JOSE ANTONIO TIJERINO is the president and CEO of the Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF), a national nonprofit focused on economic mobility, stronger communities and positive narratives through education, workforce, societal impact, entrepreneurship and leadership. Tijerino is also executive producer of the historic Hispanic Heritage Awards, which are broadcast on PBS.  

Tijerino and HHF have been honored by The White House, US Congress, Fortune 500 companies, media outlets, and other nonprofits.  He was honored with the Ohtli Award by the Mexican government and, recently, with the Isabela la Catolica recognition that’s been presented since 1815 by the King of Spain for his humanitarian and cultural work.  

He serves on numerous national and local nonprofit Board of Directors and Advisory Committees including Hispanics in Philanthropy, Independent Sector, Ayuda, KID Museum, Global Refuge, Latinos in Gaming Coalition, National Hispanic Research Institute, and the University System of Maryland, among others.  As a proud immigrant from Nicaragua, he has founded several efforts in support of immigrants/refugees/migrants/asylum seekers from home countries to the border to communities across the US.  

Tijerino founded the LOFT (Latinos On Fast Track) Network which provides access to resources, mentoring, programs, networking, training, forums, career pathways, and building social capital for 300,000 selected Latinos (ages 15-40) and co-founded the LOFT Leadership Institute.  HHF’s program have introduced coding, AI, cyber and other tech pathways and skills to more than 100,000 students and adult learners including with credentials and has helped create youth-based thinktanks, education and entrepreneurial labs and incubators, conducted research and increased Latino representation across industries.  Always trying to meet his community where they are, especially with youth, Tijerino co-produced the first Latino-themed Minecraft game, which was played by 30 million kids in 30 languages (and was featured as a Minecraft character).  He has also developed creative partnerships with the NFL, Nickelodeon, FIFA, PBS, NASA, and social media platforms, among others. 

Tijerino is recognized as an “influencer” on LinkedIn and is considered a voice for the Latino community through his writing, speaking, and social media/public service campaign to provide information, positive narratives, and action. He hosts the award-winning Fritanga Podcast.  He is a proud graduate of the University of Maryland and was honored with a Doctorate of Humane Letters from The Chicago School and lives in his hometown of Washington, DC.