PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Elaine Miceli Vasquez
Milestone Celebration Becomes a Movement 25 years celebrating Latina Leadership in South Florida a major success
Hollywood, Florida; The 25th anniversary celebration, Hispanic Women of Distinction of South Florida, was presented Friday, August 21, 2026 by Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood in partnership with Latina Style Magazine, Nicklaus Children’s Health System, Latin Business Today and more than 40 corporate and media sponsors also supported the event. The 2026 program honored 13 women selected from more than 60 nominations submitted across Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Their accomplishments span medicine, business, public service, nonprofit leadership and community advocacy, illustrating the expanding role Latina leaders continue to play in shaping the region. Hispanic Women of Distinction was founded in 2001 by the late Dr. Erwin M. Vasquez, a Venezuelan cardiologist, philanthropist and publisher of El Heraldo de Broward, a pioneering Spanish-language newspaper. His vision was to establish a platform that would recognize the influence and accomplishments of Latina women while helping create opportunities for future generations. Twenty-five years later, that mission has grown into one of South Florida’s most established celebrations of Hispanic women’s leadership. “We have built much more than an awards program; we have created a movement,” said Elaine Miceli Vasquez, co-founder and producer of the event. “The next generation is watching us. Today, young girls can see themselves reflected in women who speak their language, honor their culture and show them that no dream is beyond their reach.”
The sold-out luncheon began with a reception featuring music by Mariachi Voces de America and complimentary cocktail from Tito's Vodka. Guests also explored the business expo, participated in raffles and supported a silent auction before entering the ballroom for the awards luncheon. The American Lung Association was selected as the event’s 2026 nonprofit beneficiary. Funds generated through the silent auction, raffles, sponsorships and advertising will support efforts to improve lung health, prevent respiratory disease and promote cleaner air. The program incorporated South Florida’s cultural traditions through music, dance and the annual parade of former honorees who earned the title of Hispanic Women of Distinction since 2001. Performers from Carnaval de Barranquilla Miami led the procession down a 140 foot runway bringing color, energy and cultural pride to the milestone celebration. The 2026 program honored 13 women selected from more than 60 nominations submitted across Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, announced by Mistress of Ceremonies, Myriam Masihy, of NBC 6/Telemundo 51, celebrating her 18th year at the podium. Their accomplishments span medicine, business, public service, nonprofit leadership and community advocacy, illustrating the expanding role Latina leaders continue to play in shaping the region. The 2026 Hispanic Women of Distinction were Jacqueline Ceballos, Maria Jose Haimovitch, Michelle Harper, Alex Llerena, Martha Guerra-Kattou, Janet Lorenzo-Garcia, Griselle Marino, Dr. h.c., Cristina Martinez-Gonzalez, Maria C. Mejia, M.D., Maria Alejandra Membreno, Michelle “Mish” Pelaez, Nercy Barroso Radcliffe and Soraya Rivera-Moya. One of the luncheon’s defining moments was the recognition of Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosanna “Rosie” Cordero-Stutz as the 2026 Latina Pioneer of the Year. With more than 30 years of law-enforcement experience, Cordero-Stutz is the first Hispanic woman to serve as sheriff in Florida history. After 25 years, Hispanic Women of Distinction represents more than an annual luncheon. It has become a multigenerational platform for preserving women’s stories, celebrating Hispanic identity and showing future leaders what is possible. Elected officials, diplomatic and consular representatives, business executives, community leaders and past honorees joined the celebration. The sold-out gathering reflected both the strength of the program and the growing importance of ensuring that Latina achievements are recognized publicly. The event also served as a reminder that representation matters. When young women see leaders who share their language, cultural heritage and lived experiences, professional ambitions can feel more attainable. www.hispanicwomenofdistinction.com Photos by Downtown Photo;
Photo 1: The 2026 Hispanic Women of Distinction
Photo 2: Myriam Masihy, NBC 6/Telemundo
Photo3: Elaine Miceli Vasquez, Founder, Hispanic Women of Distinction, Inc. with Anaclaudia Solorzano, Director of Latin Marketing for Seminole Gaming and Seminole Hard Rock.
Photo 4: Elaine Miceli Vasquez presenting recognition to DeAnn Hazey, Executive Director, Government & Community Affairs for Nicklaus Children's Health System.
Photo 5: LtoR: Julio Roque of Synovus Bank, with Susan Renneisen, VP - Community Affairs & Special Events Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood
Photo 6: LtR Ana VeigaMilton, former Latina Pioneer, with Rosanna Cordero-Stutz, Sheriff of Dade County & 2026 Latina Pioneer and former Up&Comer Hispanic Woman of Distinction, Juliette Ashley Valle.
Photo 7: Carnaval de Barranquilla dancers and musicians led the parade of former honorees opening the celebration.
