26th Don Quijote Awards Winners Announced

Orlando, FL- The Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando and Prospera co-hosted the 26th annual Don Quijote Awards Gala on December 9,2023, at Epcot’s World Showplace Pavilion. The gala was proudly sponsored by Walt Disney World Resort, Wells Fargo and OUC the Reliable One. The Don Quijote Awards is the premier event for the region’s Hispanic business community, where businesses and individuals are recognized for exemplifying qualities of the classic Don Quijote literary character: vision, courage, and community impact. 

Yamile Luna, Chief Operating Officer at AdvenHealth Winter Garden and Clermont, served as the Chair of the Gala this year. In this role, she led the Don Quijote Awards Selection Committee that reviewed the nominations and selected the finalists and winners. The selection criteria are based on professional accomplishments, financial success and growth, innovation, contributions to their industry, demonstrated leadership, community involvement and professional honors & recognition. The recipients of the 26th Don Quijote Awards are:

Lifetime Achievement: Jan Aspuru, Retired Orlando Utilities Commission Senior Executive.

Excellence: Dr. María Vázquez, Orange County Public Schools Superintendent

Hispanic Community Champion: Jeff Hayward, President & CEO, Heart of Florida United Way

Professional of the Year: Dr. Cyndia Muñiz, Senior Director of Hispanic Serving Institution Initiatives and Partnerships at the University of Central Florida

Hispanic Business of the Year, More than Five Years: Competitive Edge Partners & Consulting, represented by its owner Debbie Rodriguez

Hispanic Business of the Year, Five Years or Less:  BOLD Hispanic Marketing Agency, represented by its owner, Ana Carolina Salazar

This year’s theme was inspired by masterpieces and surrealist art of some of the most iconic Latin artists such as Picasso, Frida Kahlo, Salvador Dalí and Diego Rivera.  The Opera of Orlando took center stage at this prestigious gala, captivating audiences with a mesmerizing performance including a selection from their upcoming production Frida, that left an indelible mark on the event.  Ybeth Bruzual, news anchor at Spectrum News 13 served as the emcee. She added an extra layer of distinction to the evening, with her hosting skills and joyful personality. will enhance the overall experience for our guests. After the award ceremony, the dance floor came alive as DJ Lyrick from Rumba 100.3 FM brought a fusion of vibrant Latin beats & rhythms that had attendees moving to the music throughout the evening.

The Don Quijote Awards are made possible thanks to the support of Walt Disney World Resort, Wells Fargo, OUC- The Reliable One, 1st SOS Staffing, AdventHealth, Bank of America, Duke Energy, Florida Blue, Universal Orlando Resort, Orlando Health, Travel + Leisure, VyStar, Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, Ana G. Mendez University, The Catholic Foundation of Central Florida, JCQ Services, JP Morgan Chase, One Second Pictures Creative, Orlando Magic, Clear Channel Outdoors, Florida National News, iHeart Media, Orlando Business Journal, El Osceola Star, La Prensa Newspaper, and Univision Orlando, Nosotras Latinas Magazine, among many more. For more information on the Don Quijote Awards, please visit www.donquijoteawards.com.

Press Room