This March, as we honor Women’s History Month, we celebrate the unstoppable women shaping Florida’s hospitality, food, and business industries. These inspiring leaders are challenging norms, breaking barriers, and paving the way for future generations.
From innovative entrepreneurs to influential executives, Florida’s trailblazing women are making waves and redefining success in their fields. They exemplify resilience, creativity, and leadership—driving positive change and inspiring others to follow.
Join us in recognizing these remarkable women who continue to challenge the status quo and inspire excellence across Florida’s vibrant industries.
Food & Beverage
Melanie Hackman, Co-Founder, aioli Sour Dough Bakery & Café
Melanie Hackman is the co-founder of aioli Sour Dough Bakery & Café, the Michelin Bib Gourmand-recognized West Palm Beach staple where guests are greeted by name and hospitality is personal and consistent. With a deep understanding of people and sensory intuition (especially when it comes to flavor, aroma and balance), Hackman plays a quiet but essential role in guiding the guest experience and the café’s evolving menu. Over the past decade, Hackman has helped grow aioli from a six-person café into a thriving, community-rooted business that values neighborhood relationships as much as technical excellence. From community fundraisers and local events to everyday moments of hospitality, her presence is felt in every corner of the café.
Chef Yu Bi, Co-Founder, Kung Fu Chicken
As co-founder and culinary director of Kung Fu Chicken, Chef Yu Bi represents a new generation of female leaders shaping Miami’s dining scene. Inspired by her grandmother, a renowned chef in 1960s China, Chef Yu Bi draws on family-inspired techniques and Asian street food traditions into a modern, fast-casual format, emphasizing careful preparation, authentic flavors and consistency. Over the past decade, she has expanded multiple restaurants across South Florida, including 107 Taste and Cajun Boil. Her work goes beyond food, creating spaces where guests can gather and connect over shared meals. As the brand prepares to open its first Miami Beach location, Chef Yu Bi continues to carve space for women in hospitality leadership, showing that the kitchen can be a place of empowerment, creativity and opportunity.
Diana Martinez, Chef de Cuisine, Uchi Miami
Uchi Miami’s Chef de Cuisine Diana Martinez is a homegrown force, rising from prep cook to the helm of one of the city’s most beloved restaurants. Born to a Honduran mother and Mexican father and raised in Downtown Miami, Martinez developed a culinary voice rooted in connection and community. She joined Uchi Miami at 19 while studying culinary arts at Miami Dade College and quickly moved through the ranks, mentored by the restaurant’s former chef de cuisine and inspired by the culture of collaboration around her. Today, Martinez leads the kitchen with a focus on precision, creativity and warmth, overseeing the execution and evolution of the restaurant’s nontraditional approach to Japanese cuisine. Whether collaborating with celebrated chefs like Ghee Indian Kitchen’s Niven Patel or putting the final touches on a sizzling Kinoko Nabe for a packed house, Martinez is at the forefront of delivering the thoughtful, elevated experience that defines Uchi.
Danielle Rosse & Kali Williams, Co-Founders, The Break House Kitchen + Bar
In a male-dominated industry, mother-daughter duo Danielle Rosse and Kali Williams are redefining coastal dining with The Break House Kitchen + Beach Bar, Deerfield Beach’s first rooftop bar and a three-in-one dining destination designed by locals, for locals. Opened in December 2025 following a competitive city-led bid and a multimillion-dollar transformation, The Break House is located alongside Oceans 234, the iconic waterfront restaurant owned by Rosse at the Deerfield Beach International Fishing Pier. Rosse leads operations across both concepts, while Williams oversees marketing and brand experiences for The Break House, extending beyond dining through community-driven programming, including a run club with more than 200 members. Together, they represent a modern, female-led hospitality model rooted in shared vision, mentorship and community.
Patricia Lara, Founder & Owner, Casa Sensei and Wonder Paws Rescue
Power businesswoman Patricia Lara is the owner of Fort Lauderdale waterfront restaurant Casa Sensei and founder of the nonprofit Wonder Paws Rescue. When she opened Casa Sensei in November 2018, Lara completely transformed the Las Olas culinary scene: The fan-favorite restaurant was voted “Best Asian Restaurant” by Fort Lauderdale Magazine for five consecutive years. Lara’s dedication to her business came from the ground up— – she revamped the entire interior, built the bar from scratch, executed successful marketing strategies, and developed a delectable menu that brilliantly blends Latin American and Asian cuisine. While successfully running Casa Sensei, Lara and her daughter co-founded Wonder Paws Rescue, a foster-based nonprofit that provides temporary housing, medical care and rehabilitation for animals in South Florida.
Valeri Fuentes, Executive Chef, Verde
As executive chef at Verde, the waterfront restaurant at Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM), Valeri Fuentes brings creativity and passion to the culinary program at PAMM and all special events by its exclusive caterer, Constellation Culinary Group. Originally from Caracas, Venezuela, Fuentes blends her Latin American roots with a refined, artistic approach to food, adding a dynamic and creative touch to every dish while drawing inspiration from the city’s diverse gastronomic influences and the museum’s art. Most recently, she featured a selection of dishes inspired by the exhibitions Carlos Cruz-Diez: Chromosaturation and Elliot & Erick Jiménez: El Monte. From appetizers like The Artist’s Palette, which invites guests to paint truffle turmeric hummus, beet tzatziki and baba ghanoush on za’atar flatbread, to desserts like El Monte, which reimagines the sacred ceiba trunk at the heart of the Jiménez brothers’ installation, Fuentes’ culinary creations prove that food is not just sustenance, it’s a vibrant and meaningful experience.
