Chicago, Illinois – Association Latinos announced today the 2023 Estrella Award and Inspira Award recipients, recognizing and celebrating exceptional individuals who have significantly contributed to their respective associations and the broader association profession. Both awards are aligned with the core mission of Association Latinos, which is to promote and enhance Latino representation, leadership, and inclusivity within associations while fostering a more diverse and inclusive association industry.

“Association Latinos Board of Directors is proud to announce the recipients of the inaugural Estrella and Inspira Awards. These two awards represent the talent and excellence within the Latinx association community and will be celebrated for decades to come. Our two inaugural recipients, Juan Amador, FASAE, CAE (Estrella Award), and Michael Pereira (Inspira Award), have shown excellence in their career achievements and leadership abilities and serve to inspire and set the standard for future generations of leaders.

The Board of Directors wishes to acknowledge our Award Committee members for making the vision of this recognition a reality. Our Estrella and Inspira Awards are the representation of the mission of the Association Latinos. We are grateful to our volunteers who have generously shared their knowledge and time to the development of our award program.”

The 2023 Estrella Award recipient is:
Juan Amador, FASAE, CAE, Society for Advancing Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS)

The 2023 Inspira Award recipient is:
Michael Pereira, NAFSA: Association of International Educators

“It is with great excitement that I offer my congratulations to the recipients of the Estrella and Inspira Awards,” said Diana Dabdub, CAE, director of admissions & recruitment affairs at the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges and Chair of the Association Latinos Awards & Recognition Committee. “These remarkable individuals serve as a testament to the extraordinary accomplishments of Latino association professionals. Their contributions transcend the walls of their respective associations, profoundly impacting the association profession itself and embodying the essence that the Estrella and Inspira awards symbolize.”

The 2023 Award recipients will be recognized on October 12 during the Association Latinos Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month and Awards Celebration in Chicago, IL, and Washington, DC.

For sponsorship, media, or more information about the awards ceremony, please contact Association Latinos at contact@associationlatinos.org.    

About the Estrella Award

The Estrella Award is presented to an association executive that has had a profound impact on the development and progression of their association and the association profession overall, in the context of the Association Latinos mission.

About the Inspira Award

The Inspira Award provides recognition to an early-career association professional who – in the context of the Association Latinos mission – has demonstrated high potential for continued success thanks to their strong passion for and commitment to their association and the association profession overall.