Photo 8: Lisa Miceli-Capano, Co-chair Hispanic Women of Distinction with Mariachis Voces de America
Ways to Help
The Hispanic Women of Distinction
The Hispanic Women of Distinction
The Hispanic Women of Distinction
2026
Myriam Masihy
The Hispanic Women of Distinction
The Hispanic Women of Distinction
NBC 6/Telemundo
The Hispanic Women of Distinction
Elaine Miceli Vasquez, Founder, Hispanic Women of Distinction, Inc. with Anaclaudia Solorzano, Director of Latin Marketing for Seminole Gaming and Seminole Hard Rock.
Elaine Miceli Vasquez presenting recognition to DeAnn Hazey, Executive Director, Government & Community Affairs for Nicklaus Children's Health System.
LtoR: Julio Roque of Synovus Bank, with Susan Renneisen, VP - Community Affairs & Special Events Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood
LtR Ana VeigaMilton, former Latina Pioneer, with Rosanna Cordero-Stutz, Sheriff of Dade County & 2026 Latina Pioneer and former Up&Comer Hispanic Woman of Distinction, Juliette Ashley Valle.
Carnaval de Barranquilla dancers and musicians led the parade of former honorees opening the celebration.
Lisa Miceli-Capano, Co-chair Hispanic Women of Distinction with Mariachis Voces de America
Milestone celebration planned for the 25th Hispanic Women of Distinction
charity luncheon and business expo
Community • Culture • Charity
The 25th annual Hispanic Women of Distinction charity luncheon and business expo will take place Friday, Aug. 21, 2026, at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, marking a milestone year honoring Latina leadership across South Florida.
Founded in 2001 by the late Erwin M. Vasquez, M.D., a Venezuelan-born cardiologist and publisher of El Heraldo de Broward, alongside his wife, Elaine Miceli-Vasquez, the program was established to recognize Latinas whose leadership, service and professional success continue to shape the region.
Over the past 25 years, the initiative has grown into one of South Florida’s most recognized platforms celebrating Latina achievement across business, government, health care and community service.
“The remarkable Latinas I have met over the past 25 years have created a true sisterhood — supporting one another in business, community service, and in preserving and sharing their culture and traditions,” said Miceli-Vasquez, producer and co-founder. “Our Dos Culturas reception brings together past and current honorees, reinforcing those connections year after year.”
The annual sold-out luncheon draws approximately 1,000 attendees and is presented by Latina Style Inc., a national leader in Hispanic women’s business development, in partnership with Nicklaus Children’s Health System, the region’s only licensed health care system exclusively for children.
More than 30 corporate and media partners support the event. Latin Business Today, a longtime media co-sponsor, features honorees through dedicated editorial coverage.
Each year, a charitable organization benefits from proceeds generated through the event’s silent auction, raffles, sponsorships and advertising. The 2026 beneficiary is the American Lung Association, which works to improve lung health, prevent lung disease and advance clean air initiatives nationwide.
2026 honorees: Selected from more than 60 nominations across Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties:
- Jacqueline Ceballos — Founder, Petal Cartel by JC (Miami-Dade)
- Maria Jose Haimovitch — Senior manager, communications, Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance (Broward)
- Michelle Harper —Esq, Florida Legal Services Inc. (Broward)
- Alex Llerena — Managing director, alumni engagement, Emory University (Broward)
- Martha Guerra-Kattou — Executive vice president, sales and marketing, US Century Bank (Broward)
- Janet Lorenzo-Garcia — Garcia Lorenzo & Associates; Founder, Many Happy Hearts (Miami-Dade)
- Griselle Marino, Dr. h.c. — Director, Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board, Office of Community Advocacy, Miami-Dade County Government (Miami-Dade)
- Cristina Martinez-Gonzalez — Field marketing executive MarketPoint Humana Inc. (Broward)
- Maria C. Mejia, M.D. — Professor, Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University (Palm Beach)
- Maria Alejandra Membreno — Chief of staff, city of Sweetwater (Miami-Dade)
- Michelle “Mish” Pelaez — Chief operating officer, Mark, Ferrer & Hayden PLLC (Miami-Dade)
- Nercy Barroso Radcliffe — President and founder, Providence Healthcare Services (Miami-Dade)
- Soraya Rivera-Moya — Executive director, Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Florida (Miami-Dade)
2026 Latina Pioneer of the Year
Rosanna Cordero-Stutz, sheriff of Miami-Dade County
With more than 29 years in law enforcement, she is the first Hispanic American woman sheriff in Florida’s history.
The achievements of this year’s honorees underscore the continued advancement of Latinas in leadership roles, despite longstanding barriers in professional and civic spaces.
The event will feature a complimentary cocktail sponsored by Tito’s Vodka, live entertainment, a business expo, silent auction and a tribute recognizing more than 350 honorees since the program’s inception.
Sponsorships begin at $1,500, and individual tickets are $125.
For more information, visit www.hispanicwomenofdistinction.com or email hispanicwomenlunch@aol.com.
