About the Parade Padrinos Initiative
The Parade Padrino initiative is a symbol of honor and recognition within the Columbus Latino Heritage Month celebration. Each year, a distinguished individual who has made significant contributions to the community is chosen as the “Padrino” or “Godfather” and “Madrina” or “Godmother” the Hispanic Heritage Parade. This honorary title acknowledges their dedication, leadership, and commitment to enriching the cultural tapestry of Central Ohio. The Parade Padrino stands as a beacon of inspiration, embodying the values of unity, diversity, and the vibrant spirit of the Latino community in Columbus. Their role is not only to lead the parade but also to inspire others to embrace and celebrate the heritage and traditions that make our community unique and rich in culture.
Meet the Padrinos
Lilly Cavanaugh
Mrs. Cavanaugh has an extensive career in the private and public sector. Lilly serves as Deputy Chief for Business Solutions & Outreach at the Minority Business Development Division of the Ohio Department of Development. In this role, she works to increase the number of certified minority, women-owned, veteran friendly and diverse business enterprises. Most recently, she served as Executive Director for the Ohio Commission on Hispanic/Latino Affairs, State of Ohio.
Mrs. Cavanaugh has been directly engaged with Latino and ethnic minority communities in Ohio for over 25 years. Through her tenure, she has played a key role building collaboration and partnerships among government entities, community-based organizations, and the private sector to improve the quality of life and opportunities for Hispanic/Latinos and other ethnic minorities. Her robust background in leadership development is sought to assist in tailoring initiatives geared to guiding individuals to unlock their leadership potential and increase their respective spheres of influence.
Lilly has served at the national level at the board of the National Association of Latino Elected Officials, the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute, and the National Hispanic & Latino Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Board. Currently she serves on the Mount Carmel Foundation Board, Leadership Ohio Board of Trustees, and the City of Columbus Women’s Commission. She has been honored with a diverse range of awards and accolades, including the Latino Leadership Excellence Award, Women of the Year WELD Calendar, WELD Riveter Award, Most Influential Woman of Color, The Cesar Chavez Community Award, and Professional Woman of the Year Award.
Lilly is a Certified Public Manager, and has an associate’s degree in Business from Sinclair Community College, a bachelor’s degree in Management from the University of Phoenix, and a master’s degree in Business Administration from Capella University. She is originally from Costa Rica and has lived and worked in Latin America, Africa, Southeast Asia, Europe, and the United States.
Josue Vicente
Josue Vicente, native of Mexico, is the Executive Director of the Ohio Hispanic Coalition. Josue joined the Ohio Hispanic Coalition in 2001 and has worked in every program until becoming the Executive Director in 2007. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Physics and Mathematics.
He previously served as a Partnership Specialist for the U.S. Census Bureau, an elected Council Member for the Institute for Mexicans Abroad, a trainer for the Franklin County Emergency Response Team, and a founding member of the League of United Latin American Citizens – Central Ohio Chapter. Josue has also served as a board member for Columbus Neighborhood Health Centers, Create Columbus Commission, and the Central Ohio Breathing Association.
He is currently a member of the Supreme Court of Ohio’s Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection. Josue continues to follow his passion for improving the quality of life of all Latinos through advocacy, education, training, and access to quality services.
Elizabeth Martinez
Elizabeth Martinez serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Big Brothers Big Sisters
of Central Ohio (BBBSCO), the largest agency within the Big Brothers Big Sisters network in Ohio. In this capacity, she leads the organization’s efforts to empower youth through personalized
mentoring relationships and impactful educational initiatives, including hands-on environmental education programming at Camp Oty’Okwa. Under her leadership, BBBSCO continues to drive
social impact, equipping the next generation with the skills and confidence needed to thrive.
A seasoned leader with over 20 years of experience in leadership, Elizabeth has consistently
demonstrated a robust ability to spearhead organizational success. Her expertise spans strategic planning, fundraising, business development, and operational management, all with a keen focus on social impact and long-term sustainability.
Elizabeth is recognized for her transformational leadership style, blending deep expertise in
organizational development, staff professional growth, and educational initiatives to foster
meaningful change. Her extensive career has encompassed diverse sectors, including youth
development, education, and career development, where she has become a passionate advocate
for preparing the next generation of leaders to succeed in an ever-changing world.
As a Certified Executive Coach, Elizabeth provides high-level strategic counsel to senior
executives, guiding them through challenges and helping them enhance their leadership capacity.
She has earned the trust of several boards and organizations, offering invaluable insights into
governance, policy-making, and stakeholder engagement.
Elizabeth’s leadership has been widely acknowledged, with numerous accolades recognizing her
exceptional impact. Among them, she was named one of the most admired executives in Central
Ohio by Columbus Business First’s C-Suite Awards and was honored as CEO of the Year by
Columbus CEO magazine. Additionally, Elizabeth was recognized as one of the top national Latino
leaders by the National Diversity Council and was awarded Woman of the Year by the Ohio
Diversity Council.
Elizabeth holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and is bilingual, fluent in both English and
Spanish. A committed community leader, she actively contributes her expertise by serving on the
boards of the Franklin County Human Services Chamber, Franklin County Children Services, and
United Way of Central Ohio.
