Barry M. Portnoy Immigrant Entrepreneur Awards

Vince Rivers in a black suit with light blue tie next to Luiz Thomaz DaCosta in a blue suit with a blue tie next to Colette Phillips in a blue and black shirt with black pants next to Wendy Estrella in a black dress next to Doug Banks in a tan jacket with a plaid shirt and a bow tie next to Frank Bailey in a blue suit with a red tie. Behind are the United States flag and Massachusetts flag.

The Land of Opportunity and the Desire to Give Back

On October 16, 2025, The Barry M. Portnoy Immigrant Entrepreneur Awards honored the innovation, jobs and so much more that immigrant entrepreneurs contribute to Massachusetts and the country. After receiving their awards, the Colette Phillips, founder of Colette Phillips Communications, and Luiz Thomaz DaCosta, founder of Modular Concepts, were joined by 2023 winner Wendy Estrella, owner of Estrella Law Offices and Estrella Enterprises, for a panel discussion moderated by the Boston Business Journal Executive Editor Doug Banks. A consistent theme throughout the evening from all three was gratitude for all they could accomplish in this “land of opportunity” and the strong desire to give back.

This Year's Awardees:

Colette Phillips

Colette Phillips Communications

Luiz Thomaz DaCosta

Modular Concepts

Congratulations!

Congratulations, Colette and Luiz! Your life-stories and personal successes are trye examples to all of our ILC students a out what they can achieve as Americans.

– Jessica and Chris Wright

Luiz

Parabéns!! Deus continue abençoando você e lhe fazendo benção na vida de outras pessoas!

– Regina Mainardes

What an honor to share that celebration with you, Colette!

May God keep blessing you and the work you do!

– Luiz Thomaz DaCosta