Erika Ender is a leading lady…
The Latin Recording Academy will honor the accomplishments of women working in the Latin music industry, including the 42-year-old Panamanian and Brazilian singer, songwriter and actress, with a ceremony recognizing “The Leading Ladies of Entertainment.”
Considered one of the most prolific composers in the Latin music market today, Ender is the woman behind Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee’s global hit “Despacito,” having co-written the song with the Puerto Rican superstars.
Last month, Ender was inducted into the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Billboard’s Leila Cobo, Executive Director of Content and Programming for Latin Music and Entertainment, will also be honored during the inaugural event, which will take place on Tuesday (November 14) at Mastro’s Ocean Club in Las Vegas.
Recording engineer Marcella Araica, Rebeca Leon, CEO and Founder of Lionfish Entertainment; Gabriela Martinez, General Manager Warner Music Latina and SVP Marketing Warner Music Latin America; and Univision’s Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Jessica Rodriguez will also be honored as 2017’s “Leading Ladies.”
The new Latin Grammy week event will precede the 18th annual awards, which will be broadcast live on Univision from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday (November 16).
“It is my pleasure to welcome this new event to Latin Grammy Week, where we will have another opportunity to celebrate talented and inspiring individuals,” said Gabriel Abaroa Jr., Latin Recording Academy President/CEO, said in a statement. “Women face a myriad of difficulties in the entertainment industry, but despite those obstacles, the women we are honoring have continually demonstrated perseverance, fortitude, and grace under pressure.”
Davina Aryeh, Chief Marketing Officer of The Latin Recording Academy, pointed out that the gender gap in the music industry “is more pronounced for Latinas.”
“We want to empower and inspire women,” she added. “Not only through the symbolic importance of the event…but also through the tangible financial contribution it will have as we donate proceeds back to our Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation in the form of scholarships for young women interested in studying music.”