Press Release · For Immediate Release

Reggie Prevail Receives Operation Smile's Cotto Changemaker Award in Miami

Kathy Magee presented the award aboard the Biscayne Lady on June 20, 2026. The night before, Prevail joined Operation Smile's VIP reception at the Museum of Graffiti with Balmain.

NORFOLK, Va. — Oct. 4, 2026 — Reggie Prevail, founder of Prevail Foundation, received Operation Smile's Cotto Changemaker Award on June 20, 2026, at the organization's gala aboard the Biscayne Lady in Miami. Kathy Magee, co-founder of Operation Smile, presented the award. The Cotto Family served as co-chairs, and Lladró sponsored the award. Fellow honorees were Dayanara Torres, Dr. Rafael Gottenger, and Sharon Oliphant.

The award honors leadership that opens doors for other people. For Prevail, it closes a circle that started when he was a student. He attended Operation Smile's student leadership conference and raised the full cost of that trip himself. In February 2026, Prevail Foundation launched the Beyond Borders Scholarship so underestimated young people in Hampton Roads could make the same kind of trip. The Foundation has also given $20,000 to Operation Smile's Interactive Learning Center.

The evening before the gala, on June 19, Prevail attended Operation Smile's VIP reception at the Museum of Graffiti in Miami, hosted with Balmain. World Red Eye covered the reception.

Prevail is a growth advisor and futurist, investor, and philanthropist. Through Prevail Foundation he has made youth access to global leadership experiences a public part of his work, alongside Prevail Group, Prevail Ventures, and 40X.

Photos

Kathy Magee hands Reggie Prevail the Cotto Changemaker Award aboard the Biscayne Lady — Operation Smile co-founder Kathy Magee presents the Cotto Changemaker Award. Miami Smile Gala, aboard the Biscayne Lady, June 20, 2026.

Reggie Prevail holding the Lladró award at the podium — Accepting the Lladró-sponsored award.

Reggie Prevail giving remarks at the Operation Smile podium — Remarks at the Smile Gala podium.

The four 2026 Miami Smile Gala honorees with their awards — 2026 honorees: Reggie Prevail, Sharon Oliphant, Dayanara Torres, and Dr. Rafael Gottenger.

Reggie Prevail with guests at the Museum of Graffiti reception — Operation Smile VIP reception with Balmain. Museum of Graffiti, Miami, June 19, 2026.

Guests gathered inside the Museum of Graffiti during the VIP reception — Inside the Museum of Graffiti reception.

Click any photo to open the full-size file for download.

Coverage

Operation Smile · June 2026

Reggie Prevail Honored With the Cotto Changemaker Award at the Miami Smile Gala

Operation Smile co-founder Kathy Magee presented the award aboard the Biscayne Lady on June 20, 2026, recognizing Reggie's support of underestimated youth through the Prevail Foundation's Beyond Borders Scholarship.

Read on Operation Smile

About Prevail Foundation

Prevail Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded by Reggie Prevail. Through its Beyond Borders Scholarship program, the Foundation funds minority high school students to attend Operation Smile's International Student Leadership Conference, providing seed scholarships, mentorship and fundraising coaching. The Foundation has also made a $20,000 gift to Operation Smile's Interactive Learning Center. Learn more at prevailfoundation.com.

About Reggie Prevail

Reggie Prevail is a growth advisor and futurist, investor, and philanthropist who advises founders and CEOs on growth strategy and innovation. He is the founder of Prevail Foundation, and his work spans Prevail Group, Prevail Ventures, and 40X. Learn more at reggieprevail.com.

Media Contact

Thee Prevail, Chief of Staff
Prevail Group / Prevail Foundation
thee@prevailgroup.net

Approved headshots and bios are in the media kit.

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