Event: 10th FHCI Liberty Bell

★Ibero-American Woman of the Year Medal
Is an electrical engineer who became the first Mexican woman to travel to space in June 2022 as part of the Blue Origin NS-21 mission aboard a New Shepard spacecraft. She has worked on five NASA missions, including Perseverance and the Europa Clipper. She has an Honoris Causa Doctorate for her humanitarian contributions to society and technology.
She is currently actively working to socialize the constitutional reform in space matters that considers activities in space as priorities for the country’s development, She also launched her Space Foundation, with which she developed the first aerospace camp in Mexico and Latin America.

★Ibero-American Diplomacy Medal
Governor Mike Dunleavy arrived in Alaska in 1983 as a young man looking for opportunity, and he found it. His first job was working in a logging camp in Southeast Alaska. Later on, Governor Dunleavy pursued his dream of becoming a teacher. He earned his teacher’s certificate, and then a master of education degree from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. He spent nearly two decades in northwest Arctic communities working as a teacher, principal, and superintendent.

★Ibero-American Community Medal
Served on the City of Wasilla Planning Commission for six (6) years and subsequently served as a City of Wasilla Council Member from January 2017 through October 2020. During her time on City Council Mayor Ledford acted as Deputy Mayor from July 2019 through October 2020. Mayor Ledford is the current President of the Alaska Conference of Mayors (ACoM); proudly serves on the Alaska Workforce Investment Board (AWIB); and is an active member of the Pre-MPO Policy Board for the Mat-Su Valley.

★Ibero-American Commerce Medal
Thanks to the perseverance he has in his work, he has grown professionally, providing a source of employment for more than 300 people.
His trajectory has paved the way for other restaurateur creating a bigger and more united Hispanic community.

★Ibero-American Lifetime Achievement Medal
Financier, banker, founder and first president of Women’s World Banking. Walsh was one a handful of women working on Wall Street in the 1950s when she became the first female manager to represent Merrill Lynch in its Beirut, Lebanon office in 1960. In 1970, Walsh became the first woman to make partner at the Wall Street brokerage firm Boettcher and Company. Walsh served as a project director at the US Congressional Office of Technology Assessment where she consulted on appropriate technology.

★Ibero-American Education Medal
Mat-Su Borough educator for 27 years. Earned Bachelor’s from UAF, Master’s from Western Oregon, and Administrative Certification from National University. Named Region 8 Principal of the Year in 2017 and 2023. Most proud of Fronteras being recognized as a 2023 Exemplary High Performing National Blue Ribbon School.

★Ibero-American Sports Medal
Andrew is a Paralympic gold and silver medalist born in Palmer, Alaska. He started skiing shortly after injuring his spine at age 13. He’s had to overcome adversity to become a dominant force in adaptive skiing, inspiring others with his determination and achievements.

★Ibero-American Activism Medal
Charles’ family originally comes from Point Hope and Kotzebue, and he is a Sitnasuak & Bering Straits shareholder from Nome who is enrolled with the Nome Eskimo Community. Charles attended Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, where he graduated with a Bachelors in Sociology.
Since returning to Alaska, Charles has assisted Tribes, non-profits and Alaska Native Corporations by providing training and facilitating projects in rural Alaska.

★Ibero-American Philanthropy Medal
Born in Sinaloa Mexico.. Married, has three children. Worked with PPEP Youth Build 2 decades training farmworker youth in housing
construction skills,GED, and college certifications. The man of the Year forArizona twice. His youth work recognized nationally as 100’s youth have been skill trained .

★Ibero-American Diversity and Inclusion
Adelina Rodríguez is the Mat-Su College Interim Director of Student Services since July of 2020. Adelina has over 18 years working in higher education. She has taught courses designed as an introduction to the university and its resources; with an emphasis on development of academic and personal skills, that enable freshmen to become successful learners. Adelina approaches her work from a student-centered perspective and the lens of diversity, equity and inclusion.

