Leader Spotlight: Q & A with Lionel Sosa

Lionel is the founder of Sosa, Bromley, Aguilar & Associates, now Bromley Communications, the largest Hispanic advertising agency in the U.S. He has been Hispanic Media Consultant in seven Republican presidential campaigns beginning in 1980 and is a recognized expert in Hispanic consumer and voter behavior. Lionel was named one of the 25 most influential Hispanics in America‚ by Time Magazine in 2005 and is a member of the Texas Business Hall of Fame. He is the author of Think and Grow Rich, a Latino Choice published in 2006 by Random House, and The Americano Dream: How Latinos Can Achieve Success in Business and in Life, published in 1998 by Dutton. Lionel has served on the Board of Regents of The Texas A&M University System, the Board of Trustees for the University of the Incarnate Word, the Boards of Sesame Workshop, creators of Sesame Street, ACT (American College Testing) and the Public Broadcasting System. He chaired both the United Way of San Antonio and the San Antonio Symphony.

1. What books and magazines are you currently reading?
Books: The Rational Optimist by Matt Ridley to reassure me that everything will be OK.
Magazines: The Week so I can get a feel of how the media reported last week’s news.

2. What is the most impactful book you’ve read as an adult?
Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, it taught me that anything is possible as long as you believe its possible.

3. Who is your favorite author?
David McCullough, he makes history fun.

4. What was your favorite book as a child?
Archie Comics

5. What did you want to be when you grew up?
Pablo Picasso

6. Who has had the greatest impact on your life and why?
My wife Kathy because she opened my eyes to the goodness in others.

7. Who are your heroes of fiction?
Charlie Brown and Lucy.

8. What do you think is the greatest challenge facing students today?
Not being challenged.

9. What do you think is the greatest challenge facing teachers today?
Not being challenged.