Verónica Vanegas Fernández
TSC President Alfred Goldberg with Veronica Vanegas Fernandez and her husband Juventino Ojito (Rey Momo)
On June 22, 2025, Veronica Vanegas Fernandez was awarded the Tampa Sister Cities Medallion in recognition of her exceptional efforts in advancing cultural diplomacy and strengthening international ties. Her leadership and personal commitment were pivotal in organizing Tampa’s cultural engagement in Barranquilla, Colombia, during Alfred Goldberg’s 2025 delegation visit. Through her deep connections and unwavering dedication, Veronica helped bridge communities, celebrate shared heritage, and lay the groundwork for a renewed spirit of collaboration between Tampa and Barranquilla.
Verónica Vanegas Fernández – Artist, Cultural Manager & Entrepreneur
Verónica Vanegas Fernández is a multifaceted artist and cultural leader from Barranquilla, Colombia, with over 20 years of experience in the music and cultural industries. She holds a degree in Electrical Engineering with a specialization in Project Management from Universidad del Norte, and a diploma in Music Management and Production from the National University of Colombia.
Verónica is the General Manager and Legal Representative of Laboratorio ABBA SAS and the founder and president of Fundación Cuarto Verde. Through this foundation, she has spearheaded numerous cultural initiatives including Exaltación a la Música del Caribe Colombiano, Barranquilla Mp3, Barranquilla Sabe Cantar, Carnaval de Tradición, and Mujeres del Tambor. She is also the executive producer of the television series Sonamos Así, aired through Telecaribe.
As the Executive Director of Cuarto Verde Music, Verónica has produced and promoted award-winning acts such as Juventino Ojito y su Son Mocaná, Los Reyes del Porro, and Perfume de Tambores. Her work earned three Latin Grammy nominations: for Cumbia del Río Magdalena (2017) and La Música del Carnaval (2021), both with Juventino Ojito y su Son Mocaná, and for Swing 80 (2019) by Milton Salcedo. She has represented Colombia at WOMEX—the world’s premier cultural music market—on four occasions.
In addition to her work behind the scenes, Verónica is a talented solo singer and has collaborated with renowned artists including Adriana Lucía, Checo Acosta, and Joe Quijano. She has performed in festivals such as the Festival de Boleros de Cuba and has graced stages in Colombia, the U.S. (Miami and Tampa), and the Dominican Republic.
Her dedication to cultural preservation and artistic excellence has been recognized with several prestigious honors, including the Order of the Colombian Congress (Grade: Caballero) and the Order of Democracy Simón Bolívar (Grade: Cruz Oficial).
Currently, she continues to lead initiatives focused on cultural education, female empowerment through music, and the global promotion of Colombia’s Caribbean musical heritage.
📧 Email: veronicavanegas@gmail.com
📸 Instagram: @veronicavanegasmusic
📘 Facebook: Verónica Vanegas Cantante