Chairman of Jamaica’s GraceKennedy Limited among honorees at 18th annual BRAVO Business Awards in Miami
18th annual event to honor government, business and social leaders for their outstanding contributions to Latin America and the Caribbean.
MIAMI — Latin Trade, the leading business source in Latin America and the Caribbean, announced today the first group of winners to be recognized at its 18th annual BRAVO Business Awards, to be held on October 26 in Miami.
Juan Benavides, CEO of Falabella, will be the recipient of the CEO of the Year award, in acknowledgement for his successful executive leadership of the second largest retail chain in Latin America.
David Bojanini García, CEO of Grupo de Inversiones Suramericana – GRUPO SURA, will be recognized as Financier of the Year for his innovative leadership, including overseeing the largest acquisition ever executed by a Colombian holding company. Andrés Gluski, CEO of AES Corporation, will receive the International CEO of the Year award for his commitment and accomplishments as head of one of the world’s leading power companies. Alejandro Ramírez Magaña, CEO of Cinépolis, will be presented with the Entrepreneurial CEO of the Year award for his exceptional role in leading the largest cinematographic company in Latin America, transforming the corporation into a global film industry powerhouse.
Douglas Orane, non-executive Chairman of GraceKennedy Limited, one of the world’s premier
Caribbean food and drink companies, will be honored as Social Sustainability Leader of the Year for his groundbreaking social and business efforts in Jamaica and abroad.
“Year after year, the BRAVO Business Awards has recognized remarkable international business and government leaders, and we’re honored to announce the corporate winners of this year’s event,” said Latin Trade Executive Director, Rosemary Winters. “Our honorees’ leadership and commitment to advancing areas in government, business and civic society have had a profound impact in the progress of the region.”
The Latin Trade BRAVO Business Awards will celebrate 18 years honoring the accomplishments of government, business and social leaders.
Recipients are selected by a group of judges from a pool of candidates nominated by Latin Trade magazine readers and third parties. The magazine’s editorial team consults with leading international experts and select BRAVO Council Ambassadors to select honorees who will be recognized in a black-tie gala at the Four Seasons Hotel in Miami, and featured in the September/October issue of Latin Trade.
Preceding the BRAVO Business Awards, the Latin Trade Symposium, the leading panregional conference for the public and private sectors, will focus on showcasing the leaders and the companies that have been key to building a more prosperous Latin America.
The event is organized in partnership with the Inter-American Development Bank and the Americas Society/Council of the Americas. The Latin Trade Symposium is attended by a select group of business, humanitarian and government leaders of the Americas.
In September, Latin Trade will announce the additional group of recipients who will be
honored at this year’s 18th BRAVO Business Awards.
Partial list of Winners:
CEO of the Year- Juan Benavides – Falabella
Falabella is considered one of Chile’s largest companies and the second largest retail
operator in Latin America. Under Benavides’ leadership, Falabella has grown
exponentially in the region, expanding beyond its flagship Falabella department stores,
adding Mall Plaza shopping centers, Tottus supermarkets, Banco de Falabella banks,
and Sodimac home improvement centers.
Financier of the Year- David Bojanini García – Grupo de Inversiones Suramericana,
GRUPO SURA
Following the acquisition of Dutch group ING’s Latin American pension and insurance
portfolio, Bojanini García successfully positioned GRUPO SURA as one of the leading
providers of financial services in the region. He is also responsible for the largest
acquisition of a foreign company ever executed by a Colombian business.
International CEO of the Year- Andrés Gluski – AES Corporation
While at the helm of one of the world’s leading power companies, Gluski’s leadership has encompassed an extensive international perspective. His vast international experience has allowed him to transcend national and regional boundaries to continuously raise the bar for excellence in the industry.
Entrepreneurial CEO of the Year – Alejandro Ramírez Magaña – CEO of Cinépolis Ramírez Magaña leads Cinépolis, the largest film exhibition company in Latin America and the fourth largest globally. Under his direction, the organization has expanded into international markets, making Cinépolis the film industry leader across more than 10 countries around the world. Additionally, Ramírez Magaña is President of the Cinépolis Foundation, which aims at providing support to underprivileged sectors in Latin America. His innovative work in social responsibility has also led to his participation in organizations such as Mexicanos Primero and The World Economic Forum, where hebecame the first Latin American entrepreneur to serve as co-chair.
Douglas Orane
Social Sustainability Leader of the Year- Douglas Orane – GraceKennedy Limited Orane is the first Jamaican national to be recognized as a BRAVO Business Awards winner. As non-executive Chairman of GraceKennedy Limited, one of the world’s premier Caribbean food and drink companies, Orane concentrated his efforts in establishing the company’s operations, positioning GraceKennedy Limited as a model of ethical and social sustainability.
