Helio Fred Garcia Honored with the 2026 Pat Ford Larger Than Life Impact Award
On Wednesday, September 17, 2026, Logos president Helio Fred Garcia was honored with the 2026 Pat Ford Larger Than Life Impact Award by Diversity Action Alliance (DAA). The award, named after DAA founding chair Pat Ford and sponsored by Burson, honors influential allies who use their voice, platform, and social capital to advance equity and opportunity for underrepresented communicators.
The award recognized Fred's decades of counsel on ethical leadership, his sustained commitment to social justice through organizational service, and his industry contributions, which set the standard for responsible leadership and issues management.
"Fred has never treated giving his time and talent to this industry as an obligation. He shows up fully, challenges leaders to act with integrity and equips others to navigate the moments that test who we are," said Andrea Williams, director of strategy, communications, and research at the Diversity Action Alliance. "DAA President and CEO Carmella Glover first learned from Fred as his graduate student at NYU, and today, we both have the privilege of continuing to learn from him. He embodies the standard Pat Ford set: using your influence to serve a purpose larger than yourself."
At the ceremony, CEO of Burson Corey Dubrowa presented Fred with the award. And Fred addressed the assembled crowd, sharing how his personal experience as an immigrant to the United States has informed his commitment to serving others, particularly those in communities who are marginalized or at risk of violence because of their identity.
"I have concluded that none of us can do this important work alone. We need family. We need friends. We need teachers. We need mentors. And we can all pay it forward in each of these roles," said Fred. "The Greek mathematician Archimedes said, “Give me a lever long enough and I can move the world.” Diversity Action Alliance pulls such a lever. So does Pat Ford. So does Burson. And so does everyone in this room. We are all engaged pulling on that lever… and it is vital work. It is nothing less than moving the world."
Watch his full remarks here:
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