The Imagen Foundation Marks 40 Years by Recognizing 2025’s Most Influential Latinos in Media and Entertainment
Honoring the Trailblazers Shaping the Future of Hollywood
LOS ANGELES, CA – April 16, 2025: In a continued commitment to elevate Latino excellence in entertainment, The Imagen Foundation proudly unveils the 2025 class of Powerful and Influential Latinos in Media and Entertainment. This year’s honorees include a dynamic mix of industry trailblazers — from network and studio executives to educators and community advocates — whose visionary leadership and cultural impact are reshaping the narrative of Hollywood and beyond. (Click to view the 2025 list: Imagen Influentials Class of 2025)
“As we mark Imagen’s 40th year, this milestone is more than a celebration. It’s a tribute to progress and possibility,” said Helen Hernandez, President and Co-founder of The Imagen Foundation. “Our honorees exemplify the talent, determination, and cultural richness that continue to shape this industry. At a time when representation is evolving, these leaders reaffirm the strength and value of Latino voices.”
The 2025 honorees have risen to meet the challenges of a rapidly shifting industry — demonstrating skill, intelligence and resilience amid restructuring, economic uncertainty and the changing audience demands. Their achievements highlight individual excellence and reflect the foresight of the companies that recognized the vital role Latinos play in driving innovation, fostering inclusion and contributing to the growth of entertainment and media.
As another powerful gesture of unity and shared purpose, The Imagen Foundation will also honor four prominent Latino organizations working tirelessly to advance opportunities and equity for Latinos in media and entertainment across the country: the Latino Film Institute, Latino Filmmakers Network, Latino Public Broadcasting, National Association of Latino Independent Producers and the National Hispanic Media Coalition. Their advocacy represents the collective strength of a community dedicated to progress and visibility.
“In keeping with Imagen’s four-decade legacy, its work continues to recognize diversity in its full spectrum – culture, ethnicity, gender, identity and lived experience,” said Edward James Olmos, Actor and Founder of the Latino Public Broadcasting, Latino Film Institute and Film Festival. “This celebration is a reaffirmation that inclusion is not a trend but a foundation for Latinos in Hollywood.”
Honorees are selected through a rigorous review process led by The Imagen Foundation’s selection committee, which evaluates nominees based on their leadership achievements, industry influence and commitment to creating equitable, inclusive environments. Returning honorees earn a place in the Influential Latinos in Media Hall of Fame.
Now in its 15th year, the Influential Latinos in Media celebration will take place on Saturday, April 26, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA in Los Angeles. For tickets and more information, click here.
ABOUT THE IMAGEN FOUNDATION:
In 1995, the NCCJ transferred stewardship of the Imagen Awards to a dedicated group of Latino leaders, leading to the formation of the Imagen Foundation as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 1996. From its inception, the organization has worked closely with key industry companies, and its board members continue to reflect those partnerships.
In 2007, Imagen launched its groundbreaking effort to track Latino senior-level executives in the entertainment industry. Today, the annual Powerful and Influential Latinos in Entertainment list honors more than 100 professionals — from executives to agents and managers — and serves as a valuable network and resource for the Latino community.
As the Imagen Foundation celebrates 40 years of empowering Latino talent, it remains a vital force for equity, advocacy, and connection in Hollywood. Through its programs and events, Imagen continues to serve as a bridge between the entertainment industry and the diverse communities it represents.
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Contact:
press@imagen.org
(626) 376-9751
2025 Hall of Fame Inductees
Francisco Arias
General Counsel, Head of Business & Legal Affairs
FIFTH SEASON
Christine Benitez
Sr. Vice President, Multicultural Marketing
Paramount Pictures
Flavio Morales
Producer, Owner
Alta Media, Inc.
