Quintanilla Distinguished Latin American Business Leadership Lecture & Award

This alumni award, originally known as the The Carlos R. Quintanilla Distinguished Latino Alumni Award, is awarded to Johnson alumni for their exceptional achievements and significant contributions to their professions, community, and society as a whole, for their demonstrated commitment to Johnson, and for promoting the advancement of Latinos in the business world. In 2025, the Quintanilla Distinguished Latin American Business Leadership Lecture & Award was elevated to a lecture series in honor of Carlos R. Quintanilla‘s dedicated alumni service and outstanding commitment to Johnson. This lecture series brings high profile Latin American business leaders to Ithaca to speak and engage with the Johnson and greater College of Business Community.

Award Recipients

2024: Gil Gidron ’78, MBA ’80
2022 Christine Monjer, MBA ’14
2020: Laura E. Sandoval, MBA ’05
2019: Eduardo Padilla Silva, MBA ’81
2018: William J. Restrepo ’80, MBA ‘85
2017: Adrienne Rose Martinez ’01, MBA ’08
2016: Roberto Canizares M.’71, MBA ’74
2015: Felipe Garza, MBA ‘80
2014: Joseph Alvarado, MBA ’76
2013: Luis Carlos Sarmiento, Jr. MBA ’85
2012: Hernan J. F. Saenz, MBA ’98, MIL ’98
2011: Carlos R. Quintanilla, MBA ’80
2010: Inaugural Award Recipient: Ken Gurrola, MBA ’95