The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach, together with hosts Jacqueline Volkart and Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez, celebrated women’s achievements in society, culture, economics, hospitality and politics in Miami at the inaugural Women Shaping Miami Power Breakfast and Panel. The event raised over $40,000 for charitable foundation Women of Tomorrow.
The panels took place on Friday, March 10th, from 8:30AM-12PM at The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach Ballroom. The event consisted of breakfast, an art exhibition by Rachel Lee Hovnanian, and three 30-minute panels covering real estate, hospitality, and lifestyle with a Question & Answer section followed by light refreshments, and networking. Panelists participated in engaging discussion about their respective industries, career paths, contributions to the Miami community, and their social responsibilities to uplift future generations of women in the workplace. Through the duration of the event, women founded and operated businesses hosted popups for guests to browse and shop from.
Rachel Lee Hovnanian is a multidisciplinary artist who explores the complexities of modern feminism through the lens of our cultural obsession with beauty and narcissism. The three pieces elicit conversations around contemporary ideals of physical beauty and the effects it has on women. Hovnanian invites onlookers to dive deeper into the detrimental effects of beauty standards when interacting with Fun House Dressing Room. How women have been groomed to use feminine beauty to gain power while gazing at Body Armor, and how women suffer every bathing suit season with white miracle suit before setting unrealistic standards for themselves. The pieces from Power & Beauty showcase the intricate complexities of modern feminism and how we can combat those inner and outer critics.
The guest list included Karolina Kurkova, model; Iván Duque Márquez, former president of Colombia (2018-2022); Kelly Blanco, TV Personality and Influencer; Guerdy Abraira, Founder and Lead Event Stylist, Guerdy Design; Divya Gugani, Founder of Wander Beauty; Maria Buccellati, CEO of Faith Connection; Diana Lowenstein; Owner Diana Lowenstein Gallery; Dayssi Olarte de Kanavos, The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach owner and President and COO of Flag Luxury; Ronit Neuman, The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach owner and Chief Creative Officer of Sagamore Hotel; Norma Becker, President and Co-Founder Titan Group of New York; Angel Brunner, CEO and Founder, EBS Capital; Lissette Calderon, CEO of Neology; Dana Jacobsohn, Chief Development Officer, US Luxury Brands Marriott; Connie W. Kinnard, Senior Vice President of Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau’s Multicultural Tourism & Development; Jessica Modkins, Founder of Hip Rock Star Advertising; Jackie Soffer, Chairman and CEO of Turnberry Associates; and Rickelle Williams, Assistant City Manager of Miami Beach; Gisella Lownestein, The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach owner; Jacqueline Volkart, Market General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach and The Ritz-Carlton, Bal Harbour; Kristen Rosen Gonzalez, City of Miami Beach Commissioner; and Rachel Lee Hovnanian, artist.
