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HON. SONIA SOTOMAYOR
Sonia Sotomayor, born on June 25, 1954, in the Bronx, New York, is the first Hispanic and third woman to serve on the United States Supreme Court. Raised in a working-class Puerto Rican family, she excelled academically, earning a scholarship to Princeton University, where she graduated summa cum laude in 1976. She then attended Yale Law School, earning her J.D. in 1979.
Sotomayor began her legal career as an assistant district attorney in Manhattan, gaining a reputation as a fearless prosecutor. She later joined the law firm Pavia & Harcourt, where she specialized in intellectual property and became a partner. In 1991, President George H. W. Bush nominated her to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, where she gained national attention for her decision in the 1995 Major League Baseball strike.
In 1997, President Bill Clinton appointed her to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Over the next decade, she became known for her meticulous legal reasoning and sharp questioning. In 2009, President Barack Obama nominated her to the Supreme Court, where she was confirmed as the first Hispanic justice. Sotomayor is known for her strong, often dissenting opinions and her advocacy for equality, particularly in cases involving affirmative action, healthcare, and same-sex marriage.
DR. ANTONIA NOVELLO
Antonia Coello Novello, born on August 23, 1944, is a Puerto Rican physician and public health administrator. She served as the 14th Surgeon General of the United States from 1990 to 1993, making history as the first woman and first Hispanic to hold this position. A vice admiral in the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, Novello's leadership and contributions to public health have been widely recognized.
Following her tenure as Surgeon General, Novello served as Commissioner of Health for the State of New York from 1999 to 2006. Throughout her distinguished career, she has received numerous awards, including more than fifty honorary degrees. In 2000, she was elected to the National Academy of Medicine and has been inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame. Her memoir, Duty Calls: Lessons Learned from an Unexpected Life of Service, was published in 2024.
DR. WANDA DÍAZ-MERCED
Wanda Díaz-Merced is a Puerto Rican astronomer renowned for pioneering the use of sonification to convert large data sets into audible sound, enabling the study of astrophysical data through hearing. Currently based at the European Gravitational Observatory in Cascina, Italy, she also serves as the Director of the Arecibo Observatory. Despite losing her eyesight, Wanda has become a leading advocate for increasing equality of access to astronomy, emphasizing the importance of diverse methods for data analysis. Her groundbreaking work has earned her recognition as one of the seven most trailblazing women in science by the BBC.
BELINDA KIRKEGARD
Belinda Ortiz Kirkegard is the President of the National Entrepreneur Center. Prior to joining the NEC team, Belinda worked the last 13 years for the City of Kissimmee as its Economic Development Director, working with a leadership team that believed in building an incredible quality of life for residents and businesses alike. Her professional experience also includes the Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association, Orange County’s Business Development Office, as well as having worked for a couple of Central Florida elected officials.
She is a nationally certified Economic Development Finance Professional and has a Master’s degree in Public Administration. Belinda currently serves on a few community boards, and is the Treasurer for the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, which oversees the Orlando International Airport, which has a $600 million annual operating budget and $3 billion for capital improvements.
CARMEN PLANADEBALL
She was born in Guayama, PR, in July 1963. From a young age, she displayed talent in art and music. As a child, she sang in school choirs, earning scholarships in both Music and Athletics at the University of Puerto Rico.
She participated in several events in the town of Arroyo, including being crowned Princess of the Carnival in 1980, and competed in the Miss Puerto Rico Universe pageant in 1981.
After the pageant, she secured a job as a commercial model for the Arcine Modeling Academy, a renowned agency founded by the famous producer Soraida Sanjurjo in San Juan. During her time at Arcine, she had the opportunity to work with notable figures such as Debra Carthy-Deu, Miss Universe 1985, Marco Antonio Muñiz from Mexico, and World Welterweight Champion Luvy Callejas.
In 1985, she decided to move to Orlando, Florida, and a few years later, she began working as a news anchor for Univision Orlando, Channel 63. While anchoring the news, she also hosted a bilingual TV program, Speak Out TV, worked in radio, and sang for professional orchestras. Through these experiences, she performed alongside renowned artists such as Tito Nieves, Domingo Quiñones, Felito Felix, Lalo Rodríguez, and others, gracing major stages, including Walt Disney World.
Today, Carmen is a Realtor, dedicating herself to helping families with all matters related to real estate. She continues to support a nonprofit organization, La Fundación Niños de Amor, which has been serving the Central Florida community since 1987.
