Excelente Awards

UNC Chapel Hill

Guided by an unwavering work ethic and a commitment to service, Isabella has dedicated her youth to supporting others, particularly through initiatives centered on the health and well-being of women and children. Her dedication extends beyond community volunteering—from childcare to hospital service—into impactful academic contributions. Demonstrating exceptional initiative, Isabella has co-authored and published research on gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) to help advance healthcare for women. As she prepares to pursue a pre-medical pathway at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Isabella has been accepted into both the UNC Honors College and its accelerated research program. Overcoming financial hardships and navigating her journey independently in honor of her parents' sacrifices, she turns every challenge into an opportunity. Isabella represents the best of the next generation: a compassionate future physician determined to dedicate her life to medicine, research, and community care.

Executive Director CharlotteEAST

A North Carolina native, Greg earned his B.A. in Journalism from the University of Southern California, focusing on Latin American politics and poverty alleviation. Driven by a passion for community, he returned home to spend a decade empowering youth as an English teacher at Garinger High School. His dedication earned him honors as Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Teacher of the Year and the City of Charlotte’s Educator Mentor of the Year. Transitioning from the classroom to community advocacy, Greg served as Board Chair before becoming CharlotteEAST’s inaugural Executive Director in 2024. Today, he champions neighborhood revitalization, small business growth, and cross-sector partnerships across the greater Eastland area. Under his leadership, CharlotteEAST has expanded opportunities for East Charlotte’s vibrant, diverse neighborhoods—home to one of North Carolina’s largest and fastest-growing Latino business communities. Recognized as QC Nerve’s Best Community Organizer and the City of Charlotte’s Greatest Neighborhood Champion, Greg continues to forge strategic partnerships that elevate local voices and foster a thriving, connected community.

Founder & CEO HABILIDADX Chair, ENLACE Charlotte

Irlanda is the Founder and CEO of HABILIDADX, Chair of ENLACE Charlotte, and a visionary Latino Disability Advocate with nearly three decades of experience supporting individuals with disabilities and Latino families. Her work integrates storytelling, leadership development, and systems navigation to help communities move from simply being served to being seen, included, and empowered to lead. Originally from Puerto Rico, Irlanda migrated with her family in search of opportunity, living in New York and Florida before making Charlotte home. Her lived experience as a caregiver and cancer survivor forged a resilient leadership style grounded in empathy and action. As a lawyer holding a Master’s Degree in Education, she purposefully combined legal credibility and educational expertise to dismantle complex systemic barriers with dignity. Through HABILIDADX, launched in 2024, Irlanda helped convene the Coalition for the Advancement of Latinos with Disabilities (CALD)—a statewide collaborative of 25+ organizations. She has impacted nearly 1,000 individuals through convenings, guided 21 community members to become published authors, and championed essential respite care initiatives for caregivers. In recognition of her extraordinary impact, she was named the 2025 Advocate of the Year by the Latin American Coalition.

RentMeUSA Inc UniMujeres Inc Yvonne Farfán Finanzas

Yvonne is a visionary Mexican-born entrepreneur, international speaker, and CEO who has spent 26 years empowering the Latino community in Charlotte through faith, leadership, and wealth creation. She leads three impactful enterprises generating over $1.4 million in combined annual revenue: RentMeUSA Inc. ($368,000 revenue, 9 employees), UniMujeres Inc. ($32,000 revenue, 1 employee), and Yvonne Farfán Finanzas ($1Million revenue), backed by a team of 10 financial agents and 3 international real estate advisors. Guided by integrity, continuous education, and servant leadership, Ivonne believes successful businesses have a core responsibility to uplift others. Beyond her business achievements, Yvonne consistently invests in community well-being. Through RentMeUSA, she donates equipment and logistics to churches and nonprofits. Through UniMujeres and her financial platforms, she generously supports initiatives that strengthen families, encourage economic opportunity, and empower individuals—especially Latinas—to reach their full potential and build generational wealth. Her leadership reflects compassion, generosity, and an authentic desire to make a lasting difference. Yvonne’s journey proves to aspiring Latino entrepreneurs that through preparation, faith, and purposeful service, it is possible to build both a thriving business and an enduring legacy.

Founder The Social Rook

Giovani is the Founder of The Social Rook, a Charlotte-based, award-winning digital marketing agency launched in 2018. Giovani has grown the firm to $1.2 million in annual revenue, guiding a team of 14 to help startups, non-profits, and global brands thrive through strategic marketing and fractional CMO services. A proud UNC Charlotte alumnus, Giovani leads with a human-centered philosophy focused on integrity, sustainable growth, and empowering others. Overcoming early career barriers, he now uses his platform to uplift Charlotte’s Latino community. He established The Gonzalez Scholarship to fund first-generation college students, serves on the Board of Directors for the Charlotte Bilingual Learning Center (chairing the Advancement Committee), and previously served on the board for Latin Americans Working for Achievement (LAWA). Additionally, he teaches aspiring business owners through SkillPop to turn ideas into scalable ventures. Driven by devotion to his family, Giovani remains committed to building a lasting legacy, mentoring future leaders, and proving that community investment and business excellence go hand in hand.