Americas Society Honors Azagra of Iberdrola, Díaz-Granados of CAF, and Soberón of OCESA

New York, June 9, 2026 —Americas Society awarded the Gold Medal to Pedro Azagra, CEO of Iberdrola, Sergio Díaz-Granados, executive president of CAF - Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, and Alejandro Soberón, founder and executive chairman of Grupo CIE, as well as founder and chief executive officer of OCESA. 

They received the recognition at Americas Society's 2026 Spring Party, held on Tuesday June 9 at Cipriani 25 Broadway in New York City. Azagra, Díaz-Granados and Soberón were awarded for their leadership and efforts in promoting growth and long-term prosperity throughout the Americas. 

"In choosing our 2026 gold medalists we looked for individuals that are willing to push beyond the expected to make their countries and the hemisphere a better place. True leaders who understand how to imagine and execute a positive agenda for growth and development," said Americas Society/Council of the Americas (AS/COA) President and CEO Susan Segal. "They are thinkers but are also committed to driving change and making a difference. They also understand the essence and impact of philanthropy and of course, strongly believe in democratic principles. In that spirit, we are proud to honor three extraordinary individuals this evening."

Azagra was honored for his personal and professional commitment to the progress of the Hispanic community and for his leadership in driving the energy transition in Latin America, especially in Brazil, where Iberdrola has played a decisive role in expanding access to clean energy and investing in modern infrastructure.

"I am deeply honored to receive the Americas Society Gold Medal," said Azagra. "This recognition is a reflection of the talent, commitment, and vision of our teams, whose work in energy production and transmission is driving economic and sustainable growth across the Americas. It is also a tribute to the broader Hispanic community, whose dedication and hard work are helping to build stronger connections and lasting partnerships across the continent, creating the networks that empower our companies to face global challenges."

Díaz-Granados was awarded for advancing a transformative agenda that places regional integration, sustainability, and social cohesion at the center of economic progress.

"CAF was born as a commitment to integration," said Díaz-Granados. "To integrate is to understand that the Americas are stronger when they recognize themselves as part of a shared history and a shared opportunity. Today, this mission of integration is more relevant than ever."

Soberón received the Gold Medal for his visionary leadership in building a world-class live entertainment ecosystem, positioning Mexico on the global stage, and fostering cultural connection and economic opportunity.

“Live entertainment is one of the most dynamic and transformative industries in the world today. Music and live events do more than create memorable moments: they generate jobs, drive tourism, stimulate economic activity, and foster social development, while uniquely bringing people together and showcasing the very best of our countries," said Soberón. "Mexico has earned a leading position in this industry, and I am convinced that creativity and culture will play an increasingly decisive role in the prosperity of our societies and the competitiveness of our cities.”

Previous recipients of the Gold Medal, first presented in 1977, include: David Rockefeller (United States), Jamie Dimon (United States), Luis Almagro (Uruguay), Fernando Henrique Cardoso (Brazil), Oscar de la Renta (Dominican Republic), Gina Díez Barroso (Mexico), Laurence Fink (United States), Albert Bourla (United States), Agustín Coppel Luken (Mexico), Carlos Rodríguez-Pastor (Peru), David Vélez (Colombia), and María Corina Machado (Venezuela).

Americas Society’s 2026 Spring Party was made possible with leading support from Banamex, Glenfarne Group, EnfraGen & Glenfarne Alaska LNG, and Sudameris. The event also benefited from generous support from AES, Avangrid, CAF - Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, Corporación América Airports S.A., Edenor, and Pan American Energy Group (PAEG), and from significant contributions by Bank of America, BlackRock, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, Mr. and Mrs. J. Pepe and Emilia Fanjul, Grupo Coppel, HSBC, MetLife, and Scotiabank.

About the honorees:

Pedro Azagra was appointed chief executive officer of Iberdrola in June 2025. He is also a member of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee. He joined the organization as strategy director in 1997. He later moved to London, where he served as managing director of development until 2022, being responsible for the Iberdrola Group’s M&A operations and leading its international expansion. In June 2022, he was appointed chief executive officer of the subholding company Avangrid, Inc., which was listed on the New York Stock Exchange until December 2024, a position he held until June 2025. Previously, he had already overseen the Iberdrola Group’s businesses in the United States, as well as served as a board member of several listed companies, such as Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, S.A., and Neoenergia, S.A. Before joining the Iberdrola team, Azagra worked in the Investment Banking division of Morgan Stanley in London and Madrid. He currently combines his role as CEO of Iberdrola with serving as a member of the Board of Directors of the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) and the Board of Directors of Yale New Haven Hospital in Connecticut. He is also part of the Board of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC). Azagra holds degrees in business administration and management and in law from Comillas Pontificial University – ICADE (Madrid) and has an MBA from the University of Chicago (Graduate School of Business). 

Sergio Díaz-Granados is the executive president of CAF - Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribeean. He is a lawyer from the Externado University of Colombia with postgraduate studies in public management for social development from INAP (Spain) and higher studies in constitutional law from the University of Salamanca (Spain). His extensive career includes roles such as minister of commerce, industry, and tourism of Colombia, vice minister of business development, and president of the Boards of Directors of Bancoldex and ProColombia. He also served as executive director for Colombia and Peru at the IDB Group from 2015 to 2021. 

Alejandro Soberón Kuri is the founder and executive chairman of Grupo CIE (Corporación Interamericana de Entretenimiento), as well as the founder and CEO of OCESA, the leading live entertainment company in Mexico and Latin America. Since founding Grupo CIE in 1990, he has led the consolidation of one of the most relevant out-of-home entertainment platforms in Latin America. The company has been publicly traded on the Mexican Stock Exchange since 1995. Under his leadership, Grupo CIE has driven globally emblematic projects, most notably the promotion and operation of the Formula 1 Mexico City Grand Prix since 2015. OCESA has established itself as the third largest live entertainment promoter in the world and, since December 2021, has been part of a strategic joint venture between Grupo CIE and Live Nation Entertainment. Soberón serves on the Boards of Directors of América Móvil, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Banco Nacional de México (Banamex). He has also participated in Banamex’s Audit Committee and previously served on the Boards of Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste (ASUR) and Teléfonos de México (Telmex). Alejandro collaborates with organizations such as Carlos Slim Foundation, Coca-Cola Foundation, IMSS Foundation, National Tourism Business Council, Mexico City Development Council, National Institute of Medical Sciences and Nutrition “Salvador Zubirán," and OCESA Foundation. He also chairs the Board of the Foundation for the Preservation of Indigenous Heritage and participates in environmental initiatives such as the Chapultepec Forest Trust. 

Press contact: mediarelations@as-coa.org