101 Most Influential 2018 (1–50)
01. LALO ALCARAZ: ARTIST, CARTOONIST, WRITER
Lalo Alcaraz is best known for his comic La Cucaracha, the first nationally syndicated, politically themed Latino daily comic strip. Launched in 2002, La Cucaracha has become one of the most controversial in the history of American comic strips. He is also the creator of "Daniel D. Portado", a satirical Hispanic character who in 1994 called on Mexican immigrants to return south—""reverse immigration"—as a response to the controversial Proposition 187. A leading figure in the Chicano movement, Alcaraz also contributes political cartoons for LA Weekly and hosts a radio show on KPFK called the "Pocho Hour of Power." He also contributed a work of art to the 2008 Obama campaign called "Viva Obama." Alcaraz led a social campaign in response to Disney's attempt to trademark El Dia de los Muertos for Disney film, "Coco". He won and was then hired by Pixar to consult on the film.
personal:
Mexican-American
Born:1964 in San Diego, CA
Bachelor's in Art and Industrial Design from San Diego State University, Master's degree in Architecture from University of California, Berkeley.
Married
TWITTER: @laloalcaraz
02. AGUSTÍN ARTEAGA: EUGENE MCDERMOTT DIRECTOR OF DALLAS MUSEUM OF ART
Agustin Arteaga formerly served as the director of the Museo Nacional de Arte (MUNAL) in Mexico City, one of Mexico’s largest and most prominent cultural institutions, presenting work from the mid-16th through the mid-20th centuries. Arteaga has organized more than 100 exhibitions over the course of his career, including major monographic presentations of Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, and Diego Rivera. Arteaga was decorated as a Chevalier in the French Republic’s Order of Arts and Letters in 1998, and he received the Ohtli Award from the government of Mexico in 2013, which is the highest honor bestowed to Mexican citizens for support of Mexican culture abroad. He also organized Mexico's Modern Art Exhibition México 1900–1950: Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, José Clemente Orozco, and the Avant-Garde in Dallas, TX making it the only first and only stop in the U.S.
personal:
Mexican
Born: February 14, 1958 in Veracruz, Mexico
B.A in Architecture from Universida Metropolitana de México, M.A. and Ph.D from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
Married
twitter: @DallasMuseumArt
03. EDUARDO DIAZ: DIRECTOR OF THE SMITHSONIAN LATINO CENTER
Eduardo Díaz is the director of the Smithsonian Latino Center and a 30-year veteran of arts administration. Díaz is responsible for the management and delivery of exhibitions, public and educational programs and the Latino Center’s Latino Virtual Museum. During his tenure, he has spearheaded several projects, including the exhibitions “Our America: The Latino Presence in American Art” and “Cerámica de los Ancestros: Central America’s Past Revealed.” Current research initiatives include the Caribbean Indigenous Legacies Project and the Latino D.C. History Project. From 1981 to 1999, Díaz served as the director of Cultural Affairs for the City of San Antonio. He is currently a member of the National Association of Latino Arts and Culture.
personal:
Bachelor's in Latin American Studies
from San Diego State University
Law degree from the University of California at Davis
twitter: @SLC_Latino
04. GUSTAVO ADOLFO DUDAMEL: MUSIC DIRECTOR AT SIMON BOLÍVAR SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA OF VENEZUELA/ MUSIC AND ARTISTIC DIRECTOR AT LOS ANGELES PHILHARMONIC
Gustavo Dudamel was the son of a trombonist and a voice teacher. He studied music from an early age, with El Sistema, and took up the violin at age ten. In 1999, he was appointed music director of the Orquesta Sinfónica Simón Bolívar, the national youth orchestra of Venezuela. Dudamel has won a number of conducting competitions, including the Gustav Mahler Conducting Prize in Germany in 2004. In 2013, Dudamel conducted the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra during the funeral of Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez. In 2015, Dudamel conducted both the opening and end titles, for the official motion picture soundtrack and film of Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens. In 2018, the 100th Year Anniversary of the LA Philharmonic, Dudamel will conduct the orchestra in a special season where he will showcase versitility by collaborating with artists like Katy Perry, Chris Martine, Herbie Hancock, and others.
personal:
Venezuelan
Born: January 26, 1981 in Barquisimeto, Lara, Venezuela
Latin American Academy of Violin.
Divorced
twitter: @gustavodudamel
05. ISABEL ALLENDE: author
Chilean author Isabel Allende won worldwide acclaim when her bestselling first novel, The House of the Spirits, was published in 1982. She has since written 22 more works. Allende, who has received dozens of international tributes and awards over the last 30 years, describes her fiction as “realistic literature,” rooted in her remarkable upbringing and the mystical people and events that fueled her imagination. In addition to her work as a writer, Allende also devotes much of her time to human rights. Following the death of her daughter, Paula, in 1992, she established in her honor a charitable foundation dedicated to the protection and empowerment of women and girls worldwide. She has been awarded 15 international honorary doctorates and more than 60 awards in over 15 countries. In 2017, she published her latest novel, In The Midst of Winter.