Camila Olarte, Executive Chef, Laurel Miami Beach
Camila Olarte is the executive chef of Laurel Miami Beach, bringing more than 15 years of culinary and hospitality experience shaped by some of the world’s most acclaimed kitchens, including Francis Mallmann’s Los Fuegos and Thomas Keller’s The Surf Club and The French Laundry. Raised in a large family where the dining table was central to daily life, Olarte discovered her passion for cooking early and pursued formal training at Gato Dumas in Colombia, graduating at the top of her class, before earning a master’s degree in French culinary technique from Le Cordon Bleu in Lima, Peru. After relocating to Miami to study under top chefs, she trained in open-fire cooking and butchery at Los Fuegos and later joined the opening team at The Surf Club Restaurant, contributing to its first Michelin star. In 2020, she was selected for a nearly yearlong placement at the three-Michelin-starred French Laundry, returning to The Surf Club as sous chef before expanding her leadership through consulting work with Chef Brad Kilgore for Rosewood Hotels and SHVO. Olarte’s accolades include being named a semifinalist in the 2019-2020 San Pellegrino Young Chef Competition, receiving The Surf Club’s Outstanding Employee of the Year “Bacon Award” in 2019, and being recognized by Miami New Times as one of the “Five Female Chefs to Watch.”
Hospitality
Lesley Goldwasser, The Betsy – South Beach
Philanthropist, Wall Street executive and and with her family owner of The Betsy – South Beach, Lesley Goldwasser exemplifies the strength and vision of a woman driving change. Born and raised in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, Goldwasser is a proud graduate of the University of Cape Town. She is currently a Managing Partner at GreensLedge , a Global Investment Bank and previously held leadership roles at Credit Suisse and Bear Stearns. As a founding board member of the Miami Music Festival and her work as an art curator, Goldwasser has helped establish The Betsy as a cultural hub in South Beach and played a key role in the cultural transformation of Ocean Drive. Specifically, she has championed digital creators through projections on “The Betsy Orb,” the egg-shaped architectural masterpiece that serves as a bridge connecting the hotel’s two buildings. Goldwasser’s commitment to community is also expressed through her family’s work at Zara’s Center, an after-school safe haven in Emganwini, Zimbabwe, that provides daily meals, school fees, academic enrichment, medical care, work training, recreation and artistic development to orphaned and vulnerable children. As the program’s international board chair for the last 18 years, Goldwasser has strategically navigated the center’s growth from a nascent startup to a mature organization. In 2026, Zara’s Center will open a new campus, designed in partnership with Krueck Sexton Architects, as a gift to children living in Emganwini.
Arnelda Broadaway, Director of Sales & Marketing, The Goodtime Hotel
Arnelda Broadaway is a hospitality and events professional with over 20 years of experience leading luxury catering sales, event strategy and brand activations across premier hotel properties nationwide. As director of sales and marketing at The Goodtime Hotel, she brings her signature energy and guest-centric approach, driving revenue and elevating the hotel’s position as one of Miami Beach’s most sought-after destinations. She has successfully led conferences, galas, brand activations and high-stakes meetings for Fortune 500 companies, government agencies and nonprofit organizations. Recognized by Women We Admire in 2024 and Boutique Hotelier’s Hidden Heroes Award in 2025, Broadaway is known for her flawless execution and ability to anticipate client needs. Broadaway also serves as the senior project manager for the Udonis Haslem Foundation, a nonprofit that supports children and families in historically marginalized neighborhoods throughout South Florida through programs focused on youth development, mental health, community accessibility, small business support and affordable housing.
Jennifer Hiblum, General Manager, Arlo Wynwood
Jennifer Hiblum serves as general manager of Arlo Wynwood, the first hotel to open in Miami’s vibrant Wynwood Arts District when it debuted in 2022. With more than 20 years of experience in boutique lifestyle hospitality, Hiblum is known for her hands-on leadership style and passion for highly personalized guest service. A native New Yorker, she spent nearly 15 years in the competitive Northeast market, where she honed her expertise as a high-level operator. Her career includes general manager roles with leading New York City hospitality brands, such as Viceroy Hotels & Resorts and Sixty Hotels. After relocating to Miami in 2019, Hiblum served as general manager of residences by Armani Casa, overseeing all back-of-house and resident-facing operations for the globally renowned luxury brand. In her current role, Hiblum leads day-to-day operations while cultivating meaningful community partnerships that celebrate Wynwood’s creative spirit and uphold Arlo’s signature “come as you are” ethos.
