PublishHer is an initiative led by female publishing leaders to address the industry’s entrenched gender imbalances and drive an international agenda for change. The PublisHer Excellence Awards 2026 recognised outstanding women whose work is advancing the publishing industry globally.
Ana María Cabanellas began her career as a lawyer and notary before founding the family-owned publishing company of law books, Editorial Heliasta, as a partner. In 1979, Ms Cabanellas became President of Editorial Claridad, which specializes in dictionaries, as well as fiction, philosophy, and history. In 2006, Ms Cabanellas founded UnaLuna, which publishes children’s books, and in 2018, Tobogán, which publishes children’s activity books. From 2004 to 2008, Ana María Cabanellas was the President of IPA.
IPA warmly congratulates Ana María Cabanellas on her Lifetime Achievement Award. With a career spanning more than five decades, she has demonstrated outstanding leadership, shaped the global publishing landscape, and created opportunities for others across generations. Her work reflects a lasting commitment to excellence, diversity, and the development of the publishing industry worldwide. Ana María Cabanellas continues to publish, teach, and inspire – an enduring example of dedication and impact.
Presenting the awards, Sheika Bodour, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Education and Book Culture, said: “Women are not waiting for the future of publishing to manifest – they’re building it. These awards are recognition of individual achievements, but they also form a living record of the impact women are having across every aspect of the world’s book industry.”