Courier Eco Latino Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month With ‘Who’s Who of the Hispanic Community’

As the nation celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month, the Courier Eco Latino Newspaper is proud to present its inaugural “Who’s Who of the Hispanic Community,” a special recognition of the men and women whose leadership, service, achievements and unwavering commitment to excellence are helping shape communities across Columbus, Fort Moore, Phenix City and the surrounding Chattahoochee Valley.

Through this special series, the Courier Eco Latino reaffirms its commitment to informing, inspiring and empowering our diverse communities while ensuring that the accomplishments and voices of Hispanic and Latino residents receive the recognition they deserve.

Join us as we celebrate the people, honor their contributions and share the stories behind the faces of our community's Hispanic leaders and trailblazers.

Raquel M. Aponte: Building Bridges Across Cultures Through Education, Leadership and Global Engagement

Columbus State University educator empowers Latino students, promotes cultural understanding and prepares the next generation of global leaders.

For Raquel M. Aponte, education is more than the pursuit of academic achievement. It is an opportunity to connect cultures, expand perspectives and empower students to become leaders in an increasingly interconnected world.

As education abroad coordinator for the Center for Global Engagement at Columbus State University, Aponte has dedicated her work to promoting international education, cultural awareness and meaningful engagement among students from diverse backgrounds.

Her commitment to education and cultural understanding has made her an important advocate for Latino and international students, helping them find their voices, embrace their heritage and recognize their potential to make a difference both locally and globally.

In addition to her responsibilities with the Center for Global Engagement, Aponte serves as an adjunct instructor of international relations and advises several student organizations, including the Columbus State University Model United Nations Competition Team, the International Club and CHISPA.

Her academic interests encompass international relations theory, comparative politics, international studies, international political economy, security studies, Latin American studies, and international law and organizations.

Through these disciplines, she encourages students to look beyond geographical boundaries and develop a deeper understanding of the political, economic and cultural forces shaping the world.

At the heart of Aponte's work is a commitment to creating opportunities for Latino students, international students and those interested in international affairs.

She works to foster an environment where cultural differences are celebrated, diverse perspectives are respected and students are encouraged to become active participants in a global society.

One of her most innovative initiatives involves developing an all-Spanish-speaking committee for Columbus State University's high school Model United Nations conference.

The initiative is designed to encourage students to use Spanish while examining political, economic and social issues affecting Latin America and the Caribbean.

By creating a forum where students can debate international challenges in Spanish, Aponte hopes to strengthen language proficiency while encouraging a greater appreciation for the complexities of global affairs.

The initiative also seeks to bridge cultural and political perspectives between the United States and Latin American nations, allowing students to better understand the experiences and challenges facing communities throughout the Western Hemisphere.

For Aponte, the value of the initiative extends well beyond language instruction.

Her vision is to help students recognize that language is not simply an academic skill but a powerful instrument for building relationships, encouraging dialogue and creating opportunities for international cooperation.

Her leadership also extends beyond the classroom.

As an adviser to the International Club and CHISPA, Aponte helps students establish meaningful connections with the broader Columbus community through cultural celebrations, educational programs and community engagement.

Among those opportunities are the annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration and the Tri-City Latino Parade, events that showcase the traditions, contributions and cultural richness of the region's growing Hispanic population.

Through participation in these activities, students gain valuable leadership experience while developing a stronger sense of community responsibility and cultural pride.

Aponte is also working with Latina students interested in establishing a chapter of Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority Inc. at Columbus State University.

The effort represents another opportunity to strengthen leadership, sisterhood, cultural identity and student involvement on campus.

For many students, particularly those navigating the challenges of higher education while maintaining connections to their cultural heritage, organizations such as these can provide a sense of belonging, mentorship and empowerment.

Aponte's work reflects a broader understanding of what it means to educate and prepare young people for leadership in today's world.