Allie Singer, VP of Commercial Strategy & Asset Management, SkyBeach Resort
Allie Singer, vice president of commercial strategy and asset management at Willner Realty & Development Co., leads the vision and growth behind SkyBeach Resort in St. Petersburg, Florida. With more than 15 years of experience in hospitality, Singer has built a reputation for blending strategic leadership with creativity and community-driven development. Over the past year, Singer has been instrumental in guiding SkyBeach Resort through a major repositioning, which included large-scale renovations; the launch of SkyBeach Marina and the property’s new Mediterranean restaurant, Luma; and expanded lifestyle programming and strategic partnerships that strengthened the resort’s market presence and guest experience. She was recently named a Business Observer 40 Under 40 honoree, which celebrated her as a rising leader shaping the future of Florida’s business and hospitality landscape. Singer’s approach continues to elevate SkyBeach Resort as a community-centered destination while reinforcing the positive impact of women in the industry.
Sunni Stephens, J’Adore
Sunni Stephens is making her stamp on Ocean Drive as the Entertainment Director for J’Adore Miami Beach—the glamorous dinner cabaret and supper club that reimagines the golden era of Ocean Drive, offering an immersive experience featuring live vocals, burlesque, aerial acts and fire dancers—where she oversees all aspects of production including production of the weekly dinner shows, special events and all live entertainment. Her ambition is to be recognized as a multi-faceted entertainer and producer, who stands apart from current music industry leaders. This has fueled many different genres of entertainment including producing and writing music for off-Broadway musicals as well as the internationally acclaimed stage play, The Hip Hop Project; and the award winning sitcom, The Bernie Mac Show. As an executive producer, entertainer and media darling, Stephens mesmerizes audiences with her dynamic blend of pop music and standards, reminiscent of stars from Lena Horne to Diana Ross. She loves taking great music from yesteryear and re-inventing it for today’s audience, always giving them something they won’t expect but will find irresistible.
Ginger Flesher-Sonnier, Founder, THRōW Social®
Ginger Flesher-Sonnier is a fearless businesswoman bringing her creativity, operational savvy and hands-on leadership to Miami with THRōW Social®, a 35,000-square-foot interactive venue at the former Oasis Wynwood. Every element of the space, from VIP cabanas and LED game tables to a 28-foot performance LED wall and fluid indoor-outdoor lounges, was conceived and designed by Flesher-Sonnier, creating a playful, immersive environment where dining, games and live entertainment collide. As founder and CEO of The Ginger Brands®, she has built a national portfolio of first-to-market “eatertainment” concepts, including Escape Room Live® and Kick Axe Throwing®. A former high school math teacher, Flesher-Sonnier pivoted from the classroom to hospitality, transforming her love of strategy, design and experience-driven storytelling into a multimillion-dollar empire.
Nicole Hernandez, Lead Visionary, Landmark Experiences
Nicole Hernandez is the driving force behind Landmark Experiences, blending creative direction with operational precision to bring ambitious, large-scale events to life—on time, on brand and on the ground. With over a decade at Elior North America and nearly three years expanding Landmark’s national footprint, Hernandez has launched exclusive operations in South Florida and now leads events nationwide. From pitch to production, she curates local partnerships, builds kitchens from the ground up, and shapes menus that reflect a true sense of place. Her process is rooted in storytelling and designed for scale. Whether channeling the flavors of Arthur Avenue at a botanical garden in the Bronx or adding a Colombian twist to concessions in Los Angeles, Hernandez ensures every element is intentional and executable. A first-generation Cuban American raised in Miami, she brings cultural fluency, culinary depth and a passion for precision to every project—proving that hospitality at scale can still feel personal, grounded, and real.
Business
Biana Murnane, President and CEO, BrightStar Credit Union
Named one of South Florida Business Journal’s “Influential Business Women” of 2024, Biana Murnane is president and CEO of BrightStar Credit Union, one of the largest and fastest-growing credit unions in South Florida. A seasoned leader in financial services, Murnane has been with BrightStar for nearly three decades. She has been a catalyst for change and growth at the organization, overseeing everything from finances to overall operations. Thanks to Murnane’s strategic leadership, hard work and unwavering commitment, Brightstar has experienced tremendous growth with almost $1 billion in assets and over 61,000 members.
Sara Becnel, President, Sandestin Investments, LLC and Managing Partner, The Agency NW Florida Beaches, The Agency Madrid
Sara Becnel is a powerhouse real estate developer and brokerage leader whose career was forged on job sites long before the boardroom. Growing up alongside her father, renowned developer Tom Becnel, in a pink hard hat, Sara learned the business from the ground up. With a degree in economics from Rollins College, an early career spanning retail leadership and business ownership, and executive roles at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, she built a reputation for precision, vision and results—overseeing everything from boutique remodels to multimillion-dollar resort renovations. Her hands-on expertise led to founding SLB Renovations and Design and helping deliver Osprey Pointe and the acclaimed Hotel Effie. In 2023, Sara was promoted to president of Sandestin Investments LLC, and by 2024, she became the majority owner of Sandestin Real Estate, spearheading its strategic rebrand with global luxury firm The Agency. Sara now leads The Agency NW Florida Beaches as managing partner, expanding its presence along the Emerald Coast.