NATPE Global and the Worldwide Audiovisual Women’s Association (WAWA) are excited to announce that WAWA’s prestigious "Woman of the Year Awards" will move to NATPE Global in 2025. The award will be presented on Thursday, February 5th, at the InterContinental Miami. In addition to the awards ceremony, WAWA will have a prominent pavilion on the NATPE Global market floor from February 5-7, where participating companies will showcase their content, including English-dubbed versions to attract non-Spanish-speaking buyers.
Roxana Rotundo, Chair of the WAWA Board of Directors celebrated WAWA's mission and its respective role in the industry:“NATPE Global provides the perfect backdrop to recognize our Woman of the Year. The Woman of the Year" awards were originally started in Miami in 2017 by Liliam Hernández and Cecilia Gómez de la Torre, and are now returning to their original home. Rotundo also praised last year's event at the inaugural NATPE Global, led by Claire Macdonald, who truly understands WAWA’s mission and role in the industry. The upcoming celebration promises to be a memorable occasion for honoring remarkable women in the audiovisual field," commented.
Claire Macdonald, NATPE’s Executive Director celebrated the inclusion of the event in the agenda:"NATPE is honored that WAWA will crown the Woman of the Year during a special awards presentation," noted. She also emphasized WAWA’s growth and the organization’s drive for collaboration, which has made it a standout partner for NATPE.
Launched in 2017, the "Woman of the Year Award" recognizes individuals who embody leadership, ethics, diversity, and commitment, reflecting WAWA's core values. The awards, previously hosted at MIPCancun, will now return to Miami, their original home. Past recipients of this prestigious award include leaders such as Blanca Ponce, Analida Lopez, Cecilia Galeano, Cynthia Hudson, Giselle Gonzalez, Carmen Larios, Selina Nederhand, and Fidela Navarro.
This move deepens the collaboration between NATPE Global and WAWA, following their successful joint initiatives at the 2024 edition of NATPE Global. One notable project was the Wonder Women Mentorship program, which provided mentorship opportunities to female students from Florida International University’s audiovisual programs. The program, managed by WAWA and directed by Maggie Salas-Amaro Castellon of Canela Kids, gave participants complimentary access to NATPE Global, reinforcing WAWA’s dedication to empowering future female leaders in the industry.