Her efforts demonstrate that global engagement does not always begin with traveling abroad. Sometimes, it begins in a classroom, at a cultural celebration or through a conversation between people whose backgrounds and experiences are different.

By bringing students together across languages and cultures, she is helping cultivate a generation that understands the importance of respect, collaboration and shared humanity.

As the Courier Eco Latino Newspaper celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month and recognizes its Who's Who of the Hispanic Community, Raquel M. Aponte stands among those whose contributions are helping strengthen the educational and cultural fabric of Columbus and the surrounding Chattahoochee Valley.

Her story is one of education, empowerment and the belief that understanding another culture can open doors that might otherwise remain closed.

Through her leadership at Columbus State University, Aponte is doing more than preparing students to understand the world. She is helping prepare them to change it.

José R. Quiñones: Leading With Purpose, Serving With Passion and Empowering Others

From military service and leadership education to mentoring entrepreneurs and strengthening the Hispanic community, Quiñones has dedicated his career to helping others discover their potential and create meaningful change.

 For José R. Quiñones, leadership is not defined by a title, position or the number of people someone supervises. It is measured by the lives influenced, the opportunities created and the ability to inspire others to recognize their own potential.

A military veteran, author, leadership educator and community advocate, Quiñones has spent more than two decades developing leaders, mentoring individuals and demonstrating that meaningful leadership begins with service.

Today, as founder and chief visionary officer of Impulse Leadership in Columbus, Quiñones draws on his extensive military and coaching experience to help individuals, organizations and aspiring entrepreneurs develop the confidence, knowledge and skills necessary to lead with purpose.

His approach combines professional development with a commitment to personal growth, emphasizing that effective leadership requires more than technical knowledge. It demands self-awareness, compassion, accountability and a willingness to invest in others.

That philosophy has guided Quiñones throughout a career that has taken him from military instruction and organizational leadership to entrepreneurship, community advocacy and authorship.

During his military career, Quiñones earned the Master Army Instructor Badge, a distinction recognizing instructional expertise and excellence in military education.

His academic accomplishments include a master's degree in organizational leadership and graduate certificates in life coaching, neuroleadership, and leadership and logistics.

He also holds professional certifications in MindSonar and return on investment methodology, credentials that support his work in understanding human behavior, measuring organizational outcomes and developing effective leadership strategies.

Through Impulse Leadership, Quiñones applies that experience to helping emerging leaders and established professionals identify their strengths, overcome challenges and develop strategies for personal and organizational success.

But his commitment to developing others extends well beyond the business community.

Throughout his career, Quiñones has demonstrated a dedication to serving individuals and families facing difficult circumstances.

His community involvement includes working with people experiencing homelessness through the House of Mercy and SafeHouse Ministries, as well as providing support to families served by Seneca Choices for Life.

These efforts reflect his belief that leadership carries a responsibility to recognize and respond to the needs of those who may lack access to resources, encouragement or opportunity.

As a member of the Hispanic community, Quiñones has also made cultural representation, economic empowerment and community involvement important parts of his mission.

Through his work with the Tri-City Latino Association and the Hispanic Outreach Committee, he has contributed to initiatives designed to strengthen Hispanic and Latino families, encourage community participation and expand access to leadership development.

He has provided complimentary workshops for Latino families and community leaders, sharing practical tools intended to help participants develop confidence, strengthen communication skills and pursue personal and professional goals.

His commitment to Hispanic empowerment extends beyond Columbus.

While in Hampton Roads, Virginia, Quiñones coordinated events for the Hampton Roads Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, helping support opportunities for professional networking, business development and community engagement.

He has also served as a bilingual SCORE mentor, providing guidance to entrepreneurs navigating the challenges of starting and growing businesses.

By offering mentorship in both English and Spanish, Quiñones has helped make business guidance more accessible to aspiring entrepreneurs who may face language or cultural barriers.

His commitment to mentoring young people is reflected in his service with Big Brothers Big Sisters, where he helped guide and encourage a young person through a one-on-one mentoring relationship.

