GANAS Spirit Awards Honor Outstanding Leaders at the Inaugural GANAS Summit + Expo

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Chicago, IL — Latinx Digital Leaders Now proudly announced the recipients of the 2025 GANAS Spirit Awards during the Inaugural GANAS Expo + Summit, held on March 28, 2025 at Roosevelt University. This annual gathering unites visionary leaders, emerging student entrepreneurs, corporate executives, and university stakeholders to drive LatinX representation and leadership in the tech industry.

Eight exceptional leaders were honored with awards for their contributions to the Latinx Digital Leadership Network (DLN) mission and for exemplifying the GANAS pillars across education, community, and industry sectors:

• Lou Sandoval, President & CEO, Illinois Chamber of Commerce
  • Recipient of the Industry Trailblazer in Tenacity & Vision Award – Lou is an industry trailblazer with transformative impacts in business development and entrepreneurial ventures. His visionary leadership and commitment to enhancing diversity and educational opportunities earn him the GANAS Spirit Award for Tenacity & Vision.
• Adela Cepeda, Chair & Co-Founder, Angeles Investors
  • Recipient of the Visionary of Economic Empowerment Award – Adela has been leading wealth creation through corporate board leadership and is a founder of venture capital organization Angeles Investors.
• Glen Brodowski, Dean, Walter E. Heller College of Business at Roosevelt University
  • Recipient of the Disruptor & HSI Partner Award – Glen was the first to represent an HSI offering to host GANAS as the inaugural partner, which made the event possible.
• Jennifer Kelsall, Superintendent, Ridgewood High School District 234
  • Recipient of the LatinX DLN Visionary Partner Award – Jennifer is a visionary high school superintendent with innovative programs for students to succeed in careers.
• Maggie Rivera, President & CEO, Illinois Migrant Council
  • Recipient of the Community Legacy Partner Award – Maggie was honored for her decades of leadership and impact in communities in Illinois and nationally.
• Sergio Rodriguez, President, Village of Summit
  • Recipient of the Community Founding Partner Award – Mayor Rodriguez has consistently supported school and library digital initiatives to promote STEM careers and community empowerment. 
• Cristian Julius, VP of Business Development, CSC Consulting
  • Recipient of the Exemplary Student Coach Award – Cristian is a dedicated IT professional and role model who inspires, motivates, and coaches students and young professionals.
• April Welch, Associate Vice President, Strategic Initiatives, Illinois Insitute of Design
  • Recipient of the Exemplary Student Coach Award – April was honored for her decades of mentoring and coaching high school and college students in STEM holistically, especially underrepresented groups.
    

“These awards are about heart and purpose, and honoring those who have a commitment to paying it forward,” said Caroline Sanchez Crozier, Founder & CEO. “Each recipient embodies the spirit of GANAS—grit, action, and a love for our community.”

About GANAS

What began as a student research project at the School of Design at Illinois Tech has blossomed into a powerful platform for change. Last spring, students in a Multidisciplinary Innovation class initially proposed the GANAS conference as a platform for LatinX Digital Leaders Now to connect high-profile tech leaders with students aspiring to leadership roles in technology. Less than a year later, with the unwavering support of LatinX DLN founder Caroline Sanchez Crozier, her dedicated team, and numerous supporters, this vision has become a reality.

The GANAS Summit + Expo was a collaboration between three Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), Roosevelt University, Dominican University, Illinois Tech (emerging HSI), and local organizations to enhance IT infrastructure and digital fluency within the Hispanic community.

About LatinX Digital Leaders Now

LatinX Digital Leaders Now (DLN) is an Illinois-based nonprofit organization that helps Latino students gain tech skills, leadership experience, and career opportunities in today’s digital world. 

For more information, event photos, or interview opportunities, please contact:

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