Human Rights and Social Justice
Rigoberta Menchu, 1992 Nobel Peace Prize Recipient

Rigoberta Menchú Tum, a member of the Quiche branch of the Mayan culture, first became involved in social reform as a teenager in her native Guatemala. When the army tortured and killed her own mother, father, and brother, she became active in educating the Indian peasant population in resistance to the massive military oppression. In 1981 she was forced to flee to Mexico. Her life story I, Rigoberta Menchú brought international attention to the struggle for human rights in Guatemala, and in 1992, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. She is widely known as a leading advocate for Indigenous Peoples in Guatemala and throughout the Western Hemisphere.
 

Art, Literature & Culture
Jose Maria DeLeon Hernandez, “Little Joe Y La Familia”

As one of the creators of “Tejano” music, Jose Maria DeLeon Hernandez has been breaking down cultural and musical barriers and delighting music lovers for over 40 years. His band “Little Joe & La Familia”, with its unique blend of traditional norteño ballads, polkas, swing, rock 'n' roll, blues, and honky-tonk, is one of the most popular Tex-Mex bands in the country. In 1992 he won a Grammy for Best Mexican-American Performance. He has owned his own record company and has fought the major record labels for equal pay for Chicano artists. He is currently working to bring the work of Texas songwriters to 33 countries, striving to bring people together through music 

Business and Community Development
Ann Padilla, CEO Sunnyside Temps

A native of Brighton, Colorado, Ann Padilla is the founder, president, and CEO of Sunny Side / Temp, one of the region's largest privately owned staffing services. She is a founding partner of Valor Telecom, a rural telecommunications company where she serves on the Board's Diversity Committee. She has received national rewards from the U.S. Small Business Administration and the U.S Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and has served on many boards. Currently she sits on the boards of the Denver Center for the Performing Arts and Wells Fargo's Small Business Advisory Council. As a leader she is known for championing a “bigger vision” for the role of business in society. 

Education
Christine Johnson, President, CCD

As president of the Community College of Denver, Dr. Christine Johnson leads one of the most culturally and ethnically diverse institutions in Colorado. She is the first Latina college president in Colorado. Before she came to CCD, she was the Chief Academic Officer for the statewide Colorado Community College System. She is a passionate champion for inclusive higher education, saying of CCD, “We're known for the students we let in, not those we weed out. We have established ourselves on a culture of academic inclusion – not exclusion.” With a doctorate from University of Colorado at Boulder, she is a well-known speaker and author of professional articles.

Politics and Social Action
Toney Anaya, Former Governor of New Mexico

Tony Anaya is a prominent New Mexico politician and national Latino leader. With a law degree from American University, he served as New Mexico's Attorney General and then as governor. As governor he took controversial stands opposing the death penalty, opposing discriminatory immigration legislation, and declaring New Mexico as a sanctuary for political refugees as a response to political turmoil in Central America. Since leaving public office, he serves on numerous boards and commissions, primarily focusing on Hispanic issues, education, and politics. He has long been an advocate for working on issues leading towards long-term, systematic institutional change.