For Quiñones, these experiences reinforce a central principle: Leadership becomes most meaningful when knowledge and experience are used to help someone else move forward.

That philosophy is also the foundation of his work as an author.

In his book, Stepping Into Leadership: Leading With Meaning, Quiñones explores the importance of intentional leadership and the responsibility individuals have to develop their abilities while making a positive difference in the lives of others.

The book reflects his experience as a military instructor, leadership educator and mentor, encouraging readers to approach leadership as a continuing journey of learning, self-discovery and service.

His contributions have earned recognition from professional and community organizations.

Quiñones received Service Member of the Year honors from the Hampton Roads Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Virginia Chamber of Commerce. He also received recognition from Marquis Who's Who in 2025.

Closer to home, Quiñones was one of four local authors featured in the Courier Eco Latino's A View From a Pew author recognition series, which highlighted writers from the Columbus community and the stories behind their work.

His participation in the series provided another opportunity to share his perspective on leadership, personal development and the importance of using one's experiences to encourage others.

As the Courier Eco Latino celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month through its inaugural "Who's Who of the Hispanic Community" recognition series, Quiñones represents the contributions of Hispanic veterans, educators, entrepreneurs and community advocates whose work continues to strengthen the Chattahoochee Valley.

His journey demonstrates that leadership is not limited to the military, corporate offices or positions of authority. It can be found in the classroom, at a community shelter, in a mentoring relationship or in the encouragement offered to someone pursuing a dream.

Whether working with business owners, supporting families in need, mentoring young people or helping organizations develop stronger leaders, Quiñones continues to emphasize the importance of service and personal responsibility.

His story also reflects the growing influence of Hispanic professionals who are using their education, cultural experiences and professional accomplishments to create opportunities for future generations.

For Quiñones, the goal has never been simply to develop successful leaders. It has been to encourage individuals to recognize that their greatest accomplishments may come through helping others succeed.

And perhaps that is the most important lesson José R. Quiñones continues to share: True leadership is not about how many people follow you, but how many people are better prepared to lead because you took the time to help them grow.

Through his military service, professional accomplishments, writing and community involvement, Quiñones continues to demonstrate that leadership reaches its greatest potential when it becomes a pathway for empowering others and strengthening the communities they call home.

 Kathy Rosado: Building Bridges, Opening Doors and Strengthening the Hispanic Community

For more than 25 years, Kathy Rosado has dedicated her career to helping others overcome barriers, discover opportunities and build better futures.

A proud Puerto Rican, workforce development professional and community advocate, Rosado has become a familiar presence throughout the Chattahoochee Valley, using her leadership skills and passion for service to connect individuals and families with resources that can improve their lives.

As part of the Courier Eco Latino Newspaper’s inaugural “Who’s Who of the Hispanic Community” recognition during Hispanic Heritage Month, Rosado is being spotlighted for her contributions to workforce development, nonprofit leadership and efforts to strengthen the region’s growing Hispanic community.

Rosado currently serves as career center manager for Goodwill Industries of the Southern Rivers, where she leads a team dedicated to helping individuals overcome employment barriers and achieve their career goals.

Through career coaching, workforce training, employer partnerships, hiring events and community outreach, she works to create pathways to meaningful employment and economic independence.

Her professional career includes serving as executive director of Ponce Neighborhood Housing Services in Puerto Rico, holding project management and diversity, equity and inclusion leadership roles with NeighborWorks Columbus, and serving as director of program operations for the Health Equity Navigator Program at Mercer University School of Medicine.

Throughout those positions, Rosado has focused on developing partnerships, strengthening organizations and expanding access to services for underserved populations.

But her commitment to improving lives extends far beyond her professional responsibilities.

Since 2019, Rosado has moderated the Hispanic Outreach Committee, a collaborative network that brings together representatives from more than 70 nonprofit and community organizations each month to share resources, identify needs and strengthen support systems for Hispanic residents.