★Ibero-American Humanitarian

In 1976 he came to Alaska became a member of laborers local 341 and retired in 1995. Since then he has volunteer his time to Community work & organizations since 1990 to present:

Our Lady of  Guadalupe Church, HOLA, CLASE, KSKA 91.1 FM, IME, Federacion de Michoacanos en Alaska

Under the FEDEMIAK he was able to go Mexico Congress and speak about the needs of a Mexican consulate office in Alaska , He was able to get them to approve the opening of the Mexican Consulate in 2008.

★Ibero-American Altruism
Comfort Nayaa Asher Arnold  was born in  Ghana, West Africa. As a girl she was denied education . Yet  became an integral part of the Ghana Rural Health Ministry.   She has volunteered a decade as the Ghana Country Diabetes Coordinator for the Tree of Life Foundation and PPEP inc. Presenter at national forums including USDOL ,  FHC.   www.ppep.org

As the visionary behind Exceptional Leadership Solutions, Carmen aims to elevate lives and maximize organizational ROI. Her intentional leadership techniques transcend inefficient dynamics, fostering high-performing teams. With over two decades of executive experience, she integrates her Latina background, two engineering degrees, MBA, coaching certifications, and roles as an International TEDx and Keynote Speaker

Model, public speaker, television host, and dancer. She is the representative of the Mexican community in the United States in the Miss Mexico Beauty Pageant. She created her social project Brighter Days, hand in hand with PPEP Organization where she seeks to guide and inspire youth to fight for their dreams, and transform future generations.

Is originally from Bolivia, with over 18 years demonstrated success helping organizations to increase their brand awareness and engage global audiences through communication strategies and journalism. She has a master’s in communication for Social Change, is the VP of the Bolivian Foundation and currently works as the spokesperson for the Latino media at New Jersey Department of Health.

Christopher Green (he/him) is the Deputy District Director for the Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission’s (“EEOC”) San Francisco District Office.  In this role, Mr. Green helps manage the District’s
operations, including the enforcement of federal laws prohibiting discrimination, harassment, and
retaliation in the workplace.  Prior to his current position, Mr. Green served as an investigator with the
Commission’s Oakland office, and later as the Director of the San Diego and Albuquerque offices. He
has also worked for a variety of non-profit organizations involved with youth empowerment and
immigrant civic engagement programs.  Mr. Green graduated from the University of California – San
Diego where he studied U.S.-Mexico border issues.

Victim Advocate/Social Justice Activist/Artist/Filmmaker
Brandy is a recognized leader in the State of Utah regarding domestic violence and crime prevention education and has developed 100s curriculum to educate faith leaders, law enforcement, healthcare providers, journalist, business and professional leaders and Judges. Her story has been published in national newspapers and magazines, numerous books, including 4 documentaries. She’s personally responsible to getting Dating Violence Prevention funding added to Violence Against Women Act in Congress. She is the President of Centro Civico Mexicano in Salt Lake City that received the 2nd Campana Libertad.

Gloria Arredondo, Mexican author and artist. Woman’s rights advocate, social communicator and passionate poet for truth. Holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and Minor In Chicano Studies.
Gloria has written hundreds of newspaper articles and published six books. Gloria serves as Vice President of ‘Fundación Honoris Causa Internacional’ Utah.

27 years of teaching experience in the Baldwin Park Unified School District, 6 years as a 3rd grade bilingual teacher, 18 years as a 6th grade math teacher, 3 years as a 3rd grade math teacher.

Education:
-High School diploma from Escuela Preparatoria José G. Montes in Tlaltenango, Zac. México
-Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from U. of California, Irvine
-Master’s degree in School Administration from Cal-Poly Pomona.