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Gran celebración del 25.º aniversario de Hispanic Women of Distinction:
almuerzo benéfico y expo empresarial
Comunidad • Cultura • Filantropía
El 25.º aniversario del almuerzo benéfico y expo empresarial Hispanic Women of Distinction se llevará a cabo el viernes 21 de agosto de 2026 en el Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino en Hollywood, Florida, marcando un año emblemático en reconocimiento al liderazgo latino femenino en el sur de Florida.
Fundado en 2001 por el fallecido Erwin M. Vasquez, M.D., cardiólogo venezolano y editor del periódico El Heraldo de Broward, junto a su esposa Elaine Miceli-Vasquez, el programa fue creado para reconocer a mujeres latinas cuyo liderazgo, servicio y logros profesionales continúan impactando positivamente a la comunidad.
A lo largo de 25 años, la iniciativa se ha consolidado como una de las plataformas más reconocidas del sur de Florida para destacar el talento y la trayectoria de mujeres latinas en los sectores empresarial, gubernamental, de salud y comunitario.
“Las extraordinarias mujeres latinas que he conocido durante estos 25 años han creado una verdadera hermandad, apoyándose en los negocios, el servicio comunitario y en la preservación de sus culturas y tradiciones,” expresó Miceli-Vasquez, productora y cofundadora. “Nuestra recepción privada Dos Culturas reúne a homenajeadas de años anteriores y actuales, fortaleciendo esos lazos.”
El evento anual, que tradicionalmente se presenta con entradas agotadas y reúne a aproximadamente 1,000 asistentes, es presentado por Latina Style Inc., líder nacional en el desarrollo empresarial de mujeres hispanas, en alianza con Nicklaus Children’s Health System, el único sistema de salud pediátrico con licencia especializada en la región.
Más de 30 socios corporativos y medios de comunicación respaldan este evento. Latin Business Today, copatrocinador de larga trayectoria, presenta perfiles editoriales de las homenajeadas cada año.
Como parte del evento, se selecciona una organización benéfica beneficiaria de los fondos recaudados a través de subastas silenciosas, rifas, patrocinios y publicidad. En 2026, la organización beneficiaria será la American Lung Association, cuya misión es mejorar la salud pulmonar, prevenir enfermedades respiratorias y promover aire limpio para todos.
Homenajeadas 2026:
Seleccionadas entre más de 60 nominaciones de los condados de Miami-Dade, Broward y Palm Beach:
Jacqueline Ceballos — Fundadora, Petal Cartel by JC (Miami-Dade)
Maria Jose Haimovitch — Gerente senior de comunicaciones, Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance (Broward)
Michelle Harper — Abogada, Florida Legal Services Inc. (Broward)
Alex Llerena — Director gerente, participación de exalumnos, Emory University (Broward)
Martha Guerra-Kattou — Vicepresidenta ejecutiva de ventas y mercadeo, US Century Bank (Broward)
Janet Lorenzo-Garcia — Fundadora, Many Happy Hearts (Miami-Dade)
Griselle Marino, Dr. h.c. — Directora, Junta Asesora de Asuntos Hispanos, Oficina de Participación Comunitaria, Gobierno del Condado Miami-Dade (Miami-Dade)
Cristina Martinez-Gonzalez — Ejecutiva de mercadeo de campo, Humana Inc. (Broward)
Maria C. Mejia, M.D. — Profesora de salud poblacional, Florida Atlantic University (Palm Beach)
Maria Alejandra Membreno — Jefa de gabinete, ciudad de Sweetwater (Miami-Dade)
Michelle “Mish” Pelaez — Directora de operaciones, Mark, Ferrer & Hayden, PLLC (Miami-Dade)
Nercy Barroso Radcliffe — Presidenta y fundadora, Providence Healthcare Services (Miami-Dade)
Soraya Rivera-Moya — Directora ejecutiva, Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Florida (Miami-Dade)
Latina pionera del año 2026
Rosanna Cordero-Stutz, alguacil del condado Miami-Dade
Con más de 29 años de experiencia en el orden público, es la primera mujer hispanoamericana en ocupar el cargo de alguacil en la historia de Florida.
Los logros de las homenajeadas reflejan el avance continuo de las mujeres latinas en posiciones de liderazgo, a pesar de los desafíos históricos en el ámbito profesional y cívico.
El evento incluirá un cóctel de bienvenida cortesía de Tito’s Vodka, entretenimiento en vivo, expo empresarial, subasta silenciosa y un homenaje especial a más de 350 mujeres reconocidas desde la creación del programa.
Los patrocinios comienzan en $1,500 y las entradas individuales tienen un costo de $125.
Para más información, visite: www.hispanicwomenofdistinction.com o escriba a: hispanicwomenlunch@aol.com
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Hispanic Women of Distinction
PO Box 70785, Oakland Park, FL 33307
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