The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach Hosts Inaugural Women Shaping Miami Power Breakfast
The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach, in partnership with hosts Jacqueline Volkart and Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez, held its inaugural Women Shaping Miami Power Breakfast and Panel on March 10th, 2023. The event celebrated women’s achievements across society, culture, economics, hospitality, and politics in Miami, while also raising more than $40,000 for the Women of Tomorrow charitable foundation.
The breakfast, held in The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach ballroom, included an art exhibition by multidisciplinary artist Rachel Lee Hovnanian, featuring three thought provoking pieces titled Fun House Dressing Room, Body Armor, and Power and Beauty. The works explored contemporary ideals of physical beauty and their impact on women. The event also featured pop ups hosted by women founded and operated businesses, giving guests the chance to browse and shop throughout the morning.
Conversations That Went Beyond the Podium
What set this inaugural breakfast apart was not just the caliber of the guest list, but the substance of the conversations themselves. Rather than offering polished soundbites, the panelists spoke candidly about the setbacks and turning points that shaped their careers, offering the kind of practical insight that resonates far beyond a single morning. That willingness to be direct, paired with a shared commitment to mentoring the next generation of women in business, gave the event a sense of purpose that extended well past the panel discussions themselves.
The panel discussions, each running thirty minutes, covered real estate, hospitality, and lifestyle, followed by a Q&A session and a period of light refreshments and networking. Panelists engaged in lively conversations about their respective industries, their career paths, their contributions to the Miami community, and their sense of social responsibility in uplifting future generations of women in the workplace.
The guest list for the event was impressive, including model Karolina Kurkova, former President of Colombia Iván Duque Márquez, TV personality and influencer Kelly Blanco, founder and lead event stylist of Guerdy Design Guerdy Abraira, founder of Wander Beauty Divya Gugani, CEO of Faith Connection Maria Buccellati, owner of Diana Lowenstein Gallery Diana Lowenstein, owner and president of Flag Luxury and The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach Dayssi Olarte de Kanavos, chief creative officer of Sagamore Hotel and The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach Ronit Neuman, president and co-founder of Titan Group of New York Norma Becker, CEO and founder of EBS Capital Angel Brunner, CEO of Neology Lissette Calderon, chief development officer of US Luxury Brands Marriott Dana Jacobsohn, senior vice president of the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau’s Multicultural Tourism and Development Connie W. Kinnard, founder of Hip Rock Star Advertising Jessica Modkins, chairman and CEO of Turnberry Associates Jackie Soffer, and Assistant City Manager of Miami Beach Rickelle Williams.
The Women Shaping Miami Power Breakfast and Panel proved to be an inspiring and successful event, highlighting the achievements of women throughout Miami and beyond. The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach remains committed to promoting diversity and inclusivity across all aspects of its operations, and is proud to have hosted an event celebrating female empowerment and leadership.
