The Power of Purpose-Driven Leadership
At Palabra Media, we define ‘The Power of the Word’ as more than marketing; it is our commitment to elevating Latino leadership through authentic narratives and shared belonging. This year, that story reached a new milestone. We are incredibly proud to announce that our co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer, Joshua Molina, has been honored as the Entrepreneur of the Year at the ALPFA Awards 2025.
What is ALPFA?
Founded in 1972, ALPFA (Association of Latino Professionals For America) is the longest-standing Latino professional association in the U.S. With a network exceeding 100,000 members, they focus on empowering Latino leaders through mentorship and professional development. The annual awards celebrate those who embody the spirit of progress and community impact.
Joshua Molina: Entrepreneur of the Year
Joshua co-founded Palabra Media just over 18 months ago with a clear mission: helping Latino-owned businesses and organizations connect with the Latino community in authentic, meaningful ways.
Under his leadership, Palabra Media has transitioned from a vision to a high-impact agency. Joshua’s approach goes beyond business metrics; he is a dedicated advocate for cause-based campaigns and grassroots civic engagement. Upon receiving the award, Joshua emphasized that this success belongs to our clients, partners, and the community. His message to future leaders is simple: success requires sacrifice, persistence, and purpose-driven leadership.
Visual Storytelling: Crafting The Gala Experience
Beyond the awards, our production team was responsible for the high-impact video content featured throughout the ALPFA 2025 Gala. From the stirring nominee profiles to the event highlights, our goal was to ensure the power of the image.
Honoring the 2025 Award Winners
The evening was a powerful reminder of the talent within our community. We want to congratulate the other distinguished winners:
- Executive of the Year – Tomás León: As President of the Equality Health Foundation, Tomás was recognized for his 8+ years of work advancing health equity and addressing systemic barriers for underserved communities.
- Lifetime Achievement – Emilio Gaynor: A pillar of the ALPFA Phoenix Corporate Advisory Board, Emilio was honored for a lifetime of service, including his instrumental role in the “Líderes Under 40” program.
- Company of the Year – Valle del Sol: Led by Mike Renaud, this organization was celebrated for its decades of work in community health and the success of the Hispanic Leadership Institute.
- Board Member of the Year – Jamie Castaneda: Recognized for her leadership at Vaco by Highspring and her dedication to making ALPFA a welcoming space for new members.
- Student of the Year – Ashley Escalante: An inspiring leader at ASU, recognized for her role as Executive Vice President of the student chapter and her commitment to the next generation of Latino professionals.
Looking Ahead
For Palabra Media, this award is fuel for our mission. We remain committed to Data-Driven Strategies that deliver measurable results for our clients while staying rooted in transparency and integrity.
True impact comes from dedication and hard work. We are just getting started!