Argentine Italian producer, TV host, and philanthropist Natalia Denegri was honored by the United States Capitol with the U.S. Capitol Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by the International Academy of Chaplaincy in recognition of her global humanitarian work and lifelong commitment to helping others.
The ceremony, held at the Trump Hotel in Doral, was hosted by Tatiana Henriquez and Gary Berrios, Director of Multicultural Outreach for the Office of U.S. Senator Rick Scott. During the event, Denegri’s 11-year-old daughter Nicole was also recognized with the President’s Volunteer Service Award, becoming the youngest person in U.S. history to receive this prestigious presidential honor.
Both awards were accompanied by official commendation letters from the U.S. Capitol, signed by Senator Rick Scott, praising mother and daughter for their leadership and service. The City of Doral also presented Nicole with a special recognition for her empathy and social engagement, highlighting her participation in “El Mundo de Nicole”, a segment within the Emmy-winning show Corazones Guerreros, where she promotes kindness and solidarity among children.
During the presentation, Gary Berrios described Denegri as “a woman who has turned compassion into action and storytelling into a powerful tool for change.”
Visibly moved, Denegri dedicated her award to Alan Hassenfeld, the late former CEO of Hasbro Toys and President of the Hassenfeld Family Foundation, who passed away recently in London. Hassenfeld was a close friend and one of the people who encouraged her to launch her TV show.
“Alan was a true example of love for others. This award is for him, because he dreamed of changing the world from the heart. His legacy lives on in every mission we carry out and in every smile, we create,” said Denegri.
Denegri and Hassenfeld first met at a U.S. university, where she had been invited to speak about autism awareness following the release of the acclaimed film El Pozo, which portrays the challenges and beauty of life with autism. Her long-standing advocacy for children with autism in Argentina deeply resonated with Hassenfeld, sparking a lasting friendship and humanitarian collaboration that gave birth to Corazones Guerreros and numerous international relief missions. Together, they received numerous awards recognizing their impactful work, including the Key to the City of Miami, multiple Emmy Awards, and the President’s Volunteer Service Award, underscoring their shared commitment to humanitarian causes.
Nicole, who has accompanied her mother on humanitarian initiatives from a young age, also moved the audience with her heartfelt words. “I grew up watching my mom and our dear Alan Hassenfeld dedicate their lives to helping others, to bringing light to where there was darkness and a smile where there was a tear. They taught me that it doesn’t matter how old we are or how much we have; what matters is the heart we give from. I hope being here today inspires other kids to do the same.”
Three years ago, Miami Mayor Francis X. Suarez had already recognized Nicole’s civic spirit, presenting her with a diploma for her participation in community programs supporting children and youth in need.
A Decade of Communication, Compassion, and Impact
Based in South Florida for over a decade, Natalia Denegri has built a career that merges media, philanthropy, and social advocacy. She’s the founder and CEO of Trinitus Productions and has earned 43 Suncoast Emmy Awards for socially conscious documentaries and her long-running television program Corazones Guerreros, which has aired on MegaTV for over 10 years.
Throughout her career, Denegri has led humanitarian missions across countries such as Venezuela, Colombia, Argentina, Cuba, and Puerto Rico, delivering food, medicine, toys and assistance to thousands of families and connecting social driven documentaries with humanitarian action. These missions were carried out with the support of Alan Hassenfeld, as part of her role as spokesperson for the Hassenfeld Family Foundation, and often included Estefania Mönch from Hasbro Toys, who helped ensure community impact under the company’s philanthropic global e orts. Natalia Denegri has also received political recognition from the coalition Bienvenido Empresarios and was honored at the American Patriots Gala at Mar-a-Lago by Make America Clean Again (MACA) and We Fund the Blue Foundation for her philanthropic leadership and media impact. Among her many awards, she received the President’s Volunteer Service Award alongside Alan Hassenfeld, recognizing their humanitarian efforts and commitment to vulnerable communities.
In 2017, she led one of her most impactful missions: organizing flights loaded with food, medical supplies, and volunteer doctors to Puerto Rico after Hurricane María. The initiative – which united Denegri, three generations of the Hassenfeld family, and celebrities such as Adamari López, Johnny Lozada, and renowned physicians Dr. Eddie Armas and Dr. Alberto Cotton – was recognized by the U.S. Congress and inspired the Emmy-winning documentary Hope, praised for its message of resilience and recovery.
Denegri’s influence extends beyond the screen. People en Español named her among the “Most Powerful Latinas in the United States,” while HOLA! USA included her in its Latina Powerhouse 100 list, honoring the most influential Hispanic women in the country.
Beyond her work in media and philanthropy, Denegri is also a successful entrepreneur. She is co-owner of Baires Grill, one of the most renowned Argentine restaurant groups in the U.S., with several locations across Florida. Earlier this year, Denegri and her business partner Martin Koenig, received the President’s Volunteer Service Award for their community and humanitarian initiatives.
Over the years, Denegri has built strong partnerships with leaders and organizations across South Florida – including members of the Presidency and the Mayor of Miami – supporting cultural, educational, and humanitarian programs that benefit vulnerable families and children with medical conditions.
Over the years, Denegri has built strong partnerships with leaders and organizations across South Florida – including members of the Presidency and the Mayor of Miami – supporting cultural, educational, and humanitarian programs that benefit vulnerable families and children with medical conditions.
With this latest honor from the U.S. Capitol, Natalia Denegri reaffirms her unwavering dedication to turning stories into impactful action, compassion into meaningful change, and unity into a lasting legacy. Together with her daughter Nicole, she inspires future generations to continue spreading light in times of darkness and hope in moments of despair.
