MEET THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Damaris Aguiar, recognized for her unwavering determination, immigrated from Cienfuegos, Cuba, to Miami at the age of 12. She has proudly called Miami her home for the past two decades.

Damaris achieved academic excellence with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Marketing, specializing in Finance from Florida International University (FIU). She demonstrated her leadership abilities as the secretary of the Honors Society of the American Marketing Association and earned a place on the Dean's list. Her commitment to serving the community led to her receiving the Medallion of Distinction for Civic Engagement and being recognized as the "Youngest Volunteer of the Year" at the Philanthroguia 2015 event. Additionally, Damaris generously volunteers her time as a fashion and style consultant at Dress for Success Miami, known globally for empowering women to become economically independent.

Damaris Aguiar boasts extensive experience in the fashion and beauty pageant industry, spanning over 15 years. As a beauty queen, she has achieved success in various pageants, including Miss Miami USA, Miss Carnaval Miami, Miss Intercontinental Cuba, Miss Supranational Cuba, and Reina Hispanoamerica Cuba. She has received numerous special awards and consistently placed as a finalist in local and international competitions. Damaris has been an Assistant Director for the Miss America Organization since 2013 and currently holds the position of Executive Director for the Miss Miami Scholarship Program and the Miss Cuba Teen Pageant.

Damaris's work ethic and perseverance continue to be the driving force in her pursuit of empowering women within her community. In 2012, Damaris established DAMA School and Agency, utilizing her personal savings to create a platform for teaching modeling, beauty pageants, and etiquette to girls and young women. Damaris firmly embraces the significance of a strong work ethic and wholeheartedly dedicates herself to equipping her students and queens with the essential tools for their professional growth and advancement. Her expertise and professionalism have led her to produce events for prestigious occasions like Miami Swim Week, New York Fashion Week, and MACY'S, alongside organizing various local events each year.

Damaris is also a community leader and serves on the board of FemCity Miami Beach, a global business community. Her aspirations involve actively leading projects that empower women to achieve success within her community.

Nicole Cosentino is an innovative branding and digital strategist with extensive experience in Marketing & Advertising. She has made significant contributions to prominent corporations, spanning major cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, Dallas, and Miami. After almost 5 years of launching her successful online fashion boutique, Downtown Chic, Nicole transitioned to founding Chance Digital Agency. With a holistic approach, she offers strategic consulting, content creation, insightful eBooks, and exceptional voice over services to empower individuals and businesses in the digital realm. Passionate about giving back, Nicole volunteers at Dress for Success Miami and serves as an Assistant Director for the Miss Miami Scholarship Program. She also contributes to The Rosales Sisters' Scholarship Program, supporting immigrant and first-generation students. Nicole's educational journey includes an Associate of Arts degree in Merchandise Marketing and a Bachelor of Science in Business Marketing. She furthered her expertise with a Master's in Business Administration, continuously adapting to the ever-changing business landscape.

Amarilis Correa is the owner of Ace Travels, an agency that curates group trips with a focus on immersive cultural experiences and designs trips for individual clients seeking personalized itineraries for their dream destination.  They are dedicated to helping travelers discover and experience the true essence of a destination versus just scratching it off a bucket list. For Amarilis, traveling and experiencing new cultures is her passion.  It’s her belief that experiencing the food, people, customs, art and history of a location will forever change your world perspective and may even change you at your core.  During a time of so much division, it’s her conviction that traveling to learn about how others live and making those human connections globally can provide some healing and ultimately bring us closer.  Amarilis was born and raised in Norwalk, CT but is now a resident of Miami Beach, FL. During her free time she loves to travel, is an avid reader, loves long walks on the beach or getting out on her paddleboard.