DORA CASANOVA
Dora Casanova Nelson, along with her late husband Manuel Toro, co-founded La Prensa on August 21, 1981. A Puerto Rican psychiatrist, Manuel Toro, and Dora launched this publication to serve as a voice for the Hispanic community in Central Florida. Over the years, La Prensa has become a leading and respected Spanish-language newspaper in the region, reflecting the achievements and activities of Hispanics pursuing the American Dream.
As a family and community-oriented newspaper, La Prensa aimed to include and support all Hispanics, regardless of their background. Dora emphasized inclusivity among employees and remained committed to providing a platform for diverse Hispanic voices. Under their leadership, La Prensa maintained neutrality, refusing to align with any political party, ensuring unbiased reporting for their readers.
DR. MARIA VAZQUEZ
Dr. Maria F. Vazquez, the daughter of Cuban immigrants, understands the transformative power of education. Inspired by her own experiences as a first-generation American and the impact of dedicated teachers, she has devoted her career to creating supportive learning environments where students can thrive.
With extensive expertise in curriculum and instruction, Dr. Vazquez has served at every level of the education system. She began as an elementary school teacher and rose through the ranks in Orange County Public Schools (OCPS), eventually becoming the Superintendent of the 8th largest school district in the U.S. Her leadership has focused on educational equity, expanding access to advanced coursework for underserved students, recruiting talented teachers for vulnerable schools, and reprioritizing budgets to support teaching and learning. Under her leadership, OCPS earned an “A” grade from the Florida Department of Education for the 2023-24 school year.
Dr. Vazquez is also an active community member, serving on several boards including the Orlando Economic Partnership and CareerSource Central Florida. She is a member of the prestigious Chiefs for Change. Married for 38 years, she and her husband Ulysses have three children and four grandsons, with family being her greatest joy.
HON. GISELA LAURENT
The Honorable Gisela T. Laurent made history in 2016 as the first Hispanic woman elected as a County Judge in Orange County. From January 2017 to December 2018, she served in the criminal division before being assigned to the civil division. In February 2021, she became the first Hispanic woman in the Ninth Circuit to be appointed to the Circuit Court by a governor, where she currently serves in the Family Division and participates in the Judicial Mentoring Program on Domestic Violence.
Before her judicial career, Judge Laurent was a bilingual attorney advocating for Florida's multicultural population, ensuring they clearly understood the judicial system and the implications of their cases.
A graduate of the University of Florida Warrington College of Business, she earned her law degree from the Levin College of Law. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Judge Laurent moved to Orange County at the age of three, attending public schools there. Her Dominican immigrant parents, who ran their own auto body shop and dry-cleaning business for over 35 years, instilled in her a strong work ethic.
Selected in 2016, Judge Laurent interned with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of Florida, assisting with post-conviction appeals. After graduating from law school in 2003, she joined the Ninth Circuit Public Defender’s Office, providing legal assistance to indigent clients throughout the criminal process.
Judge Laurent believes that courtesy, integrity, and professionalism are cornerstones of equitable justice. She emphasizes that both attorneys and judges must uphold dignity and integrity in our courtrooms.
IXCHELL DUARTE
Ms. Duarte is a seasoned financial executive with over 25 years of experience in public companies, specializing in corporate financial strategy, accounting, SEC reporting, tax, and SOX compliance. She is qualified for public board service, meeting the SEC/NYSE "financial expert" criteria for audit committees. With 15+ years of boardroom experience, she regularly presents to boards and manages relationships with audit committees and external auditors.
Currently, she is the CFO, Treasurer, and SVP of CNL Healthcare Properties, Inc., a public, non-traded REIT, where she plays a key role in leadership and provides strategic updates. Previously, she served as SVP and Chief Accounting Officer for CNL's public company platform, managing over $10 billion in assets, leading compliance infrastructures, and overseeing SEC and SOX compliance. After the sale of a REIT to GE Capital, she became Controller, managing a $12 billion loan portfolio and contributing to three M&A integration teams.
