Latin American Excelente Awards 2023
Saturday, September 16, 2023 — Hilton Charlotte Uptown
Other editions: 2024
Winners
Student of the Year
Andrea Carolina Ojeda
Queens University of Charlotte · Political Science
Andrea Carolina Ojeda
Student of the Year
Andrea is originally from Venezuela. She came to live in the United States with her parents and siblings 7 years ago. She is a raising junior at Queens University of Charlotte majoring in political science with a minor in legal studies. She is an accomplished student with a GPA of 4.0 – straight As. She is expected to graduate in May 2024 which means that she will finish her bachelor's degree in 2 years instead of 4. Her biggest dream is to become an immigration attorney to have the opportunity to help families navigate the complex process of immigrating to the United States. Some of her extracurricular activities include: Participation in athletics and the dance team at Queens.
Community Service Person of the Year
Magbis Nuñez Love
Community Liaison · Atrium Health's Levine Cancer Institute
Magbis Nuñez Love
Community Service Person of the Year
Magbis is a first-generation immigrant from Venezuela. She has been working in Atrium Health for 15 years. In 2021 she was promoted to her current position as Community Liaison, where she is happy to design and implement community health programs to prevent the occurrence of cancer, as well as support cancer survivors in Mecklenburg and four surrounding counties. She is a founding member and director of Alliance of Venezuelans in Charlotte. An organization that has assisted thousands of newly arrived immigrant families to the Charlotte area. She serves on the board of directors of Learning Help Centers of Charlotte, an organization that give academic support to immigrant children. Magbis actively participates with organizations like Enlace, the Latin American Coalition, “Póngale Vida a sus Años” (Add life to your years) a group that provides support to Latino seniors. She earned her bachelor's degree in psychology from Rafael Urdaneta University and a master's degree in human resources management from Rafael Maria Baralt University. She is the proud mother of Valerie and Megan Love. Valerie is a freshman in college, and Megan is a Junior in high school.
Higher Education Teacher of the Year
Susana Cisneros
Senior Lecturer in Spanish · UNC Charlotte
Susana Cisneros
Higher Education Teacher of the Year
Susana Cisneros is originally from Argentina and came to Charlotte 18 years ago. She has been a Spanish professor at the Department of Languages and Culture Studies at the University of North Carolina Charlotte, for the last 15 years. She is a talented, hard-working professor who goes out of her way to help her students succeed. She is completely dedicated to the teaching profession. Students in her courses learn how the culture embedded in the language fosters deep critical thinking skills, a bigger frame of reference and an opportunity to embrace growth. Graduating seniors, on their exit surveys, regularly name Susana as the one person at UNC Charlotte who has made the most significant, positive contribution to their education. In 2022 Susana was recognized by the Foreign Language Association of North Carolina with the Higher Education Teacher of the Year Award. She believes in giving back to her community, so she shares her time and talent with local organizations such as Camino Community Center, Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department, Latin American Chamber of Commerce of Charlotte and Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools. She is an attorney, graduated from the National University of Córdoba in Argentina and she holds a Master of Arts in Spanish – Translation and Translating Studies, from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Non-Latin Person Most Supportive of the Latin American Community
Rubie R. Britt-Height
Director of Community Relations · The Mint Museum
Rubie R. Britt-Height
Non-Latin Person Most Supportive of the Latin American Community
Rubie R. Britt-Height is the Director of Community Relations and Co-Leader of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility at The Mint Museum, Charlotte, NC. Now in her 15th year, she creates and presents public and in-community programs and events. She founded Mint to Move Cultural Dance Night, the Romare Bearden Society, Community Conversations, Mint to be Royal, and Emerging Artists Respond to Mint Exhibitions. Britt-Height is also a member of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Public Arts Commission and the Mecklenburg Reimagined Historic Latta Committee. She previously served as the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Director of Community Affairs, Richmond, VA. She has 35+ years of experience in communications: Television, Radio, Newspaper, Journalism, Public Affairs, and Public and Community Relations, and Community Trust Building. A native Virginian, Britt-Height loves spending time with her two daughters, Brittanie A. Height, DMD, and Chauncie K. Height, traveling, spending time with her immediate and extended family, participating in mission and church ministry programs, and using Art and Advocacy as Catalysts for Change.
Businesswoman of the Year
Grace Landin Nystrum
Charlotte Market Executive · Bank of America
Grace Landin Nystrum
Businesswoman of the Year
Grace is responsible for helping lead the bank's local efforts to help businesses, families and individuals improve their financial lives. Working closely with Bank of America Charlotte President and the bank's entire Charlotte market team, Grace is responsible for delivering for clients, 19,000+ employees, and the community. Her role includes overseeing community partnerships, sponsorships, and philanthropy. She has been a pivotal part of the bank's Charlotte market team. She brings significant experience from her time in the company, most recently leading Bank of America's Hispanic-Latino, Arts & Culture, among other strategic priorities within the company and the Charlotte community. Prior to her Charlotte market executive responsibilities, Grace served as a Bank of America executive on loan to a local nonprofit. As their acting executive director, she developed a comprehensive strategy, created operational efficiency, increased fundraising, and helped expand the organization. She has also held strategic marketing leadership roles within Consumer, Small Business Banking and Global Commercial Banking, including Business Banking, Dealer Financial Services and Middle Market. Grace is active in the community. She serves on the City of Charlotte's Arts and Culture and Latin American Chamber of Commerce Advisory Boards. She is a board member of Carolina Small Business Development Fund and Charlotte Bilingual Preschool. Serves as the chair of Charlotte's Latino Leadership Council. Originally from San Antonio, Texas, Grace earned a BA & BBA from the University of the Incarnate Word. Grace and her family have lived in Charlotte since 2005.
Businessman of the Year
Bruno Macchiavello
Viva Chicken Founder · Yunta Nikkei Owner
Bruno Macchiavello
Businessman of the Year
Bruno was born in Lima, Peru and has lived in Charlotte for over thirty years. His hobbies include traveling, exploring new cuisines and spending quality time with his family. Bruno has a passion for the culinary arts and leveraging food as a way of uplifting the community. The spirit of community was instilled in him at a young age. Bruno's mother was a very generous woman, who would often open their home to anyone who may be hungry and taught Bruno the importance of nourishing neighbors with a meal and with company. Bruno's father was a businessman who had an excellent talent for cooking. He inspired Bruno to use the Peruvian-Italian traditions prepared in their home, to continuously improve his own techniques and explore all global influences on Peruvian food. Bruno has been a business owner/founder/partner for the last 10 years of the following businesses: Yunta Nikkei, Viva Chicken with 17 locations and Poplar Street Wine Bar. He gives employment to more than 652 people. At his restaurants he is always looking for a balance between flavor, healthy food and high quality ingredients. He believes that the best way for him to give back to the community is by educating them about the importance of consuming fresh, healthy foods to ensure a long life and to feel your best on an everyday basis.
Photo gallery
Sponsors
- Atrium Health
- Truist
- Piedmont Natural Gas
- Food Lion
- AT&T
- Central Piedmont Community College
- Publix
- Novant Health
- WCNC Charlotte
- Wells Fargo
- Latin American Chamber of Commerce of Charlotte
- Sussman Law Firm
- urbanCORE
- Bank of America
- Foundation For The Carolinas
Organized by La Noticia