Cynthia Hudson is senior vice president and managing director of CNN en Español and Hispanic strategy for CNN/U.S. Hudson oversees all aspects of CNN’s Spanish-language media businesses, including newsgathering, editorial content, programming, production, operations and personnel, of the CNN en Español 24/7 television news networks, CnnEspañol.com and CNN en Español
Radio.

In first quarter 2019, Hudson inaugurated CNN Radio Argentina, a radio network available in 120 cities and 23 provinces throughout Argentina.  In April, she launched CNN en Español’s multi- platform anti-discrimination campaign called Proyecto Ser Humano (The Humanity Project). The project highlights the stories of those who have encountered discrimination and those who fight for greater inclusion. Hudson partnered with music, television and film producer Emilio Estefan and Grammy award winner Gian Marco to produce The Proyecto Ser Humano official theme song.

Also, in 2019 the Ricardo Palma University of Peru recognized Hudson with the "Human Merit Award for a Cause of Peace", for her antidiscrimination campaign called Proyecto Ser Humano. The same year, Produ.com honored Hudson with the PRODU Golden Awards in recognition of her hard work to strengthen the Spanish-language content in the television industry.
In 2018, Hudson expanded CNN en Español’s TV & digital operations in Argentina and Mexico and expanded the role of Cross platform Content across all platforms to continue the brand’s digital and social growth.  However, she began the evolution of CNN en Español in 2010 when she took over the helm at CNN en Español and launched CNN en Español’s multi-platform business with expanded feeds for Latin America, Mexico and the US Hispanic market, as well as revamping the logo, branding and programming. She changed the channel from a news wheel to a program- based network and added studio production in Miami, expanded production in Mexico, Washington DC and Los Angeles. Hudson added new talent and hit shows such as Café CNN, Conclusiones, CNN Dinero, Camilo, Fuentes Confiables, Nuestro Mundo, En Dialogo con Longobardi, etc. and launched originally produced documentaries, investigative series and live. programming. 

In 2011, Hudson launched CNNEspañol.com and refocused resources to develop CNN en Español’s top Spanish-language News Social Platforms on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc.  In addition, she expanded the radio business to include affiliates in the US Hispanic Market, Latin America and Europe. In 2014, CNN en Español began its cross-platform branded sales strategy which has led to the development of experiential large-scale event coverage including the Summits of the Americas in Cartagena, Panama and Peru, Olympics, S X SW, Viña del Mar and our award-winning electoral coverage in over 30 countries.

CNN en Español has an extensive bilingual staff at various operations hubs including Atlanta, Miami, Washington DC, NY, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Buenos Aires, Jerusalem and Madrid. Under Hudson, CNN en Español has won three National Emmys, three GLAAD Awards, four Promax awards, most recently, she has been recognized with the 2018 PromaxIMPACT Award Awarded  to a cultural influencer for their work and continued IMPACT on multicultural awareness, embracing and engaging diverse audiences within the entertainment marketing industry.

Also, in the most recent “Latin Grammy Week” in Las Vegas, Nevada, The Latin Recording Academy® has distinguished Cynthia Hudson with the 2018 Leading Ladies of Entertainment award. This organization honors and recognizes professional women within the arts and entertainment industries who have made significant and indelible impressions and contributions to their fields.
 
Hudson also has received an honorable mention at the Shorty Awards for Best Multi-Platform Campaign for Social Coverage of the Venezuelan Crisis. She was personally nominated for an International Emmy Award as Executive Producer of the documentary, A Trip with Fidel, which aired in over 35 countries around the world.  In 2016, The National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) recognized Hudson with a Presidential Award for her unwavering commitment to journalism, the pursuit of the truth and
her leadership in journalism.

In 2017 and 2019, Hudson was recognized by Fortune Magazine as one of the 50 Most Powerful Latinas running a leading global company and she was recognized as a top influential minority leader of the communications industry by Cablefax. Hudson has won eight Emmy Awards, has been named as one of People en Español’s most powerful women (2009), as well as one of the most powerful Hispanics in Poder, CableFax, Hispanic Target and other influential publications.  She has been recognized with the Lech Walesa Media Award for her dedication to the cause of democracy (2015). She has been the keynote speaker and a panelist at a plethora of industry- related events including The Festival of Media, NAHJ, Hispanicize, AHAA and Harvard Women in
Business. In 2019, Ms. Hudson has been recognized as one of the 50 Hispanic Floridians that are at the
forefront of the Business Community.

Before joining CNN en Español, Hudson served as chief creative officer and executive vice president for SBS and managing director of Mega TV. There she was responsible for SBS’ expansion, directly overseeing flagship TV network Mega TV, as well as the company’s internet site lamusica.com and other new media development. In addition, she supervised the strategic
expansion of SBS content across multiple media platforms and the development of branded entertainment synergies among all SBS properties including the “radio on TV” formats. Mega TV saw tremendous growth under her watch and garnered the network 27 EMMY awards.

 
From 1997 to 2005, Hudson served as senior vice president and editorial director of    Cosmopolitan Television (a Hearst Entertainment and Syndication Group division), heading up the creation and development of the Cosmopolitan TV Networks, including Canal Cosmopolitan Iberia and Canal Cosmopolitan Latin America as well as the foundation for Cosmo TV Canada.  There she led the research, development and creation of Cosmo TV, overseeing design of original programs, on-air packaging, promotions and program acquisitions, as well as the creation and production of original formats and the overall business strategy for the networks. Hudson also wrote and created the original drama, Miami Sands, Promark’s internationally successful English-language American telenovela.

Prior to Cosmopolitan TV, Hudson was senior vice president of programming and creative services for United International Holding’s joint venture channel service, United Family Communications (UFC), now Cello/AMC networks Latin America. While at UIH she created Casa Club TV, the first pan-regional Home channel for Latin America.

Hudson was the vice president of programming and production for the Telemundo Network from
1992-94. During her tenure, the network’s programming line-up was redesigned, and developed
its first in-house telenovela production unit with successes such as “Tres Destinos,” a prime-time
scripted drama series that debuted in 1994.

From 1984 to 1992, Hudson held various production and executive positions with the Univision Network, including Executive Producer of the first daytime U.S. Hispanic magazine show, “TV Mujer” (“TV Woman”), which garnered Univision its first Emmy Award for ongoing series production.  Hudson started her professional career as a news producer and reporter at Univision affiliate WLTV 23, where she held various positions from reporting to production and management. 
 
Hudson’s community efforts include being a Director on the board of The National Epilepsy Foundation and acting as a Director and now Vice President of the University of Miami Alumni Association. Cynthia is also on the Advisory Council of the Hispanic Society Museum & Library of New York and part of the Board of Directors for the Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Foundation. Born in Los Angeles, she holds both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Communications from the University of Miami and is fluent in English and Spanish and proficient in French.

Speaking on: WAWA Wonder Women Lunch: Reinventing the wheel in times of disruption