2026 Influential Latinos in Media

IMAGEN FOUNDATION CELEBRATES 41 YEARS,

UNVEILS 2026 CLASS OF MOST

INFLUENTIAL LATINOS IN MEDIA AND ENTERTAINMENT

Annual recognition highlights leaders shaping the future of Hollywood

LOS ANGELES — April 20 2026 — The Imagen Foundation, marking its 41st year championing Latino representation, today announced the 2026 class of its Influential Latinos in Media and Entertainment, an accomplished group of film, television, streaming and music executives, creative storytellers, next generation educators and community advocates driving impact across the industry.

This year’s honorees reflect the breadth and momentum of Latino leadership in Hollywood, spanning film, television, streaming and emerging platforms. Together, they represent a powerful cross-section of voices shaping storytelling, influencing culture and expanding opportunity both on screen and behind the scenes.

“As Imagen enters its fifth decade, this recognition is not only about honoring achievement, but also about spotlighting the leaders who are defining what comes next,” said Helen Hernandez, President and Co-founder of the Imagen Foundation. “These honorees embody innovation, resilience and cultural pride, and their contributions continue to move our industry forward in meaningful ways.”

As part of the evening’s event, Grammy-winning music composer, Cheche Alara and Executive Producer, Marie Leguizamo, will be recognized as inductees to Imagen’s Hall of Fame.

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.

Selected through a thorough review process, all honorees are recognized for their leadership, influence and commitment to advancing inclusive representation. Many have navigated a rapidly evolving media landscape – currently marked by industry consolidation, shifting audience behaviors and new distribution models – while continuing to create pathways for Latino talent, storytellers and leadership.

Now in its 16th year, the Influential Latinos in Media celebration brings together industry leaders for an evening of recognition and connection, honoring those whose work continues to redefine the narrative and expand representation across entertainment.

The 2026 celebration will take place on Saturday, May 9 at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles. Additional event details will be announced soon.

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Contact:
press@imagen.org

Influential Latinos Hall of Fame 2026 Inductees

Cheche Alara

Composer, Music Producer, Music Director, Conductor, Audito Media

Marie Leguizamo

Executive Producer

2026 Honorees

  • Kristen Andersen, Vice President, Onyx Collective, Onyx Collective | The Walt Disney Company
  • Javiera Balmaceda, Head of International Originals Latin America, Canada, Australia, Amazon MGM Studios
  • Tracy Brennan, Motion Picture Talent Agent, Creative Artists Agency (CAA)
  • Susana Carranza, Director, Marketing and Commercial Strategy, The Walt Disney Company
  • Calixto Chinchilla, Founder/Executive Director, New York Latino Film Festival
  • Pete Corona, President, RUTA
  • Claudia Daniel, Senior Vice President World Wide Theatrical Marketing and Distribution Finance, Sony Pictures Entertainment
  • Clayton Davis, Chief Awards Editor, Variety
  • JC Del Barco II, Senior Vice President, Head of Production & Post, Hartbeat, LLC
  • Lourdes Diaz, Producer, AGC Studios
  • Erica Diaz-Grant, Vice President, Development, Investigation Discovery
  • Joaquin Duro, EVP, Sports and Head of Streaming, NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises
  • Joe Eckardt, Executive Producer, Unbreakable Post
  • Luis Fernandez, Chairman, NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises
  • Marilu Galvez, President and General Manager, ABC7/WABC-TV New York
  • David Garcia, Vice President of Business Affairs, Hulu Originals & ABC Entertainment
  • Norma Garcia, CEO, Co-Founder, NRJ Media Group
  • Soraya Giaccardi Vargas, Founder, Pa’lante Initiative
  • Dr. Carlos Gutierrez, Distinguished Professor of Chemistry, Emeritus and Founding Director Minority Opportunities in Research Programs California State University, Los Angeles
  • Sean Jaquez, Chief Operating Officer, IP House
  • Christina Kolbjornsen, Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs & External Affairs, Telemundo
  • Maria Margarita Lopez, Director of Marketing & Partnerships, Variety
  • Julian Malagon, Vice President, Development, Sony Pictures Television – Kids
  • Oswald Mendez, Chief Marketing Officer, Canela Media
  • Tania Merlos, Producer, Variety Content Studio, Variety
  • Victoria Moll-Ramirez, Director, ABC News
  • Margie Moreno, Senior Vice President, Current Programs, Warner Bros Television Studios
  • Peter Murrieta, Interim Associate Dean, Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts, Los Angeles Professor of Practice The Sidney Poitier New American Film School Deputy Director, Arizona State University
  • Mariana Ordorica, Director, Global Head of Marketing, Amazon Luna
  • Martin Ortiz, President and General Manager, ABC30/KFSN-TV Fresno
  • Joe Ortiz, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Disney Entertainment Television – Hulu | Onyx Collective, Freeform & National Geographic, The Walt Disney Company
  • Andres Palencia, CEO, LatiNation Media
  • Tony Patterson, Head of Production and Post International Originals – Americas, Amazon MGM Studios
  • Kattia Quintanilla, Senior Vice President Ad Sales & Partnerships, The Walt Disney Company
  • Aura Quiroz, Head of Production, LatiNation Media
  • Isabel Rafferty Zavala, Co-Founder & CEO, Canela Media
  • Ana-Christina Ramon, Director, Entertainment and Media Research Initiative, UCLA
  • Frank Salinas, Head of Post Production, Sports, Specials, and APAC Unscripted, Amazon MGM Studios
  • Arturo Sedano, Head of Post Production, International Originals, SPLATAM, Amazon MGM Studios
  • Ingrid Tanji, Head of Business Affairs Latin America, Canada, Amazon MGM Studios
  • Bruno Ulloa, COO & President, Co-Founder, LatiNation Media
  • Heidy Vaquerano, Partner, Fox Rothschild
  • Andre Vargas, Chief Data Officer, Creative Artists Agency (CAA)
  • Anne Vasquez, Executive Director, Television Academy Foundation
  • 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