Julieta Venegas, Vivir Quintana, Diana Rodríguez and Ana Rosa Santiago Named Latin Recording Academy’s Leading Ladies of Entertainment

Julieta Venegas, Vivir Quintana, Diana Rodríguez and Ana Rosa Santiago have been named Leading Ladies of Entertainment honorees by the Latin Recording Academy. The program, created eight years ago, honors and recognizes professional and “socially conscious women” in the arts and Latin entertainment fields who have made impactful contributions and “inspired future leaders,” per a press release.

Venegas, a singer-songwriter and eight-time Latin Grammy Award winner, is known for hits like “Limón Y Sal,” “Me Voy” and “Lento.” Her collaboration with Tainy and Bad Bunny won the Latin Grammy for best reggaeton performance in 2022, while her album “Tu Historia” won for best pop vocal album a year later.

Quintana, singer-songwriter and social activist for women’s rights in Mexico, is known for her anthemic “Canción Sin Miedo,” also. one of the most translated protest songs in the world. Her music was featured in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” Rodríguez is CEO and founder of Criteria Entertainment, a music management and marketing firm overseeing the careers of Enrique Bunbury, Mon Laferte and Diamante Eléctrico, among others. In her 32-year music career, Rodríguez has held senior positions at Phillips, Polygram, Universal Music, EMI Music, and Capitol Latin, launching the careers of artists like Juanes, Juan Luis Guerra and Francisca Valenzuela.

Lastly, Santiago is senior vice president of Latin Music and LatAm for Universal Music Publishing Group in the U.S. and Latin America. She leads the A&R and sync departments, developing talent and creating global opportunities for UMPG songwriters. She has signed artists such as Ivan Cornejo, Feid, Romeo Santos and Yahritza y Su Esencia. She is a dual member of the Latin Recording Academy and the Recording Academy, serves on the board of She Is The Music, and is the assistant VP of events for the Miami chapter of Women In Music.

The private ceremony will take place with Amazon Music as the presenting sponsor. Baptist Health South Florida and Espolón Tequila will also join as official sponsors of the celebration.

“It is a privilege to present this year’s Leading Ladies of Entertainment honorees, an exceptional group of women who have distinguished themselves through their successful careers as well as for their continued fight for gender equity,” said Manuel Abud, CEO of The Latin Recording Academy. “Our honorees are so much more than a representation of excellence; they are a group that has significantly contributed to the empowerment and growth of other women.”

“Our industry is powered by incredible women, both in front of the mic and behind it, which is why we’re thrilled to team up with Leading Ladies of Entertainment to celebrate this year’s fantastic honorees,” said Rocío Guerrero, head of music for Latin/Iberia, Amazon Music. “Championing female talent at all stages of their career, and celebrating their impact on the success of Latin music globally, is extremely important to us so we can continue to have a thriving music industry. The Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation’s Scholarship Fund is a brilliant way of doing this.”

The Leading Ladies of Entertainment Connect TogetHER Mentorship program has once again partnered with She Is The Music, with this year’s Leading Ladies being invited to become mentors. The program will be led by the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation, and will be sponsored by AARP. Applications for the mentorship program are now open until Nov. 22.