Diego Tórgo is Group Creative Director at Area 23 in New York, where he leads The Refinery, a group dedicated to elevating the agency's most important work through craft, design, and execution. Across two decades in Brazil, Portugal, and the U.S., he's held on to one belief: great ideas rarely get lost in the thinking. They get lost in the details.

His background was forged in the consumer world, where he spent years focused on how narratives move through culture, earn attention, and create impact. Today, he brings that same thinking to health. His focus on how ideas are made has fueled consistent recognition for the agency, including consecutive Cannes Lions Healthcare Agency of the Year titles and top-tier rankings at D&AD and The One Show. In 2026, the shop was named Agency of the Year at the Art Directors Club, a first for a health agency, and earned top 10 placements in both the WARC Rankings and The Drum's World Creative Rankings.

Across his career, Diego has been part of work recognized with more than 400 international awards. Most recently, he was ranked the #1 Creative at the 2026 Art Directors Club, #1 Creative Director in The One Club Global Ranking, #3 Creative Director (Design) in the 2026 D&AD Rankings, #10 globally by The Drum, and #7 Art Director at Cannes Lions 2024. One milestone stands out: contributing to Portugal's first Cannes Lions Grand Prix.

He's learned that while accolades are rewarding, the best way forward remains simple: work smart, get things done, and be kind. Outside the office, Diego is happily married to Carolina and is currently in training to master the art of dad jokes, much to the embarrassment of his son, Marcelo.