personal:
Chilean-American
Born: August 2, 1942 in Lima, Peru
Secondary studies
Divorced
twitter: @isabelallende
06. MOCTESUMA ESPARZA: PRODUCER, ACTIVIST
A prolific producer with 31 credits, Oscar-nominated Moctezuma Esparza blazed the trail for Chicano/Latino on-screen stories since the 1970s. His documentary short “Agueda Martinez: Our People, Our Country” received an Academy nod in 1978. His most popular work includes Selena and The Milagro Beanfield War and the HBO film Walkout. Recognizing the need for more cinemas to screen Latino and ethnically diverse films as well as Hollywood fare, Esparza launched the Maya Cinema multiplex chain; there are now six across the U.S. with a seventh location opening in Dallas, TX.
personal:
Mexican-American
Born: March 12, 1949 in Los Angeles, CA
B.A. of Theatre Arts-Motion Pictures, television, M.F.A. of Theatre Arts-Motion Pictures, TV from the University California Los Angeles
Married
twitter: @MoctesumaE
07. ENRIQUE ACEVEDO: JOURNALIST, CORRESPONDENT at univision
One of the freshest faces of Univision journalism team, Enrique Acevedo has covered some of the most important events. He is the anchor for Noticiero Univision late-night edition. He has been the recipient of a News & Documentary Emmy Award in the Outstanding Newscast or News Magazine category. He has interviewed some of the most influential figures in the world including President Barack Obama, philanthropist Melinda Gates, Nobel Peace Prize winners Jody Williams, Desmond Tutu, Kofi Annan and Juan Manuel Santos, as well as many other global leaders in the fields of science, finance and technology. He's credibility has been steadily expanding among the Hispanic American community.
personal:
Mexican
Born: March 6, 1978 in Mexico City
Masters in Journalism from Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism
Married
twitter: @Enrique_Acevedo
08. JAIME CAMIL: actor
Mexican actor Jaime Camil has made his print in America. He is best known for his roles as Fernando Mendiola in La fea más bella and Rogelio de la Vega in Jane the Virgin. He has recorded four platinum selling albums and has led many musicals in Mexico City including West Side Story, Hook, Aladdin, El diluvio que viene and more. In 2005, he led the Broadway-bound musical The Mambo Kings. In 2018, he won the Choice TV Actor-Comedy category of the Teen Choice Awards for his incredible role in Jane the Virgin.
personal:
Mexican
Born: July 22, 1973 in Mexico City
Bachelor's in Business Administration from Universidad Anáhuac
Married
twitter: @jaimecamil
09. ROSARIO DAWSON: actress
Rosario Dawson is an American actress and activist. Her film debut in the 1995 controversial teen drama Kids launched a huge career which has been a mix of Hollywood big budget films and indie movies. She is also very politically active. Dawson is Co-founder of Voto Latino. Very involved with the Lower East Side Girls Club, she supports numerous charities including environmental group Global Cool, the ONE Campaign, Operation USA, Oxfam, Amnesty International, among others. Dawson is a spokeswoman for TripAdvisor.com's philanthropy program, More Than Footprints, Conservation International, Doctors Without Borders, National Geographic Society, The Nature Conservancy, and Save The Children. Dawson partnered with SodaStream International in launching the first annual Unbottle the World Day, a campaign conceived in an effort to raise awareness to the impact of cans and plastic bottles on the environment.
personal:
Puerto Rican-Cuban
Born: May 9, 1979 in New York, NY
Lee Strasberg Institute
Single
twitter: @rosariodawson
10. AMERICA GEORGINE FERRERA: actress
With 41 film and TV credits, America Ferrera has built a solid resume of high quality roles in major Hollywood films, live action and animation. Best known for her hit series Ugly Betty, the US version of Betty la Fea, the hit Latin American novella, Ferrera’s performance as the nerdy, ever-optimistic fashion magazine assistant in a viper’s nest of ‘fashionistas’ won hearts for 85 episodes, and broke barriers for Latinas on network TV. Her performance even received congressional congratulation by the US House of Representatives, for being a role model for young Hispanics. Recognized in 2007 by “TIME Magazine” as one of the “Most Influential People in the World,” Ferrera’s bright smile is insured for $10 million by Lloyds of London. She was also the opening speaker for the Women's March on Washington in 2017. In 2018, she published her first book American Like Me: Reflections on Life Between Cultures.
personal:
Honduran-American
Born: April 18, 1984 in Los Angeles,CA
Major in International Relations from University of Southern California
Married
twitter: @americaferrera
11. MARIA HINOJOSa: JOURNALIST AND HOST OF LATINO USA
For 25 years, Maria Hinojosa has been covering all sorts of issues for radio and TV networks like National Public Radio, CBS and CNN. A winner of four Emmys and other national and international awards, Hinojosa is known for also covering underreported issues, Latinos and other communities. She hosts the radio show Latino USA on National Public Radio since 1992. In 2010 she founded the Futuro Media Group. Hinojosa taught at DePaul University as the Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz chair of the Latin American and Latino Studies program in 2013. She is also the author and mastermind of two books including a motherhood memoir, Raising Raul: Adventures Raising Myself and My Son. In 2018, Futuro Media Group acquired digital news outlet Latino Rebels.
