Antonio Tijerino

Board Member

President & CEO, Hispanic Heritage Foundation

Antonio Tijerino is president and CEO of the Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF), a national nonprofit focused on education, workforce, societal impact and leadership, which he describes as a “malleable mission.” Under Tijerino, HHF has been honored by The White House, US Congress, Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, media outlets, and even the Government of Mexico. Tijerino is also executive producer of the Hispanic Heritage Awards at the Kennedy Center, which are broadcast on PBS. Prior, he was an executive at Fannie Mae Foundation, Nike, Burson Marsteller, and Cohn & Wolfe.

Tijerino was honored with the “Ohtli Award” by the government of Mexico, which is the highest honor outside of Mexico; “Lifetime Achievement Award” by National PTA; Hispanics in Philanthropy “Giver Award;” “Vision Award” by Silicon Valley Latino Leadership; MALDEF “Human Rights Award;” Telemundo’s “Community Service Award;” “Civilian Impact Award” by US Army; “Brillante Award” by NSHMBA; “Estrella Award” by SHPE; “Digital Hero Award” by MMTC; “Cesar Chavez Award” by NHLI; multiple BRAVO Awards including “Pioneer Award,” and in the Greater Washington Hispanic Business Hall of Fame; among others.

Tijerino has served and serves on various boards and advisory committees inlcuding Harvard’s Latino Leadership Initiative at the Kennedy School; University System of Maryland Foundation; HHTP (Hispanic Technology & Telecommunications Partnership); Independent Sector; National Girls Collaborative; America’s Promise Alliance; Games for Change; Ayuda; CSforAll; KID Museum; Notre Dame’s Exoneration Justice Clinic; Nielsen’s Latino Advisory Counsel; Coca-Cola’s Equity and Accountability Council; Independent Sector; WhiteBoard Advisors; and FCC’s Communications Equity and Diversity Council (CEDC); among others.

As a proud immigrant from Nicaragua, Tijerino was recognized by FWD.US for his work with migrant families on the border through the Humanitarian Respite Center in McAllen, TX, and on the Mexico side. He also co-founded the American Project; #WeDreamAmerica campaign; #Masks4Farmworkers, which provided more than 2 million masks for farmworkers during the pandemic; DREAM LEAD for DACA recipients; and supported Imagination Stage’s Theatre For Change featuring the Oyeme! Project portraying the plight migrants; among other efforts.

Tijerino co-produced the first Latinx-themed game with Minecraft and featured as a Minecraft character; produced an anti-hate tool kit with Nickelodeon; co-founded the Code as a Second Language (CSL) initiative, which has introduced 100,000 youth to coding; founded the LOFT (Latinos On Fast Track) Network which consists of 300,000 vetted 15-40-year-olds; co-founded the LOFT Institute; co-found the Hispanic Leaders Alliance (HLA) with the NFL; and an educator’s “Maker Academy” with the KID Museum to attract minority students into STEM.

As host of the Fritanga Podcast, Tijerino presents Latino culture, unity, perspective, information, and inspiration with influential guests. He is designated as an “Influencer” on LinkedIn and was selected as “Top Voices on Equity” on the platform. His blogs and media presence have made him a national voice on various issues.

Tijerino earned a BS degree from the University of Maryland’s school of journalism, and honored with a Doctorate of Humane Letters from The Chicago School. He is a Salinas Fellow at the Aspen Institute and lives in Washington, DC, with his family.