Through the committee, she has helped foster relationships among organizations working to address challenges involving employment, education, health care, public benefits and other essential services.

Rosado has also been an active member of the Tri-City Latino Association for more than five years, serving on its leadership team and assisting with marketing, social media, grant development, volunteer coordination, sponsorships and community events.

Among those activities is the annual Tri-City Latino Parade, which celebrates the cultural diversity, traditions and contributions of Hispanic and Latino residents throughout Columbus, Phenix City and the surrounding Chattahoochee Valley.

For Rosado, preserving and celebrating Hispanic heritage is deeply personal.

Growing up in Puerto Rico instilled in her a strong appreciation for her cultural roots and an understanding that Hispanic identity encompasses many countries, histories, languages and traditions.

She believes the Hispanic community's diversity is one of its greatest strengths and that cultural celebrations provide opportunities to educate others while fostering pride among younger generations.

Fluent in English and Spanish, Rosado has used her bilingual skills to help bridge communication gaps between families, employers, nonprofit organizations and service providers.

Her educational background includes a bachelor's degree in business administration with a concentration in management from Turabo University in Puerto Rico, where she graduated magna cum laude.

She also holds professional certifications in career coaching and business engagement, along with additional training in strategic planning, nonprofit leadership and organizational development.

While her professional accomplishments reflect decades of experience, Rosado's approach to leadership centers on a simple principle: Communities grow stronger when people work together and help one another succeed.

Whether connecting someone with employment opportunities, assisting families seeking essential services or helping organize events that celebrate Hispanic heritage, Rosado continues to demonstrate how collaboration can create meaningful change.

Her work also highlights the important contributions Hispanic leaders make to the economic, cultural and social development of the Chattahoochee Valley.

For Rosado, community service is more than attending meetings, organizing programs or holding leadership positions. It is about building relationships, opening doors and ensuring that individuals and families feel seen, valued and supported.

As the Courier Eco Latino celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month, Kathy Rosado's story serves as a reminder that true leadership is not measured solely by personal accomplishments, but by the lives improved, opportunities created and communities strengthened along the way.

Through her continued commitment to service, collaboration and cultural pride, Rosado is helping build bridges between communities while opening doors of opportunity for generations to come.

 Oscar Danilo Estrada Lechado: From Immigrant Beginnings to Business Success and Inspiring the Next Generation

Oscar Danilo Estrada Lechado knows firsthand that the road to success is not always easy. His journey began in Nicaragua, continued through Mexico and eventually brought him to the United States as an undocumented teenager who spoke little English.

Today, the construction business owner, soccer coach and community advocate is using the lessons learned along that journey to help young people throughout the Chattahoochee Valley discover opportunities that could change their lives.

For Estrada Lechado, success is no longer measured simply by what he has accomplished professionally, but by the difference he can make in the lives of the next generation.

As part of the Courier Eco Latino Newspaper's inaugural “Who's Who of the Hispanic Community” recognition during Hispanic Heritage Month, Estrada Lechado is being spotlighted for his entrepreneurial accomplishments, commitment to youth development and contributions to the region's Hispanic community.

Born March 9, 1974, in Nicaragua, Estrada Lechado was just 4 years old when his family relocated to Guadalajara, Mexico. He spent much of his childhood there before his family made another life-changing move when he was 14.

This time, their destination was Miami, Florida.

Arriving in the United States without legal immigration status, Estrada Lechado faced the challenges of learning a new language, adjusting to an unfamiliar culture and navigating a different educational system.

He attended Miami-Dade County public schools, learned English and graduated from high school, laying the foundation for a career that would eventually take him into construction management, military contracting and entrepreneurship.

His professional journey included working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on hurricane relief programs and construction projects at military installations.

In December 2000, he relocated to Columbus, where he began working at Fort Benning, now known as Fort Moore. He remained there for five years before returning to South Florida to work for Florida's Choice Contracting.