personal:
Mexican-American
Born: July 2, 1961 in Mexico, City
B.A. from Barnard College
Married
twitter: @Maria_Hinojosa
12. LEJUAN JAMES: influencer
Internet star LeJuan James quickly connected with Latinos across the nation through his video depicting Latino culture and family life. His comedic videos poke fun at Hispanic parenting. He began as a viner and grew his following. He now has an even greater following on Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. He currently has two million followers on Instagram, 122k followers on Twitter, and 165K subscribers on YouTube. He has collaborated with various brands to promote events, products, and initiatives. In 2018, he was recipient of Hispanicize 2018 Latinovator Award.
personal:
Puerto Rican-Dominican
Born: February 19, 1990 in Puerto Rico
Single
twitter: @LeJuan__James
13. EVA LONGORIA- BASTÓn: ACTRESS, ACTIVIST, PHILANTHROPIST
Eva Longoria was cast in her most iconic role to date as Gabrielle Solis in ABC’s Desperate Housewives, which ran from 2004 to 2012. Eva is also an active philanthropist founding the Eva Longoria Foundation to help Latinas build better futures through education and entrepreneurship. She is also the cofounder of Eva´s Heroes in San Antonio. Eva's Heroes is a non-profit that benefits developmentally disabled children. She has received numerous awards for her work and philanthropy. Among them are awards from Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, the National Hispanic Leadership Institute, The National Civil Rights Museum, Variety, the Hollywood Reporter, and the Mayor of Los Angeles. Through her work and charity, Eva continues to remain active, empowering Latinos to create better futures.
personal:
Mexican-American
Born: March 15, 1975 in Corpus Christie, TX
Bachelor's of Science in Kinesiology from Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Master's in Chicano Studies from California State University, Northride
Married
twitter: @EvaLongoria
14. JENNIFER LOPEz: singer, actress
Jennifer López broke the glass ceiling for Latinas in entertainment as the first Latina actress to be paid more than $1 million as result of her leading role in the 1997 biopic Selena. López has released eight studio albums, and many singles. López again made history as a judge in the last five seasons of American Idol. With a new Las Vegas ‘residency’ at Planet Hollywood, her earnings keep pace with her ambition. On July 21st, 2016, her production company announced López’ latest TV deal: a 10 episode: “World of Dance”, a reality show on NBC. As of 2016, López ‘net worth is estimated at 320 million. In 2018, she was awarded the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards, making the the first Latin performer to receive this recognition since its introduction in 1984.
personal:
Puerto Rican
Born: July 24, 1969 in Castle Hill, NY
Divorced
twitter: @Jlo
15. STEVEN M. LOPEZ: JOURNALIST AT LOS ANGELES TIMES
Steven Lopez has written for the LA Times since 2001. His humanity has touched millions of loyal readers. Lopez’ series of columns about his unlikely relationship with schizophrenic bassist, Nathaniel Anthony Ayers became the subject of a national best-selling book, The Soloist, winner of the PEN USA Literary Award for Non-Fiction, and the subject of a Dream Works movie by the same name. Ayers and Lopez's relationship was also nationally highlighted in the March 22, 2009, episode of 60 Minutes. He wrote the novels Third and Indiana, The Sunday Macaroni Club, and "In the Clear." He has also compiled a collection of his works from The Philadelphia Inquirer titled Land of Giants, and a collection of Los Angeles Times columns called "Dreams & Schemes". In 2011, he was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize.
personal:
Spanish-Italian
Born: 1953 in Pittsburg, CA
San Jose State University
twitter: @LATstevelopez
16. LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA: COMPOSER, PLAYWRIGHT, ACTOR, SINGER
Lin-Manuel Miranda is best known for creating and starring in the Broadway musicals Hamilton and In the Heights. Hamilton has won 11 Tony awards and Pulitzer prize. Miranda wrote the book, music, and lyrics for both shows, in addition to starring in the title role. He has personally won a Pulitzer Prize, two Grammys, an Emmy, an Olivier, a MacArthur "Genius" Award, and three Tony awards, among others. Lin Manuel's work and talent has placed him on the very notorious list of the Most Influential People created by Time Magazine. His recently debuted his music video "Immigrants". The track was taken from The Hamilton Mixtape. The song that was released in late 2016, debuted as No. 1 on the charts. He is set to star in the upcoming film Mary Poppins Returns in theaters at the end of 2018.
personal:
Puerto Rican-American
Born: January 16, 1980 in New York, New York
Theater Studies at Wesleyan University
Married
twitter: @Lin_Manuel
17. JOSE ALVARO OSORIO BALVIN "J BALVIN": singer
José Álvaro Osorio Balvin, known professionally as J Balvin, is a Colombian reggaeton singer. His success goes beyond Latin American markets. His crossover with artists like, Beyonce, Liam Payne, Pharrell Williams, David Guetta, Camila Cabello, and Major Lazer. His music is experimental and has crossed genres. On August 2017, Mi Gente topped the Global Top 50 on Spotify, and later reached one billion views on YouTube. Mi Gente won the 2018 award for the Latin Rhythm Song of the Year from Billboard Latin Music Awards, the 2018 award for Best Latin from MTV Video Music Awards. JBalvin's is considered to be a game changer in the industry.