Isabela is a seasoned administrator with over a decade of experience spanning Washington D.C., Miami, and South Korea. Isabela holds a Bachelor of Science in Biological Science and a Masters in Public Administration with a certificate in Emergency Management and in Policy Management. She is a graduate of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Miami Program and has served as a faculty fellow at the Honors College at FIU. She serves as the Logistics Director for the Miss Miami Scholarship Competition, which was recently named the 2022 Local Organization of the Year in Florida by the Miss America Organization and as judge in local and international competitions. In her free time, she volunteers her expertise and skills to various organizations in South Florida, including appointments as the Secretary to the Neighborhood Improvement Committee at the Town of Miami Lakes and the Domestic Violence Oversight Board for the Miami-Dade County Board of Commission.

Karla Fortuny is a first-generation Cuban American that specializes in government affairs and public relations. She graduated from the University of Miami with her Master’s in Public Relations after having graduated from FIU with a Bachelor’s in Communications and Miami Dade College with her Associate’s in Mass Communication and Journalism. Karla has a passion for sports and her community. Her previous work experience includes the Miami Super Bowl Host Committee, Inter Miami, the Miami Open, Miami Beach Memorial Day Air and Sea Show and interning for the Florida Panther Hockey Club. Outside of sports, Karla has also garnered experience in government affairs as her current position has her working in the City of Miami as Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla’s Chief of Staff, where she is responsible for a staff of 12+ employees, assisting the commissioner in policy work, setting up community events and handling his communications as she is the office spokesperson. Karla has also dabbled in events and hospitality PR at Brustman Carrino Public Relations and Events by Elle.

Karla is tri-lingual speaking fluent English and Spanish and basic Italian. She loves animals, the ocean and spending time with her family and friends. On her day off, you can find Karla training her Belgian Malinois puppy, Captain, or at the beach reading a good book.

Stephanie Hernandez is a Digital Marketing Specialist with a Masters degree in Marketing from Florida International University who has worked in the industry for over seven years. She is currently a Web Development Project Manager at Florida Power & Light and is passionate about connecting people in a digital world. When she's not building brands and developing business strategies, Stephanie loves being married to her husband, enjoys attending and serving her local church, dancing professionally, modeling in fashion shows, being creative, traveling, spending time with family and friends, and planning events! Her passion for the Miss America Organization stretches far beyond the crown. Her goal is to live a lifestyle that uplifts and empowers young and adult women and men everywhere do what is right, believe in themselves and fervently pursue a life of purpose.

Rosy Muto born in Italy, Raised in New Jersey has become a self made entrepreneur setting  the stage for an intriguing troubadour of ventures that reaches a discerning audience of savvy tastemakers coupled with luxury lifestyle media platforms that elevate her clientele with a sales edge and branding voice. Rosy started her career as a celebrity fashion stylist in Los Angeles, since 2009  to becoming an executive director and event coordinator for multiple fashion weeks nationally and internationally. Since then Rosy established her first company in 2014 JRprosLLC as a creative director.  Rosy's passion for original innovation and intellectual approaches has made her successful. Rosy curates with the utmost attention from inception providing unforgettable experiences in all that she does. Rosy enjoys volunteering as a motivational speaker for students in the fashion industry from Lynn university, Fullerton College, FIDM, Arts institute Miami Dade to her hometown high school speaking during career day. Rosy has been featured in a array of major publications such as Il Quotidiano, Voyage MIA and more making headlines for over a decade now. She is honored to be apart of the Miss Miami Scholarship program a platform that serves a purpose and raises awareness as a production director. Over the years Rosy discovered her life's purpose by helping others with ideas and bringing them to fruition through her vision, passion and drive.

Michelle A. Hernandez is a psychotherapist in private practice. She is specialized in treating trauma and is dedicated to helping children and families with mental health and life issues. Michelle is a seasoned therapist that offers over 20 years of experience obtained in community mental health and private practice settings. She is passionate about advocating for women and children and helping them to see their own worth and move past painful experiences. The focus of her clinical career has been trauma and she has specialized training to include Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy obtained from the University of South Carolina. She also has specialized training, obtained from the University of Oklahoma, in treating children that are experiencing sexual behavior problems. She is an affiliate of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network. She has participated in Spanish radio tackling issues related to children and parenting and has been licensed in the state of Florida since 2011. Michelle is also active in the community and serves on the board for organizations dedicated to empowering women and children.