During that period, he gained valuable experience in high-rise building restoration, including concrete restoration and other specialized construction work.

Estrada Lechado eventually returned to Georgia, continuing his work in disaster recovery and military construction.

During 2008 and 2009, he participated in hurricane relief efforts, including recovery operations in Texas following Hurricane Ike.

He later worked for Shaw Infrastructure as a contractor at Fort Benning, serving as a military base inspector for the Directorate of Public Works.

He continued in that position until 2019, when he decided to pursue another chapter in his professional life.

Drawing on years of experience in construction, restoration and inspection, Estrada Lechado established Infinity Contracting Inc., becoming a business owner and putting the knowledge he had accumulated throughout his career to work for himself.

While entrepreneurship marked an important milestone, Estrada Lechado found another calling away from construction sites and military installations.

That calling was working with young people through soccer.

Recognizing the positive influence sports can have on young lives, he became involved with youth soccer organizations in Georgia and entered the state's soccer coaching system.

He currently serves as head coach of the U16 Wildcats 11-versus-11 soccer team with CYSC, helping young athletes develop their skills while emphasizing discipline, teamwork, confidence and good sportsmanship.

His involvement extends into the Muscogee County School District, where he serves as an adviser to soccer coaches and supports the development of student-athletes.

His work has included assisting the soccer program at George Washington Carver High School and helping strengthen the program at Jordan Vocational High School.

For Estrada Lechado, coaching is about much more than winning games.

He wants young people to understand that the discipline they develop on the soccer field can help prepare them for success in the classroom, workplace and life.

One of his primary goals is to increase opportunities for talented local soccer players to receive recognition from college recruiters and potentially earn athletic scholarships.

He hopes to attract college coaches to the area to evaluate student-athletes whose abilities might otherwise go unnoticed.

He believes young people who demonstrate dedication and talent deserve opportunities to continue their education and pursue their athletic dreams.

His commitment to youth development also extends to the Hispanic community.

As a member of the Tri-City Latino Association, Estrada Lechado has helped organize and support the organization's soccer tournament, an initiative now entering its fourth year.

The tournament has become an opportunity to bring young athletes, families and community members together through a shared love of soccer while promoting cultural connections and community involvement.

His participation reflects his belief that sports can serve as a bridge between cultures, generations and communities.

For Estrada Lechado, the opportunity to mentor young people carries particular significance because he remembers the challenges he faced as a teenager arriving in a country where he did not speak the language or understand the system.

Those experiences continue to shape his message to young people who may be struggling with their circumstances or questioning their potential.

“From Nicaragua to ten years in Mexico, and then to the United States, my journey taught me that you do not need to begin with every advantage to build a meaningful life,” Estrada Lechado said in his autobiography.

“I arrived in this country without knowing English, learned the language, found my way through a new system, and worked to become someone who could help others.”

His advice to the next generation reflects the determination that helped him navigate his own journey.

“Believe in your potential, keep learning, and let your challenges strengthen your determination,” he said. “Your beginning does not define how far you can go — and as you grow, help someone else move forward.”

As the Courier Eco Latino celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month, Estrada Lechado's story highlights the contributions of immigrants who have helped strengthen the economic, cultural and social fabric of Columbus and the surrounding Chattahoochee Valley.

His journey from Nicaragua to Mexico and ultimately to the United States illustrates the determination required to overcome language barriers, adapt to unfamiliar surroundings and create opportunities through education and hard work.

But perhaps his most meaningful contribution is taking place today on soccer fields throughout Columbus, where he is investing his time and experience in young people who are beginning journeys of their own.

For Oscar Danilo Estrada Lechado, the American dream is not simply about building a successful business or achieving personal goals. It is about using the opportunities he has earned to help others discover what is possible.

And through his continued commitment to coaching, mentorship and community service, he is working to ensure that the next generation understands one powerful lesson: Where you begin in life does not have to determine where you finish.