Prominent Leaders Honored at CHLI Annual Gala in Washington

WASHINGTON, May 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- An influential group of leaders and policymakers gathered at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel to celebrate leadership, service, and achievement within the Hispanic community at the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute's (CHLI) 21st Annual Gala and Leadership Awards.

The event recognized individuals who have made a profound impact on Hispanic communities through their commitment to leadership, community, and diversity of thought. — values that anchor CHLI's mission.

"CHLI was honored to recognize the remarkable achievements of President Luis Abinader Corona, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Representatives Maria Elvira Salazar and Juan Vargas, and CHLI alumnus Keith Fernandez," said CHLI Chairwoman, The Honorable Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. "Each of this year's honorees embodies CHLI's enduring commitment to freedom and the powerful values of family, community, and leadership that guide our mission."

President Abinader Corona received the CHLI Founders International Leadership Award in recognition of his leadership on behalf of the Dominican Republic's diaspora and his efforts to strengthen ties with the U.S. "The United States has been a key ally," Abinader Corona said. "From the beginning of my term in 2020, I underscored the importance of our relationship, saying: 'We are going to strengthen our strategic relationship with the United States, our main trading partner and home to two million of our fellow citizens.'"

Secretary of State Rubio was honored with the CHLI Lifetime Leadership Award for his longstanding contributions to public service. Reflecting on his career path, Rubio said, "I can tell you with certainty that I don't believe that I could have had, not only the success, but the opportunity, had it not been for the fact that I had an opportunity to intern or to volunteer. And I do think as much as anything else, when you talk about CHLI, what you are talking about is the empowerment of young people who have a desire to in some way contribute to public service."

U.S. Representative Maria Elvira Salazar was awarded the CHLI Leadership in Public Service Award and dedicated the honor to the late Honorable Lincoln Diaz-Balart, the founding chairman of CHLI. "His vision for CHLI was to uplift Hispanic voices in public service and create a forum for people like you and me to debate our ideas and showcase them to the country. It's what I try to do every day as a Member of Congress—to fight for our communities, fight for the issues impacting our families, and make your lives just a little bit easier."

Rep. Juan Vargas, who also received the Leadership in Public Service Award, reflected on his journey as the son of Mexican immigrants. "I'm honored to receive the CHLI 2025 Leadership in Public Service Award," Vargas said. "As the proud son of Mexican immigrants, I believe in the American Dream. My parents worked hard to provide opportunities for their children and make sure we knew we could achieve anything we set our mind to. In Congress, I'm committed to supporting the next generation of Latino leaders and ensuring everyone in this country has a shot at achieving their own American Dream."

Keith Fernandez, former president of the CHLI Alumni Association, received the CHLI Ambassador Award for his work in fostering future leaders and professionals. "I'm humbled to receive the 2025 CHLI Ambassador Award and am deeply grateful to Chairwoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, the CHLI Board, CHLI's President and CEO Mary Ann Gomez Orta, and CHLI alumni for this wonderful honor," Fernandez said. "Thanks to the leadership and vision of CHLI's founding Chairman, the Honorable Lincoln Diaz-Balart, hundreds of Hispanic men and women are able to experience life-changing internships and launch careers in public service, nonprofit advocacy, and business."

The gala attracted a wide array of elected officials, civic and corporate leaders, diplomats, and international guests. Sponsors of the event included Comcast NBCUniversal | Telemundo, Capital One, Altria Client Services, Amazon, American Airlines, Haleon, PMI | U.S., T-Mobile, and Wells Fargo. The funds from the Annual Awards Gala go to support CHLI's Leadership Development programs - including the CHLI Global Leaders internship, communications internship, Summer Law Fellowship and The Lincoln Diaz-Balart Public Service Fellowship.

For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Maytee Sanz, Director of Philanthropy and External Affairs, at [email protected].

To view more pictures of CHLI's 21st Annual Gala and Leadership Awards, click here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCdWxY

ABOUT CHLI:
The Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute (CHLI) is the premier organization founded by former Members of Congress to advance economic prosperity with a focus on social responsibility and global competitiveness. CHLI is dedicated to advancing the Hispanic community's diversity of thought and fostering a broad awareness of the heritage, interests, and views of Americans of Hispanic and Portuguese descent.

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SOURCE The Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute