Jorge Plasencia, the notable Latino executive, entrepreneur and civic leader, has joined the Board of Directors for PBS.

Plasencia is the co-founder, chairman and CEO of Republica Havas. Founded in 2006, it is now one of America’s leading and fastest-growing creative, media and communications agencies. 

Prior to his work with the agency he helped launch, Plasencia served as Vice President and Operating Manager at Univision Radio, helping lead the integration and cross-platform strategies of Univision’s television, audio and digital properties. He had previously served as Vice President of Marketing, Communications and Public Affairs for the firm. 

Before joining Univision, Plasencia was Vice President at Estefan Enterprises, Inc., where he oversaw marketing, strategy and communications and served in management and business affairs for major recording artists, such as Gloria Estefan and Shakira. 

This new Board role with PBS marks just the latest for Plasencia, as he is already an active board member with the Friends of the National Museum of the American Latino and the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts. He is also the former board chair of UnidosUS, the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organizations in the nation. 

Plasencia has been a civic leader throughout the entirety of his adult life.

In 1991 at just 17, he co-founded Amigos For Kids, a Miami-based nonprofit working to prevent child abuse and serving under-resources children and families. In the three decades since its launch, Plasencia has helped nurture the organization to national prominence, helping earn him the March of Dimes Humanitarian of the Year Award, among other honors. 

Plasencia is also a trailblazer within the professional sports arena. In 1996, he became MLB’s first Director of Hispanic Marketing for the Florida Marlins. The following year, he was named Hispanic Marketer of the Year Award by the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, the same year the Marlins won the World Series for the first time in the team’s history. 

He has also been named one of the most influential U.S. Hispanics by PODER magazine, one of the most influential Floridians by Florida Trend magazine; is a recipient of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, was named CEO of the Year by the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce and Ultimate CEO by the South Florida Business Journal. 

Plasencia is the latest Latino to join the PBS Board of Directors. Just over a week ago, Mark Contreras, President & CEO of Connecticut Public and consummate local journalism advocate, joined the PBS Board.

The PBS Board is composed of 27 members — 14 Professional Directors, 12 General Directors, and the PBS President.