As a speaker and President of the Mexican Federation of Sports Yoga, she spearheads an initiative advocating for a bill in the Mexican Congress to incorporate sports yoga into school curricula. The aim is to combat bullying and childhood obesity

Serves as the ESL Student Advocate at a local community college in California. Dedicated to support non-English speakers who are unfamiliar with the U.S. education system. Angelina was recognized by the San Diego Magazine as a Pioneer in Education for her dedication in serving vulnerable community college students. In addition, she was named the 2024 California Mother of the Year® at the National Convention of American Mothers. As a MORE collaborator, she has learned how to share her knowledge with thousands of women in Latin America thanks to MORE Latinoamérica.

Maritza Lynn Higuera, born in Tucson, Arizona, and raised in Nogales Sonora, Mexico, has a profound understanding of migrant challenges from her border-town upbringing. As Health and Nutrition Coordinator for the Head Start Program across four counties, she’s dedicated to aiding children and families. Maritza spearheaded Santa Cruz County’s inaugural mobile library in 2022 and advocates for bilingual education and childhood nutrition. Through her work, she empowers families to embrace language diversity and educational opportunities.

Dr. Jesús Gerardo Bernal, a seasoned movement expert with 20+ years, transitioned from chiropractic practice to purposeful stretching. Pioneering clinics across Southern Arizona, delving into real estate, and coaching numerous businesses, he now channels expertise through MueveFlex. Passionate about fostering flexibility, strength, and health, he believes in enhancing lives by moving better, feeling better, and embracing vitality.

Adam Galindo came to Alaska in 1969. Adam attended the local schools. Upon graduation joined the Alaska Air National Guard to pursue his love of aviation. As a member of the Alaska Air Guard he completed his Bachelor of Science from Wayland Baptist University. In 2007, Adam retired from the 211 Rescue Squadron as a Flight Engineer with numerous deployments supporting the war on terrorism. Adam rejoined the family business where he currently works and serves on numerous boards of other organization.

Brian McMullan is an Alaskan calligrapher that has been perfecting his art for almost two decades. More recently, Brian has delved into the handcrafting of historical document replicas, with the Declaration of Independence at the forefront. His added interest in this is due to his personal relation to Thomas Jefferson and Timothy Matlack, penman of the Declaration. He is currently the only known individual in the United States creating these replicas.

Resident since 2004, assistant at the Mexican Consulate in 2009, real state agent – broker, investor, and business owner.
With all her enthusiasm and love his time is directed to undertake new business ventures and help the Latino community.

She works for National Life Group promoting life insurance with LIVING BENEFITS. Life insurance is an act of LOVE. Helping one family at a time. Life insurance is more AFFORDABLE than you think.

Carmen Robles, accomplished REALTOR® has empowered Alaska’s Hispanic community, guiding over 100 families through their first home purchases and long-term investments. Dedicated to building wealth and fostering homeownership, Carmen brings expertise and passion to real estate, fueled by a profound love for the unique experience of living in Alaska.

A New York Life Agent, who helps individuals, families, and businesses. She has connected through a variety of communities throughout Alaska. She is a bilingual speaker fluent in Spanish and English. Passionate about helping clients build a strong financial future through training, experience, and the products offered.

Co-owner of Big Bubba’s Trailers Alaska, a trailer sales company, and Big Bubba’s AK, LLC, a cross-border freight company. Chase has 16 years’ experience in the sales industry and 12 years’ experience owning multiple businesses. He is a bilingual American, fluent in English and Spanish with a deep Latino culture understanding.

Olga Narino is an Economist with a Master’s degree in Public Administration. She has 17 years of experience in business administration and commercial real estate investing. She and her husband own and operate Premier Valley Homes, a residential construction company that focuses on helping first-time homeowners to achieve their dream home with quality at a good value.

With over two decades in property management, Evelyn Luna specializes in optimizing rental properties and enhancing tenant satisfaction. A respected Latina leader in real estate, she leverages her expertise to maximize investment returns and foster community growth. Her commitment to excellence in property management sets her apart in the industry