For Immediate Release Contact: Claudia Bailly
305-338-7400
cbailly@bellsouth.net
8TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL BUSINESSWOMAN OF THE YEAR AWARDS DELIVERS BRILLIANTLY
OWIT South Florida’s Spotlight on Businesswomen and Breast Cancer Strikes a Common Cord
Miami, Florida, November 16, 2009 – OWIT South Florida delivered brilliantly at last Thursday’s
luncheon and awards ceremony. The largely women-led organization aimed to focus the 8th annual awards event on “being a survivor” and topped the goal by putting together an event that gave the largely female audience tangible techniques and the wherewithal to “not just be a survivor, but to thrive.”
The outstanding event was held at the Banker’s Club in downtown Miami. The keynote speaker, Alexandra Villoch, the Senior Vice President of Advertising and Marketing at the Miami Herald Media Company, and a breast cancer survivor herself, underscored the genuine challenges of overcoming this disease as a mother, a woman, and a businesswoman. Her message was hopeful, eloquent, and motivating.
“Death close up and personal--- guess what – it’s okay – it helps frame your life – helps you let go and focus on the essentials… you don’t sweat the small stuff.. and it’s really all small stuff in comparison – so in hindsight – going through this taught me a lot – and gave me key skills for surviving anything!” Alexandra shared with the nearly 150 attendees. She also connected to the overriding economic concerns and trials most everyone is facing.
The Organization of Women in International Trade’s South Florida Chapter (OWIT South Florida) has been the steam engine behind this important business event for eight consecutive years. This year’s awards luncheon honored 4 distinguished women - the late Bunny Schreiber for her commitment to international trade; Carolina Rendiero of Business Centers for outstanding performance and service in the Small/Medium Business Category, Marta Clark of Adobe Systems for her leadership in the Large Business category and, Liane Ventura of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce for the Service Category.
OWIT South Florida teamed up with the Susan. B. Komen Foundation and offered event proceeds to this organization tirelessly looking for cures for breast cancer.
“It’s so humbling for all of us at OWIT South Florida to be in the presence of so many incredible business women and men and to see the fruits of our labor year in and year out at this event,” stated Deborah Stern, President of OWIT South Florida and attorney in the Import & Export Practice Group at Sandler, Travis and Rosenberg, P.A. “And today’s resounding message of surviving and thriving through these times was timely and connected to all of us, “she added.
Conference Sets Stage For International Business Women Seeking Alliances
Miami, FL – A dozen accomplished businesswomen from emerging markets in Africa, Asia and Latin America will be special guests at an international trade conference in Miami October 10-12 and they will be seeking to establish alliances with North American companies and organizations. The women – who range from business owners to representatives of women’s business organizations and even government–, will be attending the 16th Annual Organization of Women in International Trade (OWIT) World Conference.
“This represents a truly unique opportunity for businesses in the South Florida area, and for all delegates at the conference, to establish global linkages with some truly amazing women,” says Helen Picard, President of WIT-Miami, the conference host chapter. “We are looking forward to facilitating meaningful conversations and business opportunities.”
“Thanks to the funding from CIDA and the partnership with TFOC, we will have this exciting delegation at the conference to enhance cross-border exchanges that can open new markets. It is particularly fitting since the theme of this year’s conference is Emerging Markets: The Road Ahead for Finance, Business and Trade. The delegates will also provide input into the APEC Women Leaders Network meeting that will take place in Peru next year.”
Among the other highlights of the conference, which brings together entrepreneurs and executives involved in all aspects of international trade, will be keynote presentations by Ambassador Susan Schwab, United States Trade Representative and Canada’s Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs & International Trade, Helena Guergis, as well as a fireside chat with Forbes 100 representatives, including Maureen Kempston Darkes, President of GM LAAM. A roster of high-level speakers covering both policy and practical aspects of trade, from supply chain security to microcredit and entrepreneurship, will complement the program.
The conference will be held at the Miami Beach Resort & Spa from October 10-12. Registration:www.owit.org.
About OWIT
The Organization of Women in International Trade (OWIT) is a non-profit professional organization dedicated to advancing global trade opportunities and the advancement of women in business. OWIT has over 3,000 members in chapters throughout the world, including the United States, Canada, Europe, Latin America, Asia and Africa. www.owit.org
About CIDA
The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) is Canada’s lead agency for development assistance. It has a mandate to support sustainable development in developing countries in order to reduce poverty and to contribute to a more secure, equitable, and prosperous world. www.acdi-cida.gc.ca
About TFOC
The Trade Facilitation Office Canada (TFOC) is a not-for-profit corporation that provides information on and linkages to the Canadian import market and a source of training for exporting and for investment attraction for developing and transition economy countries. Since 2004 TFOC – jointly with the International Trade Centre (UN/WTO), ACCESS! for African Businesswomen in International Trade – has been implementing a trade training/mentoring/on-line information program that is currently in place in over 10 African countries and offered in four languages. www.tfoc.ca
6th Annual International Business Woman of the Year Award
MIAMI – November 6, 2006 – The Miami Chapter of the Organization of Women in International Trade (WIT-Miami) honored the winners of its sixth annual INTERNATIONAL BUSINESSWOMAN OF THE YEAR AWARDS at an elegant luncheon event on Thursday, November 2, 2006 at The Colonnade Hotel in Coral Gables.
Honorees included Diane Sanchez, Vice President of Telefonica in the category of Large Company, Mercedes La Porta, Owner of Mercedes Electric Supply in the category of Small & Medium-sized Company, and Margaret Cullen, Trade Commissioner for the Canadian Consulate in Miami in the category of Representing Companies in the Services category. These accomplished proffesionals were recognized for the role they play in enhancing international trade and business through their professional, and/or community activities and/or who have mentored other women in Florida’s community.