JOSEFINA RODRIGUEZ
Josefina Rodriguez was born in Cuba and immigrated to the United States due to the communist revolution in her home country. She is known as a communications trailblazer in Central Florida, being the first female co-host of a Spanish language morning radio show, Buenos Días Orlando, which debuted on WONQ – 1140 AM in 1985. The station, known as 11-Q Radio La Primera and owned by Q Broadcasting Corporation, was the first Hispanic radio station licensed to the city of Orlando. Josefina worked alongside well-known on-air personalities such as Roberto Cubero, Julio Mario Morales, and journalist Paul Gamache Araujo. Her distinctive voice brought to life popular daily segments like "Curiosidades Curiosas", which captivated 11-Q’s devoted audience. After many years of connecting with Central Florida’s burgeoning Hispanic community, she relocated to West Palm Beach. There, she continued her career with a station also owned by Q Broadcasting Corporation until retiring. Even in her 90s, Josefina remained an avid reader and follower of current worldwide events.
LAUDI CAMPO
With over three decades of experience in Public Relations, Government, and Nonprofit sectors, Laudi Campo is a leading advocate for the Latino community. As the Florida State Director of the Hispanic Federation, she leads initiatives that impact millions.
Her career spans roles in the City of Orlando, Puerto Rico's Senate, and the Department of Education in both Florida and Puerto Rico, sharpening her expertise in government relations and community engagement. Laudi manages a network of over 120 partner organizations, driving change across Florida on key issues like education, healthcare, and economic empowerment.
A native of Morovis, Puerto Rico, Laudi holds a bachelor’s degree in communications with a minor in Public Relations from the University of Puerto Rico. Her dedication to service and strategic vision not only improve the lives of vulnerable populations but also inspire future Latino leaders in Florida and beyond.
MAYRA RAMOS MIRO
Mayra Ramos Miró is the Director of the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration (PRFAA) for the Florida region. With over 20 years of experience in public relations, communications, marketing, and business development, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership throughout her career. She has successfully executed projects with globally recognized brands, making her an invaluable asset in representing Puerto Rico’s interests in Florida.
Ramos Miró is deeply familiar with the Puerto Rican communities in Orlando and is committed to fostering collaboration that transcends geographical boundaries. Her vision focuses on cultivating valuable opportunities for trade exchanges, amplifying tourism exposure, and forging significant partnerships. She aims to advance both Puerto Rico and Florida while contributing to the progress and prosperity of every Puerto Rican, whether on the Island or in Florida.
As the Director of PRFAA in Florida, Ramos Miró serves as the primary liaison between the government of Puerto Rico and local and federal authorities in the region. Her strategic experience and skills are essential in strengthening collaboration and coordinating efforts for the benefit of the Puerto Rican community in Florida.
SANDRA CARRASQUILLO
Host and producer Sandra Carrasquillo has long been engaged with Florida’s Latino culture, starting in radio in 1985. She signed on with Orlando’s first Spanish station (WONQ-AM) and stayed there for 16 years. Along the way she won such prestigious awards as the "Outstanding Leading Hispanic Woman Award" for 2011 from Tu Revista Mujer (Your Women's Magazine), The 2015 Journalist "Emotional Intelligence Advocate" for the SoEI, Ambassador Award 2015 for the Hispanic Woman Chamber of Commerce, and "Hispanic Women That Make a Difference” award from La Prensa newspaper. As part of her involvement in the Latino community she participates in the regular Roundtable Series for the Hispanic American Professional & Business Women's Association and Summit on Puerto Rico Affairs in Florida. She’s the current anchor for FNN's FNN Hispana and radio host for local station WPRD-AM Orlando.
TARLIKA NUNEZ -NAVARRO ESQ.
The Honorable Tarlika Nunez-Navarro is the Dean at St. Thomas University Benjamin L. Crump College of Law, with a distinguished background as a Circuit Court Judge in Florida's Ninth and Seventeenth Judicial Circuits. Known for her commitment to justice, she has made significant contributions to the legal community.
Appointed by both Senator Rick Scott and Governor Ron DeSantis, Dean Navarro presided over various felony and drug courts, while also teaching at FAMU's School of Law and conducting well-being workshops at St. Thomas University.
Before her judicial career, she focused on criminal defense in private practice and served as an Assistant State Attorney in Broward County. Dean Navarro earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Miami and graduated cum laude with a Juris Doctor from St. Thomas University College of Law, becoming the first Colombian American to be appointed to the Circuit Court bench in her circuits.
Her achievements include being named Jurist of the Year by the Hispanic Bar Association of Central Florida in 2022 and Champion for her work in the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit Drug Court. She is also the first alumna to serve as Dean of St. Thomas University College of Law, part of a distinguished group of female Hispanic judges in the nation.