Visonary & Leadership
Behind the Dominican American Distinguished Awards stands a team of powerhouses. Trailblazers in business, culture, and public service who lend their credibility, expertise, and influence to this historic celebration. Guided by vision and united by purpose, they ensure that every detail of the Awards reflects excellence and that each honoree is recognized with the dignity and prestige they deserve.
Maria M. Khury
Visionary Founder & Strategic Advisor
CEO of Khury/ALTA Travel and Chief Executive Counsel of the Dominican American Chamber of Commerce, is the visionary Founder of the DADA Awards. A distinguished Dominican American entrepreneur and community leader, she has built platforms that elevate Dominican excellence, from revitalizing the Dominican Day Parade to driving global business initiatives. As Co-Founder and former Chair of the Parade, she helped reconstitute the organization and grew its scholarship program to over $1.2 million for Dominican students. She has also served in leadership roles across public service and corporate boards, including Bronx Community Board 8, LATINAPAC, and the Schervier/Bon Secours Nursing System, while advising New York City mayors and civic institutions. Honored with proclamations and awards from governors, mayors, and legislators, she has been recognized as Business Woman of the Year by the New York State Federation of Hispanic Chambers of Commerce and celebrated nationally and internationally for her impact. Her foresight and leadership anchor the Awards in purpose, prestige, and legacy, ensuring they stand as a lasting tribute to Dominican achievement.
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Jenny Martinez
Program Architect & Director
Principal of JMM Consultants, serves as the Program Architect of the DADA Awards. An accomplished entrepreneur and strategist, she brings a unique blend of expertise in corporate finance, hospitality, and financial protection, ensuring every element of the Awards is executed with precision and vision. As a licensed insurance broker and financial literacy coach, she has built programs that empower working families while advising organizations on financial clarity and long-term planning. She has also consulted across industries, from travel to community initiatives, giving her a multidisciplinary perspective that strengthens the event’s brand identity and impact. Born in the Dominican Republic and raised in both countries, she embodies the perfect blend of Dominican American experience, bringing cultural pride to her leadership. Her creativity, discipline, and commitment ensure the Founder’s vision is realized with elegance.
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Alexis J. Colón, Esq
Chair of the Host & Selection Committee
Colón & Partners PLLC
Managing Partner
A Dominican attorney and former diplomat with expertise in trade, international law, and corporate affairs. Born in Santo Domingo, he graduated summa cum laude in Business Administration from PUCMM and Magna Cum Laude in Law from Universidad del Caribe, later earning an LL.M. in International Business and Economic Law from Georgetown University. He has represented the Dominican Republic in negotiations at the WTO, WIPO, and other global institutions, receiving advanced training in Geneva, Vienna, Berlin, and Beijing. Recognized by the Dominican Bar Association, the New York State Assembly, and the Dominican American Chamber of Commerce, his achievements highlight a career of distinction on both sides of the Atlantic. His guidance anchors the Committee’s work and reinforces the Awards’ reputation as a platform of true excellence
Hugo Almeida
Abitronix, LLC, Chief Executive Officer
Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Abitronix, LLC, a leading technology and communications solutions company. With more than three decades of experience in ICT and business development, he began his career at Panasonic Electric Works (Matsushita) before founding Almeida Barragán International Co., and later building Abitronix into a nationally recognized enterprise. A proud graduate of Kean University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology, he has remained closely connected to education and mentorship, guiding young professionals and supporting initiatives that expand opportunity for Dominican-Americans in business and technology. Hugo is also a media personality and mentor, hosting programs that spotlight entrepreneurship, leadership, and cultural pride. Recognized for his vision, civic advocacy, and entrepreneurial achievements, he embodies the spirit of Dominican excellence.
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Paul Tallaj, MD
SOMOS Innovation, Chief Medical Officer
Founder and Chairman of SOMOS Community Care, a physician-led health network serving over one million Medicaid and Medicare patients across New York City. Originally trained as a physician in the Dominican Republic, he dedicated his early career to medicine and public service before becoming a leading advocate for culturally competent care in immigrant communities. Under his leadership, SOMOS has become a national model for community-based healthcare, bridging gaps in access while delivering innovative preventative and primary care. He played a pivotal role in New York’s pandemic response, mobilizing testing and vaccination centers in underserved neighborhoods and ensuring outreach in multiple languages. Recognized by civic institutions, health agencies, and immigrant advocacy groups, he is celebrated for blending clinical expertise with advocacy for equity
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April Horton
Regional Director
Government and External Affairs
Regional Director of Government and External Affairs, where she has built a distinguished 27-year career advancing public policy, corporate responsibility, and digital equity initiatives. Born and raised in the Bronx, she has overseen legislative advocacy, philanthropic partnerships, and grant-making strategies that align business influence with community impact. She has served on numerous boards, including the Bronx Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the Bronx Children’s Museum, and the Business Council of Westchester, and is active in civic leadership across New York. Recognized among the “25 Most Influential Women in the Bronx” and named to the Bronx Power 100, she has also received honors such as the Business Council of Westchester’s 40 Under 40 award. A passionate advocate for education, sustainability, and women’s empowerment, she believes in the power of public-private partnerships to build thriving communities
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Hon. Camelia M. Valdes, Esq.
