Univision Unveils New Senior Leadership Team

Univision Monday announced changes to the executive leadership team that will accelerate its leadership position and drive Univision’s transformation for the future. The appointments, which are all effective immediately, include:

• Pierluigi Gazzolo, appointed to the newly created role of President of Univision Communications Inc. and Chief Transformation Officer to drive the next era of growth
• Luis Silberwasser, appointed to the newly created role of President of the Univision Television Networks Group to lead Univision’s national TV properties
• Donna Speciale, named President of Advertising Sales and Marketing, to drive innovative expansion of Univision’s offering for advertisers
• Friday Abernethy, promoted to Executive Vice President of Content Distribution and Partnerships
• Adam Shippee, promoted to the newly created role of Executive Vice President, Corporate Development, Strategy and Transformation
• Amy Tenbrink, promoted to EVP & Associate General Counsel, Revenue/Business Development with expanded responsibilities across the Digital business

“Today begins a transformation for Univision. One that will see us accelerate our position as the leading U.S. Hispanic media company as we launch new products and services that will drive value for our U.S. Hispanic audience and for our advertising and distribution partners, who want to reach and engage with this critical audience,” said Wade Davis, CEO of Univision. 

Wade Davis

“Achieving our objectives will require new ways of working together, diversity of perspectives and in some cases new talent and skillsets. We began the evolution of our team with the appointment of world class leaders to our board of directors to bring together skillsets and diversity that Univision has never had at the board level. Today we are announcing a new, industry leading executive leadership team that exemplifies the traits of innovation, collaboration, inclusivity and accountability that will be central to our transformation. Each of these leaders understand the need to optimize Univision’s core businesses to meet its audience where they are and evolve its content, platforms and products to reach the market in new ways.”

Pierluigi Gazzola

As President of Univision Communications Inc. and Chief Transformation Officer, Pierluigi Gazzolo will lead Univision’s transformation and growth efforts. Gazzolo will be responsible for overseeing the future streaming business and cross-functional collaboration among different business units at Univision and setting the culture to achieve this next era of growth for the company. 

Gazzolo will lead the immediate shift toward a more innovative, entrepreneurial and collaborative Univision business that will be necessary to meet the Company’s strategic long-term objectives. Supporting Gazzolo in these efforts will be Sameer Deen, Chief Digital Officer; Margaret Lazo, Chief Human Resources Officer; Rosemary Mercedes, Chief Communications Officer; and Adam Shippee, in a newly created role of Executive Vice President, Corporate Development, Strategy and Transformation, each of whom will report directly to him.