Soledad O’Brien
September 22, 2009
http://www.latinoleadersnetwork.org/media/lln-luncheon-20090922.flv
Soledad O’Brien, anchor and special correspondent for CNN, was featured as the key note speaker at the Latino Leaders Network Luncheon Series on September 22, 2009. LLN Founder and Chairman Mickey Ibarra presented O’Brien with the Nambe Eagle award for efforts and contributions to the Latino community. “Her highly anticipated documentary, “Latino in America,” which will be released in October on the eve of the U.S. census that is expected to officially confirm that Latino Americans are our nation’s largest minority group, will bring a new level of understanding and awareness of the contributions of our community to the social and civic fabric of our nation,” said Ibarra.
The award-winning reporter is nationally known for her breaking news coverage and special documentaries, including Hurricane Katrina and the tsunami in Southeast Asia. O’Brien joined NBC News in 1991 and was based in New York as a field producer for Nightly News and TODAY. She is one of six siblings to graduate from Harvard University. O’Brien is the daughter of a Afro-Cuban mother and an Irish father.
Francisco Cigarroa
June 30, 2009
http://www.latinoleadersnetwork.org/media/20090630-luncheon.flv
Dr. Francisco G. Cigarroa, the Chancellor of The University of Texas System, was awarded the Nambe Eagle Leadership Award at the latest Latino Leaders Luncheon Series(tm) for his work in the field of surgery and medical research. His many efforts and accomplishments in the medical field have made him “one of the foremost Latino medical leaders in the world,” as stated by Founder and Chairman of the Latino Leaders Network(tm), Mickey Ibarra.
The nationally prominent surgeon is the first Hispanic leader to be named the chief executive of a major university system and a U.S. health science university. Previously, he served as the President of the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. As a medical researcher, Dr. Cigarroa pioneered several surgical innovations such as the splitting of a donor liver for transplant into two recipients, and leading the surgical team that performed the region’s first successful small bowel transplant in a child.
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Additional speakers for the program included Latino Leaders Network Founder and Chairman, Mickey Ibarra; Rafaela Schwan with the Society for Professional Hispanic Engineers and special guest Congressman Ruben Hinojosa from Texas.
Xavier Becerra
April 1, 2009
http://www.latinoleadersnetwork.org/media/xavier_becerra.flv
Congressman Xavier Becerra, Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus was featured as the first speaker of the 2009 Latino Leaders Luncheon Series™. “Be a hitter,” said Congressman Becerra as he motivated the audience to strive for new achievements in the Latino community. “Never forget where you are going…while still remembering where you come from.” said Becerra as he shared his personal story of success.
The Democrat from California is the first Latino to serve on the Ways and Means Committee, Rep. Becerra has used his position to increase opportunities for working families, to improve the Social Security program for women and minorities, to combat poverty among the working poor, and to strengthen Medicare and ensure its long-term viability.
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Additional speakers included LLLS founder Mickey Ibarra and Eduardo Diaz, Executive Director of the Smithsonian Latino Center and Esther Aguilera, President and CEO of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute. Guest included President Barack Obama appointees such as Cecilia Munoz and Tom Perez.
Inaugural Dinner Celebration
January 18, 2009
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4749889979730051398
The Latino Leaders Network™ began the year by celebrating the new administration and honoring Latino appointees and nominees of President Barack Obama. More than 400 guests celebrated on January 18, 2009 at the Willard InterContinental Hotel. LLN’s Founder and Chairman Mickey Ibarra commemorated U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, Congresswoman Hilda Solis, nominated as U.S. Secretary of Labor and White House Director of Intergovernmental Affairs Cecilia Muñoz.
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Several prominent Hispanic leaders such as Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Puerto Rico’s Governor Luis Fortuño, Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chávez and Texas Senator Leticia Van De Putte give tributes to the three Latino appointees.