Rita Ferro, the Cuban-American who runs Disney's advertising, receives the Legacy of Excellence Award in Miami

November 3, 2026

Cuban-American executive Rita Ferro, President of Global Advertising at The Walt Disney Company, received the Legacy of Excellence Award at the second ¡HOLA! Americas Latina Powerhouse 100 Gala, held Monday, November 2, at the Ziff Ballet Opera House of Miami's Adrienne Arsht Center, according to the host magazine and trade outlet TTV News.

Ferro was born and raised in Miami, the daughter of Cuban immigrants who reached the United States shortly before 1959, she told CNBC. A Florida International University graduate, she started in advertising at MTV Latin America and has spent close to three decades at Disney. Since 2023 she has led the company's ad sales worldwide, covering its TV networks, Disney+, Hulu and ESPN.

The gala, themed "The Hispanic Legacy: Inspiring America's Future," drew about 400 guests and was hosted by Dayanara Torres, Andrea Meza and Boris Izaguirre. During the evening, Miami-Dade County proclaimed November 2 as ¡HOLA! Latina Powerhouse Day. Content creator Lele Pons received the Entertainment Vanguard Award.

Cuban music had its moment too: singer Nella paid tribute to Gloria Estefan with "Con los años que me quedan," and Aymée Nuviola closed the night with "Chan Chan," according to ¡HOLA!'s live coverage.