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 theme, Legacy in Motion, marks HPRA’s return to Los Angeles, where the organization was founded in 1984, and emphasizes converting professional achievement into durable opportunities for future generations.
For HPRA, the recognition carries added weight because Hernandez-Medina has been more than a decorated agency leader. He has been a consistent benefactor of the organization’s National Scholarship Program at a time when funding for emerging talent has grown harder to secure. His support has strengthened the program, and his readiness to champion HPRA’s mission reflects a commitment that extends beyond professional accolades. He has also helped shape HPRA event programming, including leading his H+M Communications team in developing a thought leadership event on the new influence playbook that set a strong tone for HPRA in the Los Angeles market.
“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,” said HPRA National President Sonia V. Diaz. “Etienne is someone who shows up.” Diaz added that Hernandez-Medina has never waited for an invitation to help the organization forge its path forward, and that his generosity and one-on-one counseling of young professionals are precisely why he is being recognized as DEI Champion.
Hernandez-Medina’s personal history informs his professional mission. Born in Cuba, he arrived in the United States during the 1980 Mariel boatlift, an experience that shaped his understanding of identity, belonging, and the power of representation. He studied political science and communications at the University of Miami, where he was a collegiate debate All-American. Before founding H+M Communications in 2004, he held senior roles at Ketchum, Golin, Edelman, and Weber Shandwick, and served as Executive Vice President of Publicity and Corporate Communications at Universal Pictures.
Under his leadership, H+M has grown 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. H+M has earned HPRA’s ¡BRAVO! Agency of the Year award four times, and in 2026 Hernandez-Medina was also recognized as an Industry Legend by the Diversity Action Alliance.
Hernandez-Medina has long championed cultural intelligence as a business imperative, pushing brands and agencies beyond narrow definitions of multicultural marketing to recognize the complex identities and influences shaping today’s consumers. That philosophy also drives his commitment to developing talent and strengthening industry institutions. HPRA’s National Scholarship Program provides financial assistance, mentorship, and professional development, and six scholarship recipients will be recognized at this year’s awards. 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 via NOTICIAS NEWSWIRE.