personal:
Colombian
Born: May , 1985 in Medellin, Colombia
Single
twitter: @JBALVIN
18. JORGE RAMOS: JOURNALIST AT UNIVISION
In 2016, respected, Emmy-winning anchor Jorge Ramos came face to face with the enemy. Rudely ejected from a press conference of GOP presidential nominee, Trump, for asking hard questions, Ramos’ dignity did not waver even as he appeared stunned by the naked racism directed at him, as a journalist representing Mexicans in America. Mexican-born Ramos came to the U.S. in the 80s; in that time, he has become the most trusted face of Latino journalism. Named "the voice of the voiceless", Ramos has co-anchored Noticiero Univision for nearly three decades, covering major events from wars to the September 11 terrorist attacks. He has interviewed US and Latin American presidents and Nobel Prize winners, like Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Sarah Palin, Fidel Castro, Hugo Chavez, among others. He also hosts Univision’s “Al Punto” and Fusion’s English-language “America with Jorge Ramos.” He has authored 11 books and writes a column distributed in more than 40 newspapers.
personal:
Mexican
Born: March 16, 1958 in Mexico City
Communications from Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City, Master’s in International Studies from the University of Miami
Divorced
twitter: @jorgeramosnews
19. GINA RODRIGUEZ: actress
Gina Rodriguez is a Golden Globe winner for her portrayal of Jane Villanueva in the hit TV comedy Jane the Virgin. Rodriguez, whose TV career began with Law and Order, became known for her work on the soap opera Bold and the Beautiful, is a now a red-hot Hollywood star. Aware of the power of images in media, Gina consciously avoids roles that perpetuate negative stereotypes. The actress is also penning a book honoring her father Genaro Rodríguez, “I Can and I Will: Tools My Daddy Gave Me.” Rodriguez is also politically active. She publicly endorsed Hillary Clinton for president. Her activism has continued into her social media accounts. She religiously created the hashtag #MovementMondays in which she showcases a Latino or Latina. In 2018, Netflix bought the live-action film rights for Carmen Sandiego, with Rodriguez voicing the main character.
personal:
Puerto Rican-American
Born: July 30, 1984 in Chicago, Illinois
Tisch School of the Arts
Single
twitter: @HereIsGina
20. CARLOS SANTANA: musician
A music legend with a career spanning nearly 50 years, Carlos Santana has influenced an entire genre of Latin-infused rock. “Rolling Stone” listed Santana, who has won 10 Grammys and three Latin Grammys, at number 20 on their list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time. He also is the recipient Billboard Latin Music Awards’ 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award. At 67, Santana just keeps going on, recording performing sold-out dates around the world. The Milagro Foundation, established by Santana in 1998, has granted more than $5 million dollars to supporting underserved children and youth in the areas of arts, education and health.
personal:
Mexican-American
Born: July 20, 1947 in Autlan de Navarro, Jalisco, Mexico
Secondary studies
Married
twitter: @SantanaCarlos
21. JOSE ALMEIDA: CHAIRMAN, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF BAXTER
Joe Almeida was named chairman, president and chief executive officer of Baxter in January 2016. He is now leading the company through a period of dynamic transformation powered by accelerated innovation, operational excellence and strategic execution. Almeida is a member of the board of directors of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. and Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Inc., a Carlyle Group Company. He also serves on the board of trustees of Partners in Health.
personal:
B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Instituto Mauá de Tecnologia
22. THADDEUS ARROYO: CEO OF AT&T BUSINESS
Thaddeus Arroyo was appointed Chief Executive Officer of AT&T Business in December 2016. He is responsible for the company's integrated global Business Solutions organization, which serves more than 3 million business customers in nearly 200 countries and territories, including nearly all of the world's Fortune 1000 companies. He was named one of CNET en Español’s “20 Most Influential Latinos in Technology” in 2015; named to the CIO Hall of Fame by CIO Magazine for “profoundly shaping the technology-driven business landscape” in 2014; and earned MIT Sloan’s CIO Leadership Award for “delivering business value and innovative use of IT in exceptional ways” in 2014.
personal:
American
Born: 1964 in San Francisco
B.S. in Mathematics and Computer Science from University of Texas at Arlington, MBA from Southern Methodist University
Married
23. HENRY CISNEROS: CHAIRMAN OF CITYVIEW AND PRINCIPAL OF SEIBERT CISNEROS SHANK
With a long career in community-building, Henry Cisneros varied career includes stints as mayor, housing developer, and TV corporate owner. He is now taken another role as a sort of “evangelizer” of climate change to the business sector, helping to shape public opinion on the subject. He was appointed to Secretary of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development in 1992 and worked to revitalize several of the country’s public housing developments with new policies, which helped grow the home ownership rate in the country. Cisneros was also president and chief executive officer of Univision Communications and continues to serve on its board. He has served as the president of the National League of Cities, deputy chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas and Habitat for Humanity International.
