AZHCC announces 2011 business awards winners
Woman of the Year: Rosemary Ybarra-Hernandez, founder and CEO of Aguila Youth Leadership Institute
A native Phoenician, Rosemary Ybarra-Hernandez is the CEO and Founder of AGUILA Youth Leadership Institute, a college prep/access program for Hispanic youth that has received national recognition for its innovation and success.
As a graduate of ASU School of Public Affairs she gained academic recognition as a Board of Regents Scholar and became the first and only Arizona recipient of the United States Social Security Frank Figueroa Scholarship for Community Leadership. She was one of 40 ASU graduate students to be awarded the Patricia Roberts Harris Federal Fellowship and her focus on researching on Latino Gangs led her to found AGUILA.
Ybarra-Hernandez describes herself as a “Life-Long learner”. She has an Associate’s Degree in Marketing, a Bachelor’s in Political Science/Pre-Law, a Master’s in Public Administration, and she has completed doctoral work in Juvenile Justice Policy. Inspired by Hector Elizondo in Tortilla Soup, she still has not ruled out a degree in culinary arts.
Ms. Ybarra-Hernandez has served on various boards and committees that include the American Heart Association, Parents Anonymous, West Valley Art Museum, Arizona Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Greater Phoenix Child Abuse Prevention Council, and other groups, all while volunteering her time to make positive changes in the world, particularly for youth.
Entrepreneur of the Year: J.P. Dahdah, Founder and CEO, Entrust Arizona
J.P. Dahdah graduated from The University of Arizona with dual degrees in Finance and Marketing. He began his professional career in 1997 as a financial advisor with American Express Financial Advisors, Inc., a Fortune 100 company.
In 1999, his entrepreneurial spirit drove him to establish his first business, Dahdah Global Wealth Management, LLC (DGWM) when he was just 23. DGWM was a comprehensive wealth management company. In June 2004, Mr. Dahdah founded his second company, Entrust Arizona, LLC, which provides self-directed retirement plan administration and custodial services to individuals and small business owners.
In less than seven years, Mr. Dahdah has grown Entrust Arizona’s client base to over 5,400 clients and more than $550M in retirement assets. Entrust Arizona has experienced average annualized revenue growth of 28% since inception.
In 2009, the Arizona Small Business Association (ASBA) presented Entrust Arizona with “Arizona’s Companies to Watch” Award, an honor celebrating second-stage entrepreneurs.
Internationally, Mr. Dahdah co-founded Capital Field Business Corporation (“CFB”) in 2005. CFB’s mission is to stimulate capital growth throughout Guatemala, his native country.
In 2007, Mr. Dahdah was selected as a “40 Hispanic Leaders Under 40” Award recipient. In 2008, he founded Advance Guatemala, a 501(C)(3) organization which provides aid to impoverished Guatemalans in the areas of Health Care, Education, Housing and Entrepreneurship. He also hosts a weekly radio show, “Wealth Wednesdays”, on Arizona’s premiere financial news station, KFNN 1510AM.
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