Rey M. Rodriguez
Assistant Chief Counsel of Legal Affairs
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures and
Walt Disney Motion Pictures International
Influential Latinos in Media, Class of 2025
- JC Acosta, Head of The Mediapro Studio US & Canada, The Mediapro Studio US & Canada
- Pamela A. Aguilar, Sr. Vice President, Unscripted & Head of Smithsonian Channel, MTVE Studios, Paramount Global
- Cheche Alara, Composer, Music Producer, Music Director, Conductor, Audito Media
- Jenny Alonzo, Vice President, Regional Sales, Sony Pictures Entertainment
- Kristen Andersen, Vice President, Publicity, Onyx Collective | The Walt Disney Company
- Heather R. Anderson, Vice President, Original Content and Business Affairs, ESPN
- Sandra Avila, Partner & Literary Manager, Inclusion Management
- Jose Avina, Sr. Vice President, Legal Affairs, Paramount Pictures
- Javiera Balmaceda, Head of Originals, Latin America, Canada & Australia, Amazon MGM Studios
- Tracy Brennan, Motion Picture Talent Agent, Creative Artists Agency (CAA)
- Amber Castellanos, Sr. Vice President, GFO International Accounting & Disbursements, Sony Pictures Entertainment
- Jose Luis Castro, Executive Vice President, Consumer Products & Experiences, Paramount Global
- Javier Chapa, Founder & CEO, Producer, Mucho Mas Media
- Jaime Dávila, President & Co-Founder, Campanario Entertainment
- Clayton Davis, Chief Awards Editor, Variety
- Danielle De Jesus, Sr. Vice President, Original Programming, Showtime
- Erica Diaz-Gant, Vice President, Development, Investigation Discovery
- Joaquin Duro, Executive Vice President of Sports, NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises
- Luis Fernández, Chairman, NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises
- David A. Garcia, Vice President, Business Affairs, Hulu Originals & ABC Entertainment
- Gemma Garcia, Executive Vice President, Noticias Telemundo, NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises
- Rafael Garcia, Vice President, Original Series, Disney Branded Television
- Miguel Guerra, Vice President, Business & Legal Affairs, FIFTH SEASON
- Cynthia C. Hernandez, Vice President, Business Affairs, Disney Television Animation
- Maria Teresa Hernandez, Head of Brand Partnerships & Supplier Diversity, Mirriad
- Kiska Higgs, President, Production and Acquisitions, Focus Features
- Erika Kennair, Head of Scripted Television, The Mediapro Studio US & Canada
- Marie Leguizamo, Managing Director, Banijay Mexico & US Hispanic
- Daniel R. Lopez, Associate Principal Counsel, Marvel Studios
- Fabricio Lopez, Assistant General Counsel, The Walt Disney Company
- María Margarita López, Director of Marketing & Partnerships, Variety
- Chiquis Marin, Chief Creative Officer, Busy Bee Productions
- Adam Martinez, Vice President, Development, Drama Developmenet, CBS Studios
- Edward Mejia, Vice President, Current Series, Disney Television Animation – The Walt Disney Company
- Oswald Mendez, Chief Marketing Officer, Canela Media
- Vanessa I. Mendoza, Vice President, Physical Production, Paramount Pictures
- Amanda Molina, Director, Consumer and Advertiser Insights, The Walt Disney Company
- Rita Morales, Sr. Business Affairs Executive, Amazon MGM Studios
- Margie Moreno, Sr. Vice President, Current Programs, WBTV
- Lumumba Mosquera, Executive Vice President, Head of Business Affairs, Paramount Pictures
- Robert Muñoz, President, Mucho Mas Media
- Peter Murrieta, Deputy Director – The Sidney Poitier New American Film School, Arizona State University
- Lily Neumeyer, Executive Vice President/Head of Development, MTV Entertainment, Paramount Global
- Joe Ortiz, Sr. Vice President, Content Marketing, Onyx Collective & Freeform | The Walt Disney Company
- Martin Ortiz, President and General Manager, ABC30/KFSN-TV Fresno
- Andres Palencia, CEO & Co-Founder, LatiNation Media
- Liza Pano, Executive Vice President, Worldwide Distribution Services, Paramount Pictures
- Maria Perez, Vice President, Development, Disney Branded Television
- Isabel Rafferty Zavala, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Canela Media
- Stephanie Ramos, National Correspondent, ABC News
- Francesca Ricagni, Head of US Hispanic Content, The Mediapro Studio, US & Canada
- Anna Rios, Head of Consumer Insights, LATAM, CA, AU/NZ, Amazon MGM Studios
- Joseph Rodriguez, Executive Vice President, Business Affairs & Administration, Paramount Pictures
- Frank Salinas, Head of Post Production Unscripted, Sports, New Media and Live Specials, Amazon MGM Studios
- Laura Marie Salinas, Head of Corporate Partnerships, Women In Film
- Dustin Sandoval, Vice President, Digital Marketing, The Walt Disney Company
- Bruno Seros-Ulloa, COO & President, Co-Founder, LatiNation Media
- Heidy Vaquerano, Partner, Fox Rothschild
- André Vargas, Chief Data Officer, Creative Artists Agency (CAA)
- Anne Vasquez, Executive Director, Television Academy Foundation
- Karen Vega, Vice President, Global Client Partnerships, Paramount Global
- Migde Velázquez, Global Series Production Executive, Amazon MGM Studios
- Marc Velez, Sr. Vice President, Head of Development, NBCUniversal
- Rob Velez, Vice President, Inclusive Network Sales, Vevo
- Ligiah Villalobos, Producer, Writer, Consultant, Educator, and Lecturer
Non-Profit Organizations
- Latino Film Institute
- Latino Filmmakers Network
- Latino Public Broadcasting
- National Association of Latino Independent Producers
- National Hispanic Media Coalition
