The Latin Recording Academy® proudly announced that Ana Rosa Santiago, Senior Vice President of Latin Music for Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) in the U.S. and Latin America, has been named one of the esteemed honorees for the Leading Ladies of Entertainment 2024. This program was created eight years ago to recognize professional and socially conscious women in the arts and entertainment sector, who have made significant contributions and are an inspiration to the next generation of women in music.
“It’s truly humbling to be selected as part of 2024’s Leading Ladies class. I'm honored to be among such incredible and talented women who are making a difference in the music industry and are passionate about mentoring a new generation of women to lead the way in music,” expressed Ana Rosa Santiago.
About the recognition, Alexandra Lioutokoff, President of Universal Music Publishing U.S. Latin & Latin America, said, “I’ve known Ana Rosa for over 25 years, and she’s been both a valuable resource and trusted friend. Ana Rosa’s great relationships with writers and artists have fueled the growth of UMPG Miami. She hears the music before we do, and her leadership has helped us to grow as a creative company.”
With a proven track record spanning over two decades, Ana Rosa has become a leading Executive figure in Latin Music. She has a keen understanding of songwriters and the music publishing industry and is powered by her tireless passion and determination to grow the Latin songwriting community across the global music ecosystem.
In tandem with Santiago’s recognition, Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) Mexican singer-songwriter Vivir Quintana was also recognized as part of this year’s Leading Ladies class. Vivir Quintana is a gifted songwriter who passionately advocates for women's rights and is a dedicated activist against gender-based violence. In 2024, Quintana’s song “Compañera Presidenta” ("Madam President"), was included in Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the “Greatest Songs of 2024” due to its direct and forceful message directed to the elected president of Mexico.
With UMPG recognized as the leading Latin music publisher, Ana Rosa Santiago is instrumental to the company's creative strategy, execution and success. She is the Senior Vice President of Latin Music for Universal Music Publishing Group in the US and Latin America. In her role, she heads the areas of A&R and Synch, signing and developing talent and creating cross-border opportunities for UMPG songwriters. She also promotes and monetizes UMPG’s extensive Latin American catalog. Among the writers and artists she has signed to UMPG are Feid, Ivan Cornejo, the award-winning music publisher RIMAS Publishing, Yahritza y Su Esencia, Rvssian, Romeo Santos, Young Martino (who produced 2018’s global viral hit “Te Boté”), Icon Music (Jowan and Rolo), Wain, Alvaro Díaz, Khea, Yann-C, Chalko, Andry Kiddos, Cauty, Calacote, Cimafunk, producers Bifi, Brasa, Eydren, Nekxum, Sinfónico, powerhouse This Is M, which includes Xavi, Spreadlof, and Mazzarri, among others; the estate of Jenni Rivera and Latin Grammy award-winning producer Linda Briceño. Among her artist roster, she also works with J Balvin and Sebastian Yatra, among others.
With over 25 years of experience in the music industry, Santiago is an active member of LARAS and NARAS Florida’s Chapter and currently serves on NARAS Florida Chapter’s membership committee. She is part of the board for She Is The Music and also serves as assistant vice chair of events for the Miami chapter of non-profit organization Women In Music.
Prior to UMPG, Santiago worked at ASCAP for nearly two decades overseeing the not-for-profit performance-rights organization (PRO) operations in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. She became an essential part of the development of the songwriter community and expanded the PRO’s talent roster, opening the doors in the music industry to songwriters from the U.S., Caribbean and Latin America countries. She pioneered some of the first songwriting camps in ASCAP, creating valuable networking opportunities while educating songwriters about their career prospects and helping them thrive in the industry. During this time, she signed globally famed artists and songwriters such as Daddy Yankee, Farruko, Luis Fonsi, Chris Jeday, Anuel AA, Kany Garcia, Pedro Capó, Sky and Bull Nene, among many others.
With two honorees among 2024’s Leading Ladies of Entertainment class, the achievement of having two of UMPG’s family members be included in such a prestigious industry announcement attests to the collective dedication and passion of Universal Music Publishing Group’s work in the music industry and its impact on a global level.
The Leading Ladies of Entertainment annual event not only recognizes and highlights female leaders, but also creates opportunities for the next generation of women in the entertainment industry, creating scholarships through its philanthropic entity, the Latin GRAMMY® Cultural Foundation.