personal:
Mexican-American
Born: June 11, 1947 in San Antonio, Texas
B.A. and M.A. in Urban and Regional Planning, from Texas A&M University
Master’s in Public Administration from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University
DPA from George Washington University
Married
24. MARCELO CLAURE: COO OF SOFTBANK GROUP CORP., CEO OF SOFTBANK INTERNATIONAL
Marcelo Claure, former CEO of Sprint Corporation and the current COO of SoftBank Group Corp., is one of a handful of Latino CEO’s of multi-billion dollar companies. Sprint, now the 4th largest wireless network in the US as of March 2016, ranked number 87 on the Fortune 500 before Japan’s SoftBank acquired an 80% ownership. He is now the COO of SoftBank Group Corp. and the CEO of SoftBank International.
personal:
Bolivian
Born: December 9, 1970 in La Paz, Bolivia
B.S. in Economics and Finance from Bentley University
Married
Twitter: @marceloclaure
25. NANETTE COCERO: REGIONAL PRESIDENT OF EMERGING MARKETS PFIZER
Nanette Cocero is Regional President for Emerging Markets in Pfizer’s Innovative Health Pharma segment in New York City. This includes innovative products, vaccines, and oncology. Cocero manages about 3,000 employees in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and emerging Asia Pacific countries. She is responsible for developing new strategies to bring Pfizer’s innovative medicines to a larger number of patients in emerging economies. In 2012, Nanette played a leadership role in introducing Pfizer’s breakthrough medicine against lung cancer in China. During her 15 years at Pfizer, Nanette has faced many challenges, and is always gratified when she is able to enable access to crucial and life-saving medicines. Cocero led the completion of the Pfizer- Wyeth merger in Spain in 2010; her efforts resulted in a larger portfolio of specialty care medicines for Spanish patients. This is what Cocero lives for; the opportunity to serve patients with medical needs is her privilege and a responsibility.
personal:
B.S. in Chemistry from Cornell University, M.B.A. and Ph.D. in Pharmacology from University of Pennsylvania The Wharton School
Twitter: @pfizer
26. CESAR CONDE: CHAIRMAN NBC UNIVERSAL INTERNATIONAL GROUP AND TELEMUNDO INTERPRISES
Cesar Conde exploded through the executive ranks at Univision to become one of the youngest presidents of an American broadcast network at the age of 36 in 2009. While at the Spanish-language network, he held half a dozen senior positions, from special assistant to the CEO, to VP and operating manager of the Galavisión Network to vice president Univision’s sales and business development. In 2013, Conde joined NBC Universal, where he served as an executive vice president prior to his promotion to Chairman. He has led multiple social and community initiatives throughout his time in Univision and Telemundo.
personal:
Peruvian-Cuban
Born: December 8, 1973 in New York City, NY
B.A from Harvard University and M.B.A from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania
Married
Twitter: @cesarconde_
27. CASTULO DE LA ROCHA: PRESIDENT AND CEO OF ALTAMED HEALTH SERVICES CORPORATION
Castulo De la Rocha has made a name for himself nationally as a foremost advocate for affordable health care to struggling Latino communities. He holds several degrees from top tier universities, including a Juris Doctorate from Berkeley. Since joining AltaMed in 1977, the company has grown exponentially under his tenure to now serve communities in the L.A and Orange County area. AltaMed today is the largest FQHC in the state of California and number one in the nation, delivering more than one million patient visits annually across nearly 50 medical, dental and PACE sites in Los Angeles and Orange counties. In 2017, he was awarded the Medallion of Excellence from CHCI.
personal:
Mexican-American
Born: 1948
B.A. in Political Science from University of California in Santa Barbara, J.D. from Boalt Hall School of Law at the University of California in Berkeley
28. EDUARDO DIAZ: FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT OF EYM GROUP
Eduardo Diaz founded EYM Group in 2008. EYM Group is a multi-brand franchisee company of Denny's, Burger King and Pizza Hut restaurants. Their restaurants are located in Texas, Florida, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Georgia, and South Carolina. Diaz is considered one of the most important franchise leaders in the nation.
personal:
Mexican
Bachelor's and MBA from Universidad Anahuac Mexico Norte
Twitter: @EDiazBalogh
29. ANDRES GLUSKI: PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE AES CORPORATION
During his tenure as President and CEO since 2011, Andrés Gluski has led a major reorganization and cost savings program that has transformed the company, resulting in over $250M in annual savings to-date with an additional $150M in annual savings targeted by 2020. Under Andrés’ leadership, first as COO and currently as CEO, AES’ operational excellence was recognized with an unprecedented five of the last nine International Edison Awards given by the Edison Electric Institute for innovation and operational improvements. Andrés established sustainability and corporate social responsibility goals that resulted in AES’ inclusion in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for North America for the past four years and designation as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for four years in a row by the Ethisphere® Institute.
personal:
Venezuelan
Born: Venezuela
Wake Forest University, MA and PhD in Economics from the University of Virginia
Twitter: @AndresGluski
30. RICHARD GONZALEZ: CHAIRMAN AND CEO OF ABBVIE
Rick Gonzalez is Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of AbbVie, a global biopharmaceutical company employing approximately 29,000 people and marketing medicines in more than 175 countries. Prior to AbbVie’s separation from Abbott, Mr. Gonzalez was a 30-year Abbott veteran. He served as Executive Vice President, Pharmaceutical Products Group, where he led the global pharmaceutical business, including commercial operations, research and development and manufacturing. He also served as President and Chief Operating Officer, prior to a brief retirement.
