Erika Ender has broken all records as a female composer in music history. She is one of the most successful composers in the music industry, as well as one of the most versatile professionals in the entertainment world; simultaneously having an established career as a singer-songwriter, producer, communicator, and philanthropist in her more than 30-year career.
More than 160 CD’s have been released with her songs and more than 40 top singles, including the unprecedented and historical worldwide hit “Despacito”.
She is the youngest person ever inducted into the Latin Songwriter’s Hall of Fame and has received multiple awards and honors such as Latin Grammys, Billboards, ASCAP, Monitor Latino, several Sesac prizes, including the GLOBAL ICON AWARD, Leading Lady of the Latin Recording Academy of Arts & Sciences as well as several Condecorations and recognitions such as the keys to Miami & Panama.
Erika is the only Latina ever nominated to a major category in the Grammys, and the only one with a Spanish #1 song on Billboard´s Top 100.
She is as well, on the list of the most powerful women according to Billboard, Hollywood Reporter, Forbes & People En Español Magazines.
Her versatility includes being an established singer-songwriter and show-woman with top rankings on radio in several countries; a renown television personality & producer of successful shows, a spokesperson for several national & international brands and campaigns and an actress; besides her amazing work as a worldwide hits composer.
In 2009, she founded Fundación Puertas Abiertas. Her Foundation uses music and education to positively influence children and teenagers. It started offering musical workshops and opening classrooms where music and dance were taught to children living in shelters. Nowadays, its biggest project, TalenPro (Talent with a Purpose), is a unique Talent Competition, created and developed by Erika that offers a nationwide platform to express different ways of art for teenagers. Through the competition the participants have the opportunity of showing their talents on stage, but behind the scenes, they become leaders of their own schools and communities and get to restore 12 schools a year that are in a vulnerable situation, benefiting thousands of children. Besides that, winners get scholarships to study in Panama or abroad, with their University completely covered.
Erika is the only Latin female Global Ambassador of the Special Olympics and also supports multiple foundations of different causes. She has been invited, as well, to speak about her advocacy at the Women’s World Forum & the Social Good Summit of the United Nations Foundation, among many other events.
Global Ambassadors
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Alia Atkinson
Olympic Swimmer, Commander of the Order of Distinction -
Andre Drummond
NBA All-Star & Rebound Champion, Chicago Bulls -
Apolo Anton Ohno
Olympic Medalist (Speedskating) -
Avril Lavigne
Musician & Philanthropist -
Robert "Bob" Beamon
Olympic Champion, Long Jump -
Brooklyn Decker Roddick
Actress & Model -
Charles Melton
Actor -
Chris Nikic
Special Olympics Triathlete/Motivational Speaker -
Dale Moss
Former National Football League Player -
Dalton Risner
NFL Player, Minnesota Vikings, Offensive Guard -
Damian Lillard
NBA All Star, Milwaukee Bucks -
Devin Booker
NBA All-Star, Phoenix Suns -
Didier Drogba
Legendary Professional Football (Soccer) Player -
Drew McIntyre
WWE Superstar, (World Wrestling Entertainment) WWE -
Eddie Barbanell
Actor & Comedian -
Eddie Yarbrough
Former NFL Player -
Elena Delle Donne
WNBA Player, Washington Mystics -
Emma Broyles
Miss America 2022 -
Erika Ender
Singer/Songwriter, TV Celebrity, Producer and Actress -
Gabriela (Gaby) Dabrowski
Professional Tennis Player, Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) -
Gleyber Torres
2x MLB All-Star, New York Yankees Shortstop -
Hannah Teter
Olympic Champion, Snowboarder -
Hidetoshi Nakata
Former Professional Footballer, ACCA Inc -
Hussein Fahmy
Egyptian Actor -
Ibtihaj Muhammad
Olympic Champion, Fencing -
In-Kyung Kim
Professional Golfer -
Jamaal Charles
Former Football Player at National Football League (NFL) & All Pro Runningback -
Joe Haden
Former NFL Player & All Pro Defensive Back -
John C. McGinley
Actor & Advocate -
Julen Lopetegui
Legendary Soccer Goaltender & current Manager of FC Sevilla -
Katherine Schwarzenegger and Chris Pratt
New York Times Bestselling Author | Actor, Producer -
Lauren Potter
Actor & Advocate -
Li Na
Former Professional Tennis Player, two time grand slam champion, The first Chinese member of the ITHF -
Lily D Moore
Actress and Model -
Mack Hollins
NFL Player, Atlanta Falcons Wide Receiver -
Maureen McCormick
Actress, Designer, Singer, NY Times Bestselling Author -
Michael Phelps
Olympic Champion, Swimming -
Michelle Kwan
Olympic Figure Skater -
Montell Jordan
International Recording Artist/Pastor -
Nadia Comaneci
Olympic Champion, Gymnastics, Perfect 10 Production, Inc., Special Olympics Global Ambassador -
Nicole Scherzinger
International Recording Artist & Television Personality -
Nigel Barker
Fashion Photographer, TV Personality, Producer/Filmmaker -
Padraig Harrington
Professional Golfer -
Paul Wight
Six-Time WWE World Champion -
Ricky Rubio
Former NBA Player, Cleveland Cavaliers -
Sam Perkins
Olympic Champion, Basketball & NBA Legend -
Dr. Seun Adigun
Summer & Winter Olympian Hurdles and Bobsledding -
Tristan Thompson
NBA Champion, Cleveland Cavaliers -
Vanessa Williams
Singer & Broadway Performer -
Victoria Arlen
ESPN SportsCenter Host -
Vladimir 'Vanja' Grbic
Olympic Medalist, Volleyball -
Willson Contreras
2x MLB All-Star, St. Louis Cardinals Catcher -
Yang Lan
Founding Chairperson, Sun Culture Media Group and Sun Culture Foundation; Journalist; Philanthropist -
Yang Yang
Olympic Champion, Speed Skating -
Yao Ming
NBA All Star & Chairman of the International Basketball Federation Asia (FIBA) -
Zhou Xun
Actress, Singer & Philanthropic Environmentalist -
Zou Shiming
Olympic Champion, Boxing -
View All
As icons of success from diverse industries such as sports, music, entertainment, media, and beyond, Special Olympics Global Ambassadors generously lend their time, talent, and resources to support the Special Olympics mission. They are inspirational role models who share a belief in the power to come together, break down barriers, and foster a world of inclusion while supporting Special Olympics’ expansion of sports, health, youth, and education programs.