Oklahoma City Community College partnered with the Oklahoma Hispanic Institute to recognize the state’s Top 40 Hispanic leaders on Sept. 13.

The inaugural event held at the OCCC Visual and Performing Arts Center attracted more than 300 Hispanic leaders, community advocates, elected officials, and business and education leaders. Oklahoma City Community College was presenting sponsor and host for the event.

“Oklahoma City Community College is honored to support this celebration of Hispanic leaders in Oklahoma," said Dr. Mautra Staley Jones, president of OCCC. "OCCC is community-focused, and as an emerging Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), serving the multifaceted educational needs of the Hispanic population in Oklahoma is a high priority at our institution.”

The luncheon featured entertainment by Mariachi Orgullo and a keynote speech by Francisco Ibarra, CEO of Supermercados Morelos, who was recognized as one of the 2023 honorees.

“For the first time in the history of the state of Oklahoma, Hispanic leaders came together to celebrate and acknowledge the success, history and future ambitions of our Hispanic communities statewide,” said Oklahoma Hispanic Institute Founder and Chairman Fred Mendoza. “Hispanic leaders are successful and present at all levels of society – in education, public service, business/corporate, governmental affairs, elected officials, and virtually all levels and roles in the private sector. This historic event is long overdue and is critical to the advancement of the Hispanic population of Oklahoma.”

The 2023 Top 40 Hispanic Leaders:

Cinthya Allen, Arvest Bank

Lemuel Bardeguez, Oklahoma City Community College

Jessica Martinez-Brooks, Metro Technology Centers

Sen. Michael Brooks, Oklahoma Senate

Miriam Campos, JP Morgan Chase

Deanna Cardenas, Chinowth & Cohen

Joe Cardenas, Smith Roberts Baldischwiler LLC

David Castillo, Greater Oklahoma City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Pilar Cipollone, District Office of Congressman Frank Lucas

Norma Condreay, El Latino American Newspaper

Judge Heather Mendoza Coyle, Oklahoma County Seventh Judicial District

Lucy Fusselman, Make-A-Wish Oklahoma

Chris Fusselman, Tyler Media

Patricia Fennell, Latino Community Development Agency

Nancy Galvan, KZUE La Tremenda Radio Mexico

Ana Garcia, Integris Family Care Southwest

Anthony Garcia, Raymond James OKC

Daniel Garcia, True Sky Credit Union

Michael (Miguel) Garcia, Fernandez Garcia Law

Sen. Jessica Garvin, Oklahoma Senate

Ronald Grant, Metro Technology Centers

Christianne Haas, Executive Office of the Governor of Oklahoma

Brenda Hernández, Tango PR

Cecelia Hernández-Cromwell, Tyler Media/Telemundo

Estela Hernandez, Office of U.S. Senator James Lankford

Jorge Hernández, Tango PR

Francisco Ibarra, Supermercados Morelos

Randy Quiroga-King, El Nacional Spanish Media Group

Rep. Annie Menz, Oklahoma House of Representatives

Miguel Mireles, Blessed Stanley Rother National Shrine

Isai Molina, McAfee Taft Law Firm

Salvador Ontiveros, Latino Community Development Agency

Juanita Ortiz, Oklahoma City Community College

Saidy Orellana, Oklahoma Historical Society

Edurne Pineda, Oklahoma City Mexican Consulate

Ramón Rentería-Lara, Oklahoma State Parks

Robert Ruiz, Oklahoma City Community College

Rep. Arturo Alonso-Sandoval, Oklahoma House of Representatives

Joshua Shultz, Del City Chamber of Commerce

Gloria Torres, Calle Dos Cinco

About Oklahoma City Community College

Since its inception in 1972, Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC) has been the heartbeat of the Metro, dedicated to empowering learners and strengthening communities. Serving nearly 18,000 students, we are committed to producing leaders. “Student Success, Community Enrichment” is our mission as we offer more than 60 degree and certificate programs that provide a steppingstone to further education or immediate career readiness. We remain dedicated to providing accessible, affordable, high-quality education that equips students to achieve personal and professional goals. OCCC is more than an institution; we are a community catalyst, fostering growth and success in our city, our workforce, and the lives of our students. Discover your potential at OCCC, where your future is our purpose. Visit us at occc.edu.