31. JUAN GONZALEZ MORENO: CHAIRMAN AND CEO OF GRUMA AND GIMSA
Juan González Moreno is Chairman and CEO of GRUMA and GIMSA, the world’s leading producers of corn and flour tortillas and wheat-flour related food products. In 2014, Gruma reported revenues of 3.8 billion. In 2016, it was reported that Gruma/Mission Foods contributed US$4 million dollars to create a Mexico-Texas bilateral relations center “The Mission Foods Texas-Mexico Center” to provide a solid foundation for developing a better understanding of the unique relationship between Mexico and Texas in political, economic, social, and cultural matters. This educational center will make recommendations on public policies and encourage debate and research in order to improve the strategic relationships between Mexico, Texas, and the United States. in 2013, González Moreno was named #20 in “Los 100 empresarios mas importantes de Mexico” (Mexico’s 100 important executives) in Expansion magazine.
personal:
Mexican
Born: August 23, 1957 in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico
B.B.A. from Universidad Regiomontana, M.B.A. from University of San Diego
Married
Twitter: @GrumaGlobal
32. MAURICIO GUTIERREZ: PRESIDENT AND CEO OF NRG
Mauricio Gutierrez joined NRG in 2004 and helped build the company from a regional wholesale generation business to a national, Fortune 500, diversified energy company. Prior to becoming President and CEO, he held the position of Chief Operating Officer. During his tenure as COO, Gutierrez led NRG's engineering and construction activities related to new generation and repowering projects.
personal:
Mexican
B.Sc. In Industrial Engineering from Universidad Panamericana, M.Sc. In Mineral Economics from Colorado School of Mines, M.Sc. In Petroleum Economics from IFP School
Twitter: @NRGMauricio
33. BERNARDO HEES: CEO OF THE KRAFT HEINZ COMPANY
Prior to the merger of Kraft Foods Group and the H.J. Heinz Company in 2015, Bernardo Hees had been with the H.J. Heinz Company since 2013. Before joining Heinz, Hees was the Chief Executive Officer of Burger King Worldwide, Inc., following its acquisition by 3G Capital Management in 2010. Hees also spent 12 years at American Latina Logistica (ALL), Latin America’s largest railroad and logistics provider, serving as CEO and a member of the board of directors from 2005-2010. He remains a partner at 3G Capital.
personal:
Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Catholic University in Rio de Janeiro, MBA from the University of Warwick in England, OPM degree from Harvard Business School
twitter: @KraftHeinzCo
34. DAVID HERNANDEZ: CEO AND CO-FOUNDER OF LIBERTY POWER
Cuban immigrant David Hernández is the visionary Founder/CEO of Liberty Power, the largest independent retail electricity supplier in the United States. Since Hernández co-founded the company in 2001 it has become one of the ten largest Hispanic-owned companies in the country, serving nearly 200,000 business and residential accounts across the electric retailer’s national footprint. To bring the next generation into the ‘grid’ he created the Liberty Power Bright Horizons Scholarship in alliance with US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to provide 100K in STEM college scholarships over a five-year span.
personal:
Cuban
B.S. in Accounting from Palm Beach Atlantic University, M.B.A. from New York University Leonard N. Stern School of Business
twitter: @libertypower
35. CYNTHIA HUDSON: SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER OF CNN EN ESPAÑOL AND HISPANIC STRATEGY FOR CNN/U
Cynthia Hudson has one of the broadest curriculums in the industry of communications. Her expertise and ability to lead has put top-leading media business in the forefront. She currently is senior vice president and general manager of CNN en Español and Hispanic strategy for CNN/U.S. Hudson launched CNNEspañol.com and expanded the radio business to include over 150 new affiliates in the U.S. and another 100 markets in Latin America and Europe. Under Hudson, CNN en Español has won two Emmys, three GLAAD Awards, two Promax-BDA awards, as well as an honorable mention at the Shortly Awards for Best Multi-Platform Campaign for Social Coverage of 2014 Venezuelan Crisis.
personal:
Cuban-American
Born: 1964 in Los Angeles, CA
Master's degree in Communications from the University of Miami
twitter: @cynthiacnn
36. ANDRES LOPEZ
As CEO, Andres Lopez’s focus is to enhance the performance of the business to benefit customers, employees, investors and other key stakeholders. Lopez has established himself as a strong and successful leader, serving as chief operating officer during 2015 and playing a leading role on the acquisition of Vitro’s Food and Beverage business in Mexico, the U.S. and Bolivia. He has also served as president of O-I Americas, with a focus on strengthening O-I’s North America operations.
