The Hispanic Public Relations Association (HPRA) has named Etienne Hernandez-Medina, founder and CEO of H+M Communications, as its 2026 ¡BRAVO! DEI Champion of the Year. The award honors a career defined by expanding representation and opportunity within the communications industry, and it will be presented at the 12th annual HPRA ¡BRAVO! Awards on November 19, 2026, at the Los Angeles River Center & Gardens. The timing and location are notable: the event, themed Legacy in Motion, marks HPRA's return to the city where the organization was founded in 1984, reinforcing the idea that professional achievement should translate into lasting opportunities for future generations.
For HPRA, the recognition carries particular weight because Hernandez-Medina has been more than a successful agency leader. He has provided meaningful support to the organization's National Scholarship Program during a period when funding for emerging talent has become increasingly difficult to secure. His generosity has strengthened the program, and his willingness to step forward reflects a commitment to community that extends beyond professional accolades. He has also helped shape HPRA event programming, ensuring members are informed about emerging trends and innovations. Recently, he led an H+M Communications team in creating a thought leadership event on the new influence playbook, setting a strong tone for HPRA in its key Los Angeles market.
HPRA National President Sonia V. Diaz praised Hernandez-Medina's consistent involvement. "There are people who talk about the importance of investing in the next generation, and then there are people who consistently show up to make that investment possible," Diaz said. "Etienne is someone who shows up." She added that his generosity, conviction, leadership and one-on-one time counseling young professionals are precisely why he is being recognized as the DEI Champion. That personal history informs his advocacy. Born in Cuba, Hernandez-Medina arrived in the United States during the 1980 Mariel boatlift, an experience that shaped his understanding of identity, belonging and representation. He studied political science and communications at the University of Miami, where he was a collegiate debate All-American, and held senior roles at Ketchum, Golin, Edelman and Weber Shandwick before serving as Executive Vice President of Publicity and Corporate Communications at Universal Pictures.
Since founding H+M Communications in 2004, Hernandez-Medina has built it into one of the nation's leading independent public relations and integrated communications consultancies, with more than 40 professionals across major U.S. markets and Mexico City. The agency has partnered with brands including Universal Pictures, Warner Bros., Sony Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Prime Video, Comcast Xfinity, Telemundo, GALLO, Pinterest and Apple, and has earned HPRA's ¡BRAVO! Agency of the Year award four times. In 2026, he was also recognized as an Industry Legend by the Diversity Action Alliance. His philosophy challenges brands to move beyond narrow definitions of multicultural marketing and to treat cultural intelligence as a business imperative.
That same philosophy underpins his commitment to developing talent and strengthening industry institutions. HPRA's National Scholarship Program provides financial assistance, mentorship and professional development, and this year six scholarship recipients will be recognized at the awards, where they can connect with established leaders. Hernandez-Medina joins previously announced honorees Snow Tha Product, recipient of the President's Award, and Jesus "Malverde" Gonzalez, Vice President, Creative, Latin at BMI, who will receive the Pioneer of the Year Award. The ¡BRAVO! Awards serve as HPRA's primary scholarship fundraiser, bringing together communications leaders, agencies, brands, media organizations and community advocates. For event information, tickets and sponsorship opportunities, visit https://bravo.hprausa.org/. The announcement was distributed by NOTICIAS NEWSWIRE.
