City of Warsaw, which he continues to implement. He has recently expanded this innovative model to the City of Logansport, Indiana, and is actively connecting with mayors across the state, equipping municipalities to connect with the growing immigrant population. During his company’s five years of operation, his work has also made entrepreneurial programs accessible to Latino business owners and provided interpretation for COVID testing sites. His company was also selected as a 2021 gBETA company at gener8tor, a nationally ranked accelerator. In the same year, Lucas was awarded KEDCO's Rising Leader Award for outstanding leadership in Kosciusko County. In August 2023, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation nominated Lucas for Forbes 30 under 30 North America for his impactful work in the state of Indiana. Since the onset of the business, Lucas and his brother also co-founded Aiming Toward College, a recruiting agency that helps international students obtain scholarships in the United States.

LuisaMacer

In January 2021, Luisa Macer assumed the role of Community Outreach and Fan Engagement Manager at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. She spearheads experiential marketing initiatives for major events, including the Indianapolis 500 Presented by Gainbridge and Brickyard Weekend. Luisa also manages community partnerships, fostering diversity and expanding the audience for the Racing Capital of the World and NTT INDYCAR SERIES. During her tenure at IMS, Luisa orchestrated impactful programs, including a groundbreaking naturalization ceremony at the racetrack in 2022, where 33 individuals from around the world became US citizens. This event marked a historic milestone, reinforcing Penske Entertainment's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Originally from Mexico City, Luisa is deeply dedicated to creating a more inclusive Indianapolis community. Her career includes roles in community outreach, marketing, and public relations, with previous positions at the Office of International and Latino Affairs, the Indy Eleven soccer team, and the Indy Chamber. Luisa actively contributes to her local community, serving on the boards of the American Red Cross, the Immigrant Welcome Center, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana. She also plays a vital role in the Indy Chamber's Hispanic Business Council and the Newfields Board of Governors. Recognized for her contributions, Luisa was named to the Indianapolis Business Journal's "20 in their Twenties" Class of 2021. She also completed the 1828 Leadership Project Presented by Citizens Energy Group Class XI and received the 2022 IUPUI Department of Communication Studies Bachelor of Arts Program's Outstanding Alumni award.