37. MONICA LOZANO: PRESIDENT AND CEO OF COLLEGE FUTURES FOUNDATION
Monica Lozano is one of the most respected Hispanic business leaders in America with a thirty year record of accomplishment leading diversified media organizations. Previoiusly, Lozano served as Chief Executive Officer of ImpreMedia, one of the largest media companies serving Hispanic communities in the United States. She served as chair of the California State Board of Education and the Board of Regents of the University of California, spent 24 years as a trustee of the University of Southern California, and is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences Commission on the Future of Undergraduate Education. She is on the PPIC Advisory Council of the Higher Education Center. In December 2017, she joined College Futures Foundation as President and CEO.
personal:
Mexican-American
Born: July 21, 1956 in Los Angeles, California
Sociology and Political Science at the University of Oregon
Married
twitter: @monica0650
38. DANIEL LUBETZKY: FOUNDER & CEO OF KIND SNACKS
Daniel Lubetzky, founder and CEO of KIND, has a commitment of creating economically sustainable and socially impactful business and has been lauded by BusinessWeek, Time, Fast Company and Entrepreneur. Lubetzky has also been recognized by the World Economic Forum and the Skoll Foundation, and in 2015 President Barack Obama and Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker named him a Presidential Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship. In 2017, Daniel was celebrated as a Common Ground awardee for his accomplishments in conflict resolution, community building and peace building. He also is author of Do the KIND Thing. In 2017, Lubetzky launched a public advocacy organization called Feed the Truth to counteract the food industry's influence on food policy and public health. He pledged $25 million to fund the organization.
personal:
Mexican
Born: 1968 in Mexico City
B.A. in Economics and International Relations from Trinity University, Juris Doctor from Stanford Law School
Married
twitter: @DanielLubetzky
39. JUAN LUCIANO: CHAIRMAN, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF ARCHER DANIELS MIDLAND COMPANY
Juan Luciano joined ADM in 2011 as executive vice president and chief operating officer. He was named president in February 2014, and in January 2015 became the ninth chief executive in ADM’s 112-year history. He became chairman of the board in January 2016. Luciano serves on the boards of directors of Eli Lilly and Company, Wilmar International and Intersect Illinois, a nonprofit economic development organization created by Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner.
personal:
Argentinean
Born: 1962 in Argentina
Industrial Engineer from Buenos Aires Institute of Technology
40. MONICA MARTINEZ: SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS FOR COMERICA BANK
Monica Martinez oversees charitable contributions and Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) budgets in Michigan in addition to all corporate philanthropic giving including day-to-day program management of Comerica’s charitable foundation, sponsorship programs, financial education and supporting non-traditional lending in Michigan. Her responsibilities also include developing and maintaining relationships with key community stakeholders and serving as a spokesperson for the bank. In the capacity of National Hispanic Business Developer, Martinez serves as the liaison for the bank within the Hispanic community, directing Comerica's Hispanic business and community outreach in the bank’s primary markets. In addition, she helps direct the bank’s Hispanic Business Initiative teams and Hispanic Employee Resource groups. She is also accountable for growing business relationships and developing outreach initiatives with emphasis on the bank's expanding markets nationwide.
personal:
Mexican-American
Detroit, Michigan
Bachelor's in International Business and Master's in Interdisciplinary Technology from Eastern Michigan University
41. JOSÉ R. MAS
Jose R. Mas, is Chief Executive Officer of MasTec, Inc. Mr. Mas was appointed CEO of MasTec in 2007 and during his tenure MasTec’s revenues have more than quadrupled and earnings have grown six fold. Since assuming the top executive position at MasTec, Jose has diversified the company into the growing fields of oil and gas pipeline construction, electric transmission line construction, renewable energy, and wireless infrastructure construction while expanding its traditional communications business. He serves on the U.S. Department of Commerce National Advisory Council on Minority Business Enterprises.
42. OSCAR MUÑOZ: PRESIDENT AND CEO OF UNITED AIRLINES
Oscar Munoz is chief executive officer of United Airlines. He brings to this position deep and broad experience in both the transportation industry and large consumer brands. Previously, Oscar served as president and chief operating officer of CSX Corporation, a premier freight transportation company. Additionally, Oscar served in various financial and strategic capacities at some of the world’s most recognized consumer brands, including AT&T, Coca-Cola Enterprises, and PepsiCo. Oscar has served on the board of directors for United Continental Holdings, Inc. since 2010 and served on the board of directors of Continental Airlines, Inc. since 2004.
personal:
Mexican-American
Born: January 1959 in California
B.S. in Business from the University of Southern California, MBA from Pepperdine University
Married
43. ANTONIO NERI: PRESIDENT AND CEO OF HEWLETT PACKARD ENTERPRISE
Antonio Neri is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Hewlett Packard Enterprise, and is responsible for the development and delivery of enterprise technology solutions and services that make Hybrid IT simple and power the Intelligent Edge. Most recently, he served as Executive Vice President and General Manager of HPE’s Enterprise Group. Antonio led the strategy, development and introduction of many breakthrough innovations at HP and HPE, including: HPE Apollo, HPE Superdome X, HPE Synergy, HPE Cloudline, among others.
