6 pm Cocktail Reception
7 pm Dinner & Awards
9 pm Music & Dancing
Festive Cocktail Attire
This year’s signature Awards Gala, Americas the Beautiful, invites you to an unforgettable evening at The Salamander Hotel, where handcrafted cocktails, live music, and the pulse of Latin dancing come together in celebration of the artists shaping tomorrow. All in support of The OA Artist Fellowship Fund, which opens doors for rising creative leaders across the Western Hemisphere and beyond to build world-class careers that move, inspire, and transform 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 Franco-American 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 craftsmanship with modern elegance.
Business Leader & Philanthropist
Adrienne Arsht is an American business leader and philanthropist whose influence spans finance, the arts, and global public life. A former executive at Stifel Financial Corp., she is renowned for her transformative support of the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami and for advancing global initiatives through the Atlantic Council.
Composer and Filmmaker
Academy Award-winning American filmmaker, composer, and pianist. He has scored projects like Green Book, Bridgerton, and King Richard, blending classical, jazz, and contemporary styles.
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
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. Petra Schneebauer 🇦🇹 Austria
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. Motaz Zahran 🇪🇬 Egypt
H.E. Amb. Alexandra Papadopoulou 
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
H.R.H. Reema bint Bandar Al Saud 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia
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
Akumal Bay
Alexa Chopivsky
Arcay Chocolates
Arrae | Fine Objects
Bluepoint Hospitality Group
Caroline Dalton-Gillespie
Cecilia & Guillermo Schultz
Charriol
Elisabeth Brillembourg
George Chopivsky
Jorge de la Guardia
JoAnn Mason
Kathy Nalywajko
La Mer
LifeHoney
Lizzie Zobel
Maria Benilde & Nelson Ortiz
Ochoa-Brillembourg Foundation
Pilar O’Leary
Robert & Mario Wennett
Seven Reasons Group
SHA Wellness Clinic
Shinberg.Levinas Architects
Silvia Tcherassi
Teri Galvez
The Baazar Meat by José Andrés
The Saga DC
Tony Custer
[Re]Focus Portrait Studio
Carol Grefenstette Bates
Pauline Beck
Clara Brillembourg
Hilda Ochoa-Brillembourg
Lizette Corro
Isabel de la Cruz Ernst
Gabriela Febres-Cordero
Kimball Fontein
Teri Galvez
Jennifer Gillece & Jonathan Nobil
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
Musical Director | Colombia
Voice | Venezuela
Drums | Chile
Bass | Brazil
Guitar | Venezuela
Piano | Colombia
Violin | Cuba & Venezuela
Awards Gala Lead
Event Manager