Annual celebration recognizes influential Latino men making an impact across business, media, arts, healthcare, public service and community leadership

NEW YORK, Oct. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — El Diario, the longest-running Spanish-language daily newspaper in the United States, will honor 20 influential Latino men at its 2026 EL Awards, celebrating leaders whose achievements, service and commitment are helping shape their industries and communities.

The ceremony will take place on Friday, October 9, 2026, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at The Harvard Club in New York City. The honorees will also be featured in a special El Diario supplement highlighting their accomplishments, personal journeys and contributions to the community.

Each year, the EL Awards recognize exceptional men who exemplify leadership, excellence and a commitment to advancing the Latino community. Honorees are nominated by the community, with finalists selected by El Diario’s editorial team as part of the publication’s longstanding mission to elevate the people and stories making a meaningful difference.

The 2026 class reflects the breadth and impact of Latino leadership today, bringing together accomplished professionals across media, business, healthcare, education, the arts, public service and community advocacy.

“Latino leadership is shaping every facet of American culture from business and media to healthcare, the arts and communities. The EL Awards give us an opportunity to recognize the individuals behind that impact and celebrate not only what they have achieved, but the doors they are opening for the next generation. At My Code, we are proud to stand alongside El Diario in honoring these extraordinary leaders and ensuring their stories and contributions are seen, celebrated and amplified.”- Dave LiCalzi, Chief Operating Officer 

2026 EL Awards Honorees

• Andres Acebo, Chancellor, Kean Jersey City, Kean University
• Nilko Andreas, Musician-Classical Guitarist / Executive and Artistic Director, Azio Foundation
• Joseph Ayala, Detective Second Grade, NYPD Hispanic Society
• Ricardo Cardona, Executive Chef/Consultant, Cardona Hospitality Group
• Eduardo Castell, Managing Partner, MirRam Group
• Alejandro Condis, News Anchor and Reporter, Univision
• J. Antonio Fernandez, CEO, Catholic Charities of New York
• Larry Gallegos, Director of Public Affairs, CLEAR
• Julio Garcia Aguilar, Chief Attending Surgeon, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
• Duarte Geraldino, Journalist, PIX 11 News
• Brandon Nieves, Founder and Principle, The Hispanic Collective
• Arnulfo “AJ” Ramos, Head of Artist and Label Partnerships, Latin Music & Culture, Google/Youtube
• Bernardo Ramos, Managing Director, Wells Fargo
• Raul Russi, President, Acacia Network Inc.
• Manuel Saez, PhD, Senior Vice President, Office of Facilities Development, New York City Health & Hospitals
• Mitchell Sanchez, Associate Director Field Engineering and Operations, Verizon
• Gregory (Goyo) Schipilliti Cid, Director of International and Emerging Partnerships, DailyPay
• Joe Torres, Anchor/Reporter and Host of Tiempo, WABC-TV
• Miguel Trelles, Executive Artistic Director, Teatro LATEA
• Steuben Vega, Director of Workforce Development, The Osborne Association

About El Diario, a My Code Company

Founded in 1913, El Diario is the longest-publishing Spanish-language daily newspaper in the United States. It began as La Prensa, a small publication in Lower Manhattan, and in 1963 merged with El Diario de Nueva York to form El Diario/La Prensa, growing into one of the nation’s most influential Latino media outlets. Today El Diario is a multimedia operation spanning print, digital and other platforms.

El Diario is owned by My Code, a culture-first media company and marketing agency that connects brands with growth audiences, the multicultural and multigenerational consumers who represent the fastest-growing segments of the U.S. market. Through owned media properties including El Diario, La Opinión, Remezcla Media Group and HipLATINA, plus a strategic publisher network spanning CTV, digital, social, audio and experiential channels, My Code delivers both scale and cultural relevance. Its integrated marketing services and proprietary Intelligence Center give brands the insight and creative capability to authentically engage these audiences and drive measurable business growth. Learn more at mycodemedia.com.

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