Legatus Presents 2025 Ambassador of the Year Award at 2026 National Summit
Legatus, an international organization of Catholic business leaders committed to integrating faith and leadership, welcomed more than 450 members from across the country to the 2026 Legatus National Summit in Santa Barbara, California.
Legatus, an international organization of Catholic business leaders committed to integrating faith and leadership, welcomed more than 450 members from across the country to the 2026 Legatus National Summit in Santa Barbara, California.
The gathering featured keynote presentations, spiritual formation opportunities, and recognition of members for exemplary leadership and witness.
During the Summit, Legatus presented its annual member awards, including the 2025 Ambassador of the Year Award, which was given to Mike Guarino of the Tampa Bay Chapter. “The Ambassador of the Year Award recognizes a Legatus member whose light shines clearly—someone whose faith is not confined to Sunday, but is evident in the way they lead, serve, and evangelize in the world,” said Legatus President Stephen Henley. Together, Michael and his wife, Marissa, were instrumental in helping to bring the Eucharistic Encounter to Tampa, Florida—an eight-hour, free event attended by approximately 12,000 people, featuring Fr. Mike Schmitz, Sr. Bethany Madonna, S.V., Bishop David Toups, Dr. Edward Sri, Justin Fatica, Fr. Carlos Rojas and a concert by Matt Maher. Michael has also started to work with the poor in downtown Tampa by feeding them and walking with them. The 2025 Ambassador of the Year Award honor was presented as part of the Summit’s formal awards program.
The three-day event centered on the theme, “Enter into the joy of your Master” (Matthew 25:23), and included keynote addresses from Dr. Ben Carson and actor Neal McDonough, along with presentations from Catholic speakers and leaders addressing faith, leadership, ethics, and contemporary challenges facing Catholics in the workplace. Participants also took part in daily Mass, Eucharistic adoration, the Rosary, and opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
In addition to the Ambassador of the Year Award, Legatus presented the 2025 Cardinal O’Connor Defender of the Faith Award to Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, recognizing faithful leadership and public witness to Catholic teaching. Additional national awards honored members and chapter leaders for evangelization, chaplaincy, chapter administration, membership growth, and presidential leadership.
Founded in 1987 by Tom Monaghan, Legatus brings together Catholic CEOs, executives, and business leaders, along with their spouses, for faith formation, fellowship, and spiritual growth. With more than 5,000 members in over 90 chapters worldwide, Legatus supports Catholic leaders in living and spreading the faith in their professional and personal lives.
For more information about Legatus Tampa Bay, click here.