personal:
Argentinean
Escuela Nacional de Educacion Tecnica en Argentina, Universidad Tecnologica Nacional
twitter: @AntonioNeri_HPE
44. ALEX NOGALES: PRESIDENT AND CEO OF NATIONAL HISPANIC MEDIA COALITION
As head of the National Hispanic Media Coalition, Alex Nogales has been at the forefront of the fight for accurate portrayals of Latinos. He has confronted Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump over his derogatory comments about Mexicans, and Nogales was one of the most prominent and vocal Latino leaders calling for swift action against Trump. Due in no small part to he has now been dumped by NBC, Univision, Macy’s and the Professional Golfers’ Association. Earlier in the year, Nogales and NHMC celebrated the “open internet” rules adopted by the Federal Communications Commission that he believes will pave the way for full Latino participation on the internet.
personal:
Mexican-American
Born: 1943 in Calexico, California
Single
twitter: @alexnogalesNHMC
45. GUILLERMO PERALES: PRESIDENT AND CEO OF SUN HOLDINGS, INC.
Guillermo Perales picked up 84 GNC stores in 2016, betting on the growing hunger for health. Winner of the 2015 Entrepreneur of the Year Award by the International Franchise association, Perales is President and Chief Executive Officer of Sun Holdings, Inc., the company he founded in 1997. With over 450 food locations, Sun Holdings is the largest Latino-owned operator of Quick Service Restaurants in America. Their brands include Arby's, Burger King, Popeye’s, Golden Corral, Cici’s Pizza, and Krispy Kreme. They also have T-Mobile stores. Sun Holdings is ranked as 8th largest Franchise owner in the United States, valued at $555 million.
personal:
Mexican
Born: 1962 in Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico
Instituto Tecnologico de Monterrey (ITESM), M.B.A. from Texas A&M University
Married
twitter: @GuillermoP_SH
46. JORGE PEREZ: CO-FOUNDER OF THE RELATED GROUP, INC.
Billionaire real estate developer Jorge M. Perez has created an empire. He has built his fortune by building and operating low-income multifamily apartments across Miami, then branched off into rental apartments before becoming one of the most prolific high-rise condo builders in the Southern United States. In an interview with Forber, Perez said he onfronted Trump on his immigration ideals and asked him, "When you build your 30-foot wall, which side should I be on?" Perez, a U.S. citizen since 1976, says Trump laughed, and after the Inauguration, Trump asked Perez to help him build it. Perez, who happens to be a democrat, declined.
personal:
Argentine-Cuban-American
Born: October 17, 1949 in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Bachelor's from Long Island University C.W. Post Campus, Master's in Urban Planning from the University of Michigan
Married
twitter: @Related_Group
47. PEDRO PIZARRO: PRESIDENT AND CEO OF EDISON INTERNATIONAL
Pedro Pizarro has been the President and CEO of EIX since October 2016. He has held a wide range of executive positions at the EIX companies since joining EIX in 1999. Prior to his work at the EIX companies, he was a senior engagement manager with McKinsey & Company, providing management consulting services to energy, technology, engineering services, and banking clients.
personal:
Puerto Rican
Bachelor's in Chemistry from Harvard University, Ph.D. in Chemistry from California Institute of Technology
48. CARLOS RODRIGUEZ: PRESIDENT AND CEO OF ADP
Carlos Rodriguez was named President and Chief Executive Officer in November 2011. Carlos has been with ADP since 1999, most recently as President and Chief Operating Officer since May 2011, and previously as President of National Account Services and Employer Services International. He joined ADP through its acquisition of Vincam, where he served initially as CFO for a short period before becoming President of ADP TotalSource. Under his leadership, TotalSource became the fastest growing, as well as the largest, Professional Employer Organization (PEO) in the industry.
personal:
Cuban
B.A. and MBA from Harvard University
49. HORACIO ROZANSKI: PRESIDENT AND CEO OF BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON INC.
Horacio Rozanski is president and chief executive officer of Booz Allen Hamilton Inc. Horacio became CEO on January 1, 2015. He is involved in all aspects of managing Booz Allen’s national and international operations and workforce, leading efforts to set the firm’s business goals and growth strategy, build value for investors, and identify emerging trends that will affect clients. A respected authority and leader in the consulting industry, Horacio has expertise in business strategy, technology and operations, talent and diversity, and the future of consulting. Hispanic Business Magazine named him to its list of the 2012 Most Influential Leaders in the United States.
personal:
Argentinean
Born: 1969 in Argentina
B.B.A. from University of Wisconsin Eau Claire, MBA from the University of Chicago
50. ROBERT SANCHEZ: CHAIRMAN AND CEO OF RYDER SYSTEM, INC.
Robert E. Sanchez is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ryder System, Inc. He was named Chief Executive Officer in January 2013 and Chairman of the Board in May 2013. Over the course of two decades at Ryder, Mr. Sanchez has held many senior executive leadership positions including President and Chief Operating Officer, Executive VP and Chief Financial Officer, President of Fleet Management Solutions (FMS), Senior VP and Chief Information Officer, Senior VP of Transportation Management within Supply Chain Solutions (SCS) and VP Asset Management. Mr. Sanchez is on the Board of Directors of Texas Instruments and a member of the board’s governance and stockholder relations committee.
personal:
Cuban
B.S. in Electrical Engineering from University of Miami, MBA with concentration in Finance and Strategic Management from The Wharton School at University of Pennsylvania