Latinos Making a Difference: Advisory Board
Blogs
Latinos Making a Difference: Special Award Winners
Cross-Border Leader: Frank Carrillo
President & CEO / SIMNSA Health Plan
Carrillo has dedicated much of his career to helping Latino workers and families get cross-border healthcare. In 1998, he was primarily responsible for the development and passage of legislation that amended California law and created opportunities for true cross-border health plans in this state. Today his award-winning company, SIMNSA, stands a leader in cross border healthcare coverage. SIMNSA is the only cross-border health plan that works in collaboration with the San Diego County Health Department. His generous Fundación Simnsa, A.C., a Mexican nonprofit organization, donates funds to needy organizations, special education services, and underprivileged youth and families. Carillo’s dedicated group also supports Maria Inmaculada, an orphanage for abandoned and abused children.
Latinos Making a Difference: Special Award Winners
Entrepreneur of the Year: Enrique Schon
Founder & Chairman / Vibra Bank
As Founder and Chairman of Vibra Bank in Chula Vista, Schon is changing the landscape of banking and business in both San Diego and Tijuana through his entrepreneurial efforts and leadership. Schon has been applying an innovative banking framework to empower entrepreneurs who may have trouble receiving services from larger banks, thus enabling many Latinos to bridge the gap of business between Mexico and the U.S. Vibra Bank was recently recognized for its visionary contributions by receiving the Pioneer Award from the South County Economic Development Council. Schon personifies commitment to community, with nearly all of his businesses bringing value to local populations and organizations. Schon has positively influenced Latinos by understanding their unique challenges and building a bank to provide solutions.
Latinos Making a Difference: Special Award Winners
Inspirational Leader: Celina Caprio
Contracts Administrator, Legal Department / Senomyx, Inc.
Program Director of the Hermanitas Program, MANA de San Diego
Beyond her successful career at the biotech company, Senonyx, Inc., Capio has diligently served as part of the Hermanitas Program at MANA de San Diego for the past eight years. As the Hermanitas Program Director for four years, she has shaped this flagship youth mentoring program that has a 100 percent success rate and empowers young Latinas through education, leadership development, community service, and advocacy. This one-of-a-kind program is the largest Latina youth mentoring program in the nation, where young girls are guided to make positive educated choices by exposing them to different resources for education and life skills. Her astute leadership has also helped maintain a steady number of dedicated participants. Capio has received numerous community awards for her exceptional work such and continues to work as a 100 percent volunteer, steering this tremendous program and mentoring young women to achieve success.
