Philanthropic Foundation Board of Governors

Ingrid Otero-Smart

President & CEO
Casanova/McCann

Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Ingrid Otero-Smart has amassed over 40 years of experience in the U.S. Hispanic Market and Puerto Rico. She joined Casanova Pendrill in 2008 as President/CEO, leading the agency through a rebranding to Casanova//McCann in 2016 and acquiring a majority stake in 2020, making it a minority and female-owned agency. Under her leadership, Casanova//McCann has gained a stellar creative reputation, being the most awarded Hispanic agency at Cannes three times in the past decade. Ingrid oversees agency operations across offices in Costa Mesa, New York, Detroit, and field teams in Dallas, South Florida, and Chicago, managing accounts for major clients like Nestlé USA, US Army, and Coca-Cola. Her career began at McCann in PR, followed by leadership roles at Mendoza Dillon & Asociados and Anita Santiago Advertising.

Ingrid is deeply involved in industry organizations, serving on the Board of Directors of the Association of Hispanic Advertising Agencies (now HMC) and holding advisory roles at California State University Fullerton (CSUF). She is a founding member of the Latino Communications Institute and currently its Chair. In 2024, she was elected to the OC-UCI Alliance, aiding UC Irvine students in pursuing careers in advertising. Her contributions have been recognized with numerous awards, including Hispanic Ad Executive of the Year, induction into the Hispanic Advertising Hall of Fame, and the Latina Style Entrepreneur of the Year in Los Angeles. Ingrid is a magna cum laude graduate of the University of Puerto Rico and has a son, Jordan, who graduated from CSUF and is pursuing a career in acting.