6 pm Cocktail Reception
7 pm Dinner & Awards
9 pm Music & Dancing
Festive Cocktail Attire
This year’s signature Awards Gala — Americas the Beautiful — features Michelin-star curated cuisine by chef Enrique Limardo, handcrafted cocktail pairings from Casa Lumbre, live music, Latin dancing, and more at The Salamander Hotel in support of The OA Artist Fellowship Fund, creating pathways for rising creative leaders across the Western Hemisphere and beyond to build world-class careers that impact lives.
Named for the iconic award statue of ascending steps designed by renowned Spanish sculptor Juan Garaizabal, The Gateway to Greatness Awards are presented each year to distinguished leaders whose contributions to humanity embody the values of the timeless Hero’s Journey.
American businesswoman
Sheila C. Johnson is an entrepreneur and philanthropist whose accomplishments span the arenas of hospitality, sports, TV/film, the arts and humanitarian causes. Ms. Johnson is known as a TV pioneer, having been a founding partner of Black Entertainment Television (BET).
Luxury Business Leader
Coralie Charriol is a Swiss designer and business leader, serving as CEO, Chairwoman, and Creative Director of Charriol, the watch and jewelry house founded by her father, Philippe Charriol. She leads the brand’s global strategy and creative direction, blending Swiss craftsmanship with modern elegance.
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
María Corina Machado is a Venezuelan politician and activist. She co-founded citizen rights groups focused on election transparency, served in the National Assembly, and leads the opposition party Vente Venezuela. Machado was awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts promoting democratic rights and a peaceful transition to democracy in her country amid severe political repression.
H.E. Ambassador Jorge Argüello 
Argentina
H.E. Ambassador Khazar Ibrahim 
Azerbaijan
H.E. Ambassador Lynn Young 
Belize (OAS)
H.E. Ambassador Hugh Adsett 
Canada (OAS)
H. E. Amb. Luis Gilberto Murillo 
Colombia
H.E. Amb. Sonia Guzmán 
Dominican Republic
H.E. Ambassador Ivonne Baki 
Ecuador
H.E. Amb. Alexandra Papadapolou 
Greece
H.E. Ambassador Alfonso Quiñónez 
Guatemala
H.E. Amb. Rita Claverie Guatemala (OAS)
H.E. Amb. Carlos Quesada 
Honduras (OAS)
H.E. Amb. Yerzhan Ashikbayev 
Kazakhstan
H.E. Ambassador Audrey Marks 
Jamaica
H.E. Ambassador Māris Selga 
Latvia
H.E. Ambassador Esteban Moctezuma 
Mexico
Minister Plenipotentiary Darja Ferlež 
Slovenia
H.E. Amb. R. Martinez de la Guardia 
Panama
H.E. Ambassador Jaime Alemán Panama
H.E. Ambassador Pilar Arosemena Panama
H.E. Ambassador Marek Magierowski 
Poland
H.E. Ambassador John Feeley 
United States
H.E. Amb. William H. Courtney United States
U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell Michigan
H.E. Ambassador Andrés Durán 
Uruguay
DIAMOND MEMBER
Ochoa-Brillembourg
Foundation
Cecilia & Guillermo Schultz
GOLD MEMBER
Clara Brillembourg & George
Chopivsky
Alexa Chopivsky & Christopher
Fetzer
Gabriela Febres-Cordero
Grace Koh & Christopher
Walker
Tony Masso
Maria Benilde & Nelson Ortiz
Suzanne Siskel
Meridel & Michael Vu
PLATINUM MEMBER
Carol Grefenstette Bates & David Bates
Barbara Herrera de Garza
GOLD MEMBER
Grace Bender
Maria Elena Carrion
Lizette Corro
Concepcion & Bernd Debusmann
Jennifer Feldman & Arturo
Brillembourg
Monica & Leonardo Lawson
Constanza & Jorge Montoya
Diana Orea
Jose Soli
BRONZE MEMBER
John Akridge
Elisabeth Brillembourg
Laryssa & Bill Courtney
Sabine Curto
Tony Custer
Caroline Dalton & Mark Gillespie
Isabel & Ricardo Ernst
Martha Garcia
Veronica Lopez
Mariana Martinez & Antonio Ortiz
Alexandra Migoya
Susana & Moises Naim
Bridget Nikodem
Pilar Frank O’Leary
Karin Schultz
David Simnick
Ursula & BuzzTenny
John & Lily Waterston
A Mano | Luxury Gifts
Arcay Chocolates
Arrae | Fine Objects
The Baazar by José Andrés
Bluepoint Hospitality Group
Casa Lumbre Spirits
Antonio Felipe Custer
The Embassy of Guatemala
Kathy & Steve Guttman
Tata Harper
Imperfecto | DC
Leonor Gonzalez-Luft
JoAnn Mason
Maria Benilde & Nelson Ortiz
[Re]Focus Portrait Studio
Santa Teresa 1796 Rum
Seven Reasons Group
SHA Wellness Clinic
Shinberg.Levinas Architects
TheSaga DC
Total Wines & More
Robert Wennett & Mario Cader-Frech
Miranda Xafa
Pauline Beck
Hilda Ochoa-Brillembourg
Clara Brillembourg
Lizette Corro
Isabel de la Cruz Ernst
Gabriela Febres-Cordero
Kimball Fontein
Teri Galvez
Nadja Guiffrida
Jennifer Gillece & Jonathan Nobil
Carol Grefenstette Bates
Veronica Lopez
Maria Benilde & Nelson Ortiz
Cecilia Schultz
Ezequiel Vázquez-Ger
William Akridge
Nicole Arellano & Andres
Brillembourg
Ciera & Trevor Ashley
Philip Bates
Ian Bates & Kimball Fontein
Jennifer & Arturo Brillembourg
Tony Cammarota
Alexa Chopivsky
Clara & George Chopivsky
Maya & Andres Faucher
Schuyler & Danny Gavula
Jennifer Gillece & Jonathan
Nobil
Juan Pio Hernandez
Maria de la Guardia & Ernesto
Lewis
Juan Robalino
Meredith & Chris Schaller
Carrie Bean Stute
Emily & Ryan Sullivan
Nickolai Talanin MD
Global Fashion Icon
Founder & Creative Director
The US Supreme Court
Associate Justice
Grammy-winning violinist
Avery Fisher Career Prize
President InterAmerican Development Bank
Secretary General
Organization of American States
Global Fashion Icon
Founder & Creative Director
The US Supreme Court
Associate Justice
Grammy-winning violinist
Avery Fisher Career Prize
President InterAmerican Development Bank
Secretary General
Organization of American States
Global Humanitarian Chef
James Beard Prize
ELLE Magazine
Editor-in-Chief
American Jazz icon
Grammy-winning trumpet
CNN Español
Commentator
Special Olympics Chairman Presidential Citizens Medal
TV Azteca
Nightly News Anchor
Featured Artist | Venezuela
Percussion | Colombia
Voice | Venezuela
Harp & Bass | Venezuela
Guitar | Venezuela
Piano | South Korea