SOMOS Innovation, Chief Medical Officer
Passaic County Prosecutor, first nominated in 2009 by Governor Jon S. Corzine and confirmed by the New Jersey Senate. She became the first Latina County Prosecutor in New Jersey, the first woman to serve in Passaic County, and the first lead prosecutor of Dominican ancestry in the United States. Today she is the most senior County Prosecutor in New Jersey, overseeing 185 staff, a $20 million budget, and 16 municipal police departments, along with the police departments of Montclair State, William Paterson, and the Passaic County Sheriff. A career prosecutor, she has served as a Deputy Attorney General, Assistant Governor’s Counsel, Municipal Prosecutor in Newark, and Assistant U.S. Attorney, handling cases from municipal offenses to complex federal crimes including human trafficking and financial fraud. Born in the Bronx to Dominican parents and raised in Newark, she graduated from Seton Hall University, Rutgers Law School-Newark, and earned an LL.M. in Trial Advocacy from Temple University. A proud mother of two daughters with autism, she also raises awareness for autism and is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Yonesy Núñez,DPS
Global Chief Cybersecurity Risk Officer
A nationally recognized cybersecurity executive and technology leader with decades of experience shaping global information security and risk strategy. With more than two decades of experience, he has held senior roles at institutions including Citi, Wells Fargo, PwC, Jack Henry & Associates, and DTCC, where he served as Managing Director and Chief Information Security Officer. A pioneer in his field, he has been honored for advancing digital resilience in some of the world’s most complex financial systems and has advised on frameworks adopted across industries. Beyond his corporate leadership, Yonesy is deeply committed to mentoring the next generation, championing diversity and inclusion initiatives that have opened doors for Latino professionals in technology and finance. Frequently invited as a keynote speaker and thought leader, he has published insights on cybersecurity, governance, and executive accountability
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Avelino Meza
Fuerza Migrante, Secretary General
Secretary General of Fuerza Migrante, a movement uniting over 200 organizations and leaders to empower Mexican communities in the U.S. and Mexico. Under his leadership, the organization secured historic political representation for migrants abroad and created cross-border initiatives in education, workforce development, and civic engagement. He has brokered agreements with governments, universities, and community institutions across both countries, amplifying the voice of migrants on an international scale. On the Committee, his influence reinforces the Awards’ mission of advocacy, inclusion, and transnational identity.
Hollis Public Affairs, Senior Partner
a Partner at Hollis Public Affairs and a trailblazing former New York City Council Member. Born in Queens to Dominican parents, she graduated from John Bowne High School and pursued studies at LaGuardia Community College and Metropolitan College of New York, grounding her career in both community and policy. As Chair of the Finance Committee, she became the first woman and Latina to lead the city’s budget process, advancing equity, transparency, and opportunity for immigrant families. Her early leadership as President of the Corona-East Elmhurst NAACP Youth Council and later as Chief of Staff to a City Council Member underscored her commitment to public service. Recognized among the most influential Dominican-American figures in government, she continues to shape policy and civic engagement through strategic advising and advocacy. Her voice on the Committee elevates the Awards’ mission to honor leaders whose impact is felt across institutions and generations.
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Rafael Bello
The Bello Show.
Five time Emmy Award–winning journalist and television and radio personality widely respected in Latino media. He holds degrees in communications and has built his career across major networks and platforms, bringing Dominican and Latino stories into mainstream conversations. His backgrounds in hosting, anchoring, and interviewing have earned him both popularity and credibility, making him a trusted voice in cultural, political, and entertainment reporting. He also mentors young journalists and participates in media workshops to amplify diverse voices and ethical storytelling. His role on the Committee ensures the Awards resonate far beyond the stage, carrying Dominican excellence into homes and communities worldwide.