“Each of the winners made a significant contribution both towards promoting Miami as a center for trade and towards inspiring other women in the business community”, said Donna Hrinak, director of corporate and legal affairs for Kraft Latin America and a judge for the awards.
The event was attended by members of the International and South Florida business communities many of which are also members of WIT-Miami.
“I was very impressed because I know women who are participants in this organization are really professionals,” said Diane Sanchez, VP of Telefonica and winner in the Large Business Category, “They’re accomplished in their own right, and I thought it was really neat to be recognized by a group of women that I respect.”
Dr. Susan Kaufman Purcell, the Director of the Center for Hemispheric Policy at the University of Miami served as keynote speaker and received the first WIT-Miami Ambassador Award for her work in promoting Miami as an international business center.
Finalists for the International Business Woman of the Year awards are chosen from many candidates who submitted applications or for whom applications were submitted. A panel of independent judges reviews the submissions and votes for the winners in each category.
About WIT-Miami
Established in 1993, WIT-Miami is a networking and educational organization that promotes women in international trade and commerce - www.owit-southflorida.org . It is one of 40 chapters of the Organization of Women in International Trade (OWIT), which has 5,200 members worldwide.
Proceeds from the awards luncheon are used to fund scholarships for women studying international business at a South Florida university.
WIT-MIAMI AWARDS MIAMI'S
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS WOMEN OF THE YEAR WINNERS REVEALED AT WIT-MIAMI's AWARD CEREMONY
MIAMI – November 14, 2005 – The Miami Chapter of the Organization of Women in International Trade (WIT-Miami) held its fifth annual INTERNATIONAL BUSINESSWOMAN OF THE YEAR AWARDS last Wednesday at the Omni Colonnade in Coral Gables to recognize outstanding women in the Miami community for the role they play in enhancing international trade and business in South Florida through their professional, and/or community activities. The winners and finalists in each of three categories were:
LARGE COMPANY (over 200 employees):
Winner: Maureen Kempston Darkes, President Latin America,
Africa and Middle East Region, General Motors Corporation
Finalist: Suzanne Garber, Managing Director, FedEx Express
Finalist: Deborah L. Natansohn, President and COO, Seabourn Cruise Line
SMALL TO MEDIUM COMPANY (200 employees or less):
Winner: Evelyn D’An, President, D’An Financial Services
Finalist: Patricia M. Alvarez, President, Intermarket Corp.
Finalist: Cynthia R. Cohen, President, Strategic Mindshare
SERVICE PROVIDER (any size):
Winner: Donna J. Hrinak, Senior Counselor for Trade & Government Affairs,
Squire Sanders & Dempsey (incorporating Steel Hector & Davis)
Finalist: Nancy Cely-Icaza, Trade Commissioner of Ecuador in Miami, CORPEI Miami
Finalist: Rosie Gordon-Wallace, Founder & Curator, Diaspora Vibe Gallery
Ileana Bravo of Ileana Bravo Productions, Inc. was Mistress of Ceremonies and Lettie Bien, President and CEO of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce was the Keynote Speaker. Ms. Bien spoke of the major challenges in the privatization of state-owned enterprises and provided examples from her own experiences in Iraq. Ms. Bien, an Army Reserve Colonel and civil affairs specialist, recently returned from a one-year deployment where she served as Senior Advisor/Senior Consultant to the Iraqi Ministry of Industry and Minerals in Baghdad.
Proceeds from this annual event go to fund scholarships awarded to women studying international business at a South Florida university.
WIT-MIAMI AWARDS MIAMI'S
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESSWOMEN OF THE YEAR
MIAMI – November 17, 2004 – The Miami Chapter of the Organization of Women in International Trade (WIT-Miami) held its fourth annual INTERNATIONAL BUSINESSWOMAN OF THE YEAR AWARDS last week (Nov. 10th) at the Omni Colonnade in Coral Gables to recognize outstanding women in the Miami community for the role they play in enhancing international trade and business in South Florida through their professional, and/or community activities. The winners and finalists in each of three categories were:
LARGE COMPANY (over 200 employees):
Winner: Ana Guevara, Vice President, Corporate Affairs for the Americas, United Parcel Service
Finalist: Klaudia Bermudez-Key, General Manager and VP, Latin America, Sony Pictures Television Intl
Finalist: Beatrice Rangel, President and CEO, AMLA Consulting
SMALL TO MEDIUM COMPANY (200 employees or less):
Winner: Carole Ann Taylor, President, Miami to Go, Inc. and Little Havana To Go, LLC
Finalist: Monique Hamaty-Simmonds, President, Tortuga Rum Cake Company
Finalist: Genie Medina Milgrom, Vice President, Farma International
SERVICE PROVIDER (any size):
Winner: Irene Marie, President, Irene Marie Management Group
Finalist: Betsy S. Atkins, President & CEO, Baja, LLC
Finalist: Elba Hentschel, Regional Executive Director, U.S.-Mexico Chamber of Commerce
The members of the WIT Board also presented a special award to one of their own, Lisa Landy, an attorney and shareholder with Akerman Senterfitt & Eidson P.A., for her leadership, vision, and many contributions to WIT-Miami and to the community. Jill Beach of Jill Beach Productions, Inc. was the Mistress of Ceremonies and Angela Gittens, Director of the Miami-Dade Aviation Department and Miami International Airport presented an engaging Keynote Address. Ms. Gittens described the impact of this key strategic asset on the local economy, and highlighted present and future challenges and opportunities. Last year, proceeds from the event funded two scholarships awarded to two women attending Barry University’s international business program. |
WIT-MIAMI is a networking and informational organization established in 1993 to promote international trade and commerce. It Is one of 40 chapters in the Organization for Women in International Trade (OWIT) who has 5,200 members worldwide.