Billboard’s Leila Cobo Honored by Fashion 4 Development: ‘Together, We Can Make Tangible Change’

Leila Cobo, co-chief content officer for Billboard, was recognized Tuesday (Sept. 22) by Fashion 4 Development for preserving Latin culture through music.

Cobo was part of a group of honorees including Veronica Berti Bocelli, vice chairman and co-founder of the Andrea Bocelli Foundation for Betterment of Humanity; late fashion designer Oscar de la Renta; and media mogul and philanthropist Ted Turner.

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Cobo accepted the honor at F4D’s 14th annual Official First Ladies Luncheon on Tuesday, celebrated during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

“My longtime mission has been to highlight the achievements of Latin-centric artists and creatives, particularly in music, showcase their talents to the world and serve as a bridge between cultures,” Cobo said upon receiving the award at The Pier hotel in New York City, after an introduction from actor and singer Anthony Ramos. “Getting this recognition from Fashion 4 Development, an organization whose core is global development and promoting cross-cultural understanding, makes me immensely proud, and reinforces what I have long known: Together, we can make tangible change.”

Evie Evangelou, founder and president of Fashion 4 Development, said: “Preserving culture has been one of my personal goals throughout my career. It is so important to honor and protect our heritage and identity — not only for our ancestors and ourselves, but for future generations. Leila Cobo embodies this mission beautifully through her work to preserve and celebrate Latin culture through music.”

Co-hosted by Evangelou and Dame Amanda Schumacher — founder and CEO of the Tree of Life Foundation International, chair of the Red Cross Ball and member of the Chairman’s Circle for the Red Cross — the luncheon honored the unprecedented collaboration between diplomacy and fashion.

“Reaching our 14th First Ladies Luncheon is a meaningful milestone and a powerful reminder that fashion is far more than what we wear,” Evangelou stated. “It is a force for culture, opportunity, and global development. What began as an opportunity to bring people together and support the UN Goals has grown into an internationally recognized platform that celebrates shared accomplishments, strengthens connections, and inspires meaningful social change for humanity.”

Schumacher added: “We share a fundamental belief: Meaningful change happens when leaders across cultures, industries, and communities come together with a common purpose. Together, we are creating a world where ideas become connections, connections become collaborations, and collaborations have the potential to create lasting impact for generations to come.”

Among the highlights of the event was a special fashion presentation by Oscar de la Renta, one of this year’s distinguished tribute recipients, whose enduring legacy at the intersection of fashion and philanthropy was celebrated throughout the occasion. The recognition was accepted by Alex Bolen, CEO of Oscar de la Renta.

“Oscar truly believed in the importance of fashion both in bringing people together and drawing out a sense of joy and individuality in the wearer of his designs,” Bolen said of the Dominican-born American fashion designer. “We are honored to celebrate his enduring legacy and grateful to Fashion 4 Development for providing a platform where creativity community, and philanthropy can intersect in such a meaningful way.”

The Humankind Award tribute was in honor of Ted Turner and the Turner Foundation, whose mission is to protect and restore the natural systems. Vasser Seydel, director of the Turner Foundation, president of The Oxygen Project and granddaughter of Turner, accepted the honor on behalf of her grandfather.

“My grandpa adamantly believed that our daily choices matter, from picking up trash on the street to the decisions we make at work and in our lives to create a better world,” she said. “Fashion is one of the world’s most polluting industries, and with that comes both a tremendous opportunity and responsibility to be part of the solution. … We can choose to support the people who make our clothes and the values and working conditions behind what we wear; choose materials that are healthy for our bodies, communities and environment; and use our individual expression to inspire others.”

HRH ambassador Reema Bandar Al-Saud, ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United States of America — the first woman to serve in the role of ambassador in the country’s history — was recognized with the Women’s Empowerment Award. Meanwhile, Sally Ann Ranney, president and co-founder of Global Choices, Arctic Angels, chair of the Conservation Committee of the Explorers Club for Preservation of Environment, and Veronica Berti Bocelli, vice chairman and co-founder of the Andrea Bocelli Foundation for Betterment of Humanity, received UNG Leading Lady Honors Awards.

Fashion 4 Development is a private sector global platform founded by Evie Evangelou in 2011 in cooperation with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon to support the United Nations Millennium Development Goals and “Every Woman, Every Child.” According to a press release, F4D builds upon the core leadership principles of “educate, empower, enhance and enrich,” and activates partnerships that promote the fashion, beauty and lifestyle industries, advance economic and social development activities, preserve culture and empower women.