Univision’s María Elena Salinas to Host the Inter-American Dialogue’s Leadership for the Americas Awards Gala

Washington, DC – Univision anchor María Elena Salinas will serve as Master of Ceremonies for the Inter-American Dialogue’s inaugural Leadership for the Americas Awards Gala on November 17, 2015 in Washington, DC. Former Spanish Prime Minister Felipe González and Grupo Vidanta founder Daniel Chávez Morán will receive the Dialogue’s Distinguished Leadership Award. 

Widely recognized as the “voice of Hispanic America,” Salinas is the multi-Emmy Award-winning co-anchor of Univision’s Noticiero Univision (with Jorge Ramos) and Aqui y Ahora. She has been on the front lines of breaking news for more than thirty years, covering elections, insurgencies, and natural disasters around the world. Salinas’ reputation as a serious, objective, and trustworthy journalist has earned her interviews with every US president since Jimmy Carter as well as Latin American heads of state, influential news makers, and prominent media personalities. 

An iconic presence in Hispanic media with an international following of millions of viewers, Salinas has used her visibility to advocate for and empower the Latino community. Her most recent prime-time special, “Entre el abandono y el rechazo,” explored the dramatic exodus of Central American children to the US and received numerous prestigious journalistic accolades, including a Peabody Award, a Walter Cronkite Award, and a Gracie Award. 

The Leadership for the Americas Awards Gala recognizes the tireless and steadfast public service of the hemisphere’s most influential change agents. This year, the Dialogue will honor Felipe González for his commitment to democracy and Daniel Chávez Morán for his civic engagement. González served as Prime Minister of Spain from 1982 to 1996. His government presided over an era of unprecedented economic growth; the modernization of Spain’s education, healthcare, and social security systems; and the country’s successful integration into the European Union. A leading visionary in Mexico’s tourism and hospitality industry, Chávez Morán founded Grupo Vidanta in 1974. Under his guidance, the company grew to become one of Latin America’s most respected employers and socially responsible firms.

Click here for more information on sponsorship and ticket opportunities. For inquiries regarding sponsorship or ticket opportunities, contact gala@thedialogue.org or +1-202-463-2563.

For press inquiries, contact press@thedialogue.org or +1-202-463-2931.

About the Inter-American Dialogue

The Inter-American Dialogue engages its network of global leaders to foster democratic governance, prosperity, and social equity in Latin America and the Caribbean. Together, we shape policy debate, generate ideas, devise solutions, and enhance collaboration within the Western Hemisphere. 

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