Business
2025 Don Quijote Awards Reveal Finalists, Community Champion, and Lifetime Achievement Winners
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — The Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando and Prospera, two leading organizations supporting Hispanic business and professional success across Central Florida, unveiled the finalists for the 2025 Don Quijote Awards, along with this year’s Hispanic Community Champion and Lifetime Achievement Award recipients.
The announcement took place at the Center for Health and Wellbeing—space provided by the Winter Park Health Foundation—and featured remarks from Juan Amo, Chair of the 28th Don Quijote Awards Gala and Senior Vice President, Marketing Executive at Bank of America.
Amo emphasized the enduring spirit behind the awards. “What I hope our community takes away from this year’s Don Quijote Awards is a renewed belief in the power of perseverance and purpose. The stories of our finalists and honorees show that success isn’t defined by circumstance, but by the courage to lead, to serve, and to dream beyond limits,” he said.
The Don Quijote Awards honor individuals and businesses demonstrating excellence, innovation, leadership, and meaningful contributions to the Hispanic business sector. Winners will be announced at the 28th Don Quijote Awards Gala on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at Epcot’s World Showplace Pavilion, from 6:00 p.m. to midnight.
2025 Gala Theme — “Legacy in Motion”
This year’s theme pays tribute to Hispanic American trailblazers whose leadership and vision helped shape opportunities across the United States.
“Every one of us carries a thread that was first placed by a mentor or someone who believed in us before we believed in ourselves,” said Pedro Turushina, President and CEO of the Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando. “This year’s theme, Legacy in Motion, reminds us that while a single strand can break under pressure, braided together we form a rope strong enough to pull the future forward.”
Prospera Central & Northeast Florida Regional Vice President Katia Medina added, “Leadership is not only about achievement—it’s also about the legacy we leave. We proudly celebrate those whose courage and determination have paved the way for others and continue to inspire new generations.”
2025 Finalists Announced
Hispanic Micro-Enterprise of the Year Finalists
Dr. Bling by Bling Aesthetics – Owners: Dr. Ariel Casillas & Javier Hernandez
Graceful Paws Pet Clinic – Owner: Dr. Lynette Reyes
Mia, Mia Brand – Owners: Juan Ceballos & Maria Tapias
Hispanic Enterprise of the Year Finalists
Angel For Kids and Families – Owners: Elizabeth & John Valencia
Taino’s Bakery – Owners: Nicolas Fuste & Liza Padilla
Coffee For The Soul – Owner: Paola Bornacelli
Professional of the Year Finalists
Dr. Andrea Guzman – Vice President for Access and Community Engagement, UCF
Rafael Caamaño – Director, UCF Innovation Districts & Business Incubation Program
Jeff Villanueva – CEO, AdventHealth Seminole Market
Excellence Award Finalists
Ana L. Cruz – HOLA Coordinator, City of Orlando
Dr. Valeria Baldivieso – Geriatric Medicine Medical Director, AdventHealth
Carlos Torres – Chief Deputy, Orange County Sheriff’s Office
2025 Community Champion & Lifetime Achievement Honorees
Hispanic Community Champion Award
The 2025 honoree is Jennifer Evins, President and CEO of United Arts of Central Florida.
Evins has expanded Hispanic representation on the United Arts board to 20% and launched the Diverse Leadership Pipeline program, connecting multicultural leaders with nonprofit board opportunities. She has supported more than 100 organizations and artists through grants, residencies, and visibility initiatives such as DTO Live and Artistry Magazine. Her leadership continues to strengthen cultural access and representation across Central Florida.
Lifetime Achievement Award
This year’s Lifetime Achievement Award goes to Ramon Ojeda, Executive Director of the National Mango Board.
Ojeda, the first President of the Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando, transformed the organization into a nationally recognized leader for economic inclusion—doubling membership, tripling revenue, and earning national honors including “Chamber of the Year.” His continued work supports small business growth and promotes innovation and healthy lifestyles nationwide.
The Don Quijote Awards are supported by Walt Disney World Resort, Duke Energy, Wells Fargo, Orlando Health, Bank of America, Universal Destinations and Experiences, AdventHealth, Travel + Leisure, Hard Rock, OUC The Reliable One, Florida Blue, JPMorgan Chase, JCQ Services, and other partners.
For more information, visit donquijoteawards.com.
Business
Hispanic Chamber and Prospera Honor Business and Community Leaders at 28th Don Quijote Awards Gala
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — The Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association (CFHLA) hosted its 2025 Hospitality Gala on Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort, recognizing outstanding leaders whose service and dedication continue to elevate Central Florida’s hospitality and tourism industry.
Nearly 1,100 CFHLA members, elected officials and community leaders attended the association’s premier year-end event. Honors presented during the evening included the Charles Andrews Memorial Hospitality Award, Lodging Member of the Year, Allied Member of the Year and Engineer of the Year.
CFHLA President/CEO Robert Agrusa, CFHLA 2025 Board Chair Chris Mueller, David Siegel Jr., Jacqueline Siegel, Daniel Siegel, 2026 Incoming CFHLA Board Chair Jon McGavin
The evening’s highest honor, the 2025 Charles Andrews Memorial Hospitality Award, was presented posthumously to David Siegel, founder, president and CEO of Westgate Resorts. The award was accepted by members of his family, including Jacqueline Siegel, David Siegel Jr. and Daniel Siegel. Named in honor of CFHLA’s first board chair, Charles Andrews, the award represents the association’s most prestigious recognition.
Siegel founded Westgate Resorts in 1982 with its first property built on an orange grove he owned in Kissimmee, Florida. Under his leadership, the company grew into the largest privately held timeshare company in the world and one of the nation’s largest resort developers, operating more than 13,500 rooms across 22 resorts in the United States. Prior to his passing in April 2025, Siegel announced plans to expand to more than 44 resort destinations under the VI Resorts by Westgate brand.
Throughout his career, Siegel exemplified the entrepreneurial spirit that helped transform Central Florida into a global travel destination. Westgate Resorts also became the largest private employer in the region.
Beyond his business achievements, Siegel was widely recognized for his philanthropic and advocacy efforts. He was inducted into the Central Florida Hospitality Hall of Fame in 2013 by the University of Central Florida and was honored earlier this year with the American Resort Development Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
Following the death of his daughter Victoria in 2015, Siegel dedicated himself to combating the nation’s drug epidemic. He founded the Victoria’s Voice Foundation and advocated for expanded access to naloxone through congressional outreach and public education. A military veteran, Siegel also donated more than 28,000 complimentary vacations to members of the armed services. In 2025, the Westgate Foundation distributed $1.5 million in grants to community-focused organizations nationwide.
CFHLA also recognized several industry professionals for excellence and leadership:
Barb Bowden, area managing director of Loews Hotels at Universal Orlando, received the 2025 CFHLA Lodging Member of the Year Award.
Glen Lyons, president of ATMFLA Inc., received the 2025 CFHLA Allied Member of the Year Award.
William “Bill” Mathews, director of engineering at the Sheraton Orlando Lake Buena Vista Resort, received the 2025 CFHLA Engineer of the Year Award.
Together, these honorees exemplify the leadership, innovation and community commitment that continue to drive Central Florida’s hospitality and tourism industry forward.
