Philanthropic Foundation Board of Governors

Ingrid Otero-Smart

President/CEO
Casanova Pendrill

Ingrid Otero-Smart, president and CEO of Casanova Pendrill, joined the Cal State Fullerton Philanthropic Foundation Board of Governors in 2015. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, she has more than 25 years of advertising experience.

At Casanova Peril, McCann Worldgroup's U.S. Hispanic agency, she leads the agency's operations, based in Costa Mesa and New York, and is responsible for Casanova's portfolio of brands, including the U.S. Army, General Mills, Miller Lite, Nestlé USA, Chevrolet, California Lottery, Denny's and Janssen, among others. she also is a principal of McCann Worldgroup's multicultural agency, Casanova Unlimited.

Ms. Otero-Smart began her advertising career with McCann in Puerto Rico, then joined Mendoza Dillon & Associados in California in 1987, rising from account director to president/COO. In 2005, she became president of Anita Santiago Advertising, and moved to Casanova Peril as president in 2008.

Over the years Ms. Otero-Smart has led Hispanic communications for brands spanning packaged goods, beverages, financial, automotive, pharmaceuticals, retail, technology and telecommunications. Her industry commitments include serving as a member of the Board of Directors of the Association of Hispanic Advertising Agencies, an organization of which she is a founding member and formerly served as president.

She has been named to Hispanic Business Magazine's Top 100 Most Influential Hispanics list and named their Hispanic Ad Executive of the Year. She also is a member of the advisory board for CSUF's College of Communications.