Inspiring Ladies of Legacy Leaders

The annual South Dade Chamber of Commerce Ladies Of Legacy Leadership Luncheon was Thursday, March 20th, 2025, held at the Miccosukee Casino & Resort to another sold-out crowd.

Yordy Rivero, with HR Benefits and the current South Dade Chamber of Commerce Chair, welcomed guests and briefly outlined the program, which included an invocation by Chaplain (Major) Sarah Parris.

Miccosukee Casino & Resort General Manager Brad Rhines introduced the facility. Sponsors and selected others were also acknowledged before the central part of the event. Lucia Soria, owner and President of Ram-Tech Construction, served as moderator for the six-member panel of notable women.

Soria, a longtime National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) member, and ardent agriculture advocate had held numerous leadership roles in multiple organizations. Among the organizations she supports is PATCHES, PPEC, whose Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Azona "Kyle" Smith, was a panelist.

PATCHES, "a place where miracles happen every day," is a unique medical facility established in 2000 to provide daycare for medically complex children to "positively impact the lives of the of the littlest, weakest, and sickest children of South Dade" while also bringing invaluable service to parents.

In a spectrum of business, civic, and non-profit role models, Cristina Pelaez, Attorney/Owner of Pelaez Maas Law and Miami native, has impressive credentials in the practice of Real Estate, Estate Planning, and Business Law. She represents domestic and foreign individuals and entities, developing personalized approaches to her clients' needs. 

Julie Romero - Regional Area Manager, SouthState Bank - whose banking career and civic/community involvement are well-known in South Dade, has been with Community Bank, subsequent transitions into CenterState, and now SouthState Bank. She has served in numerous leadership positions, including the past chair of the Chamber of Commerce and the past chair of the Homestead Kiwanis Club. She is also active in the St. Louis Catholic Church. 

Michelle Shirley, CEO of Be Strong International, began with the non-profit organization in 2005 as a program and office manager. Her astute, multi-discipline skills have significantly enhanced the annual budget and earned her recognition as a frontline leader in the community, a champion for optimal workplace culture, and a mentor. 

Francesca de Quesada Covey, Chief Innovation and Economic Development Officer, Miami-Dade County, started her career in finance and was later selected to serve in the Obama era White House to collaborate with the business community. After moving to Miami, she began advising Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava in 2021 on the development of the local technology sector.

Suzanne Jewel, CEO of Patch of Heaven Sanctuary, came from a high-pressure, global television executive position and has created a center for peaceful mindfulness within the 20-acre forest preserve and nature sanctuary. With more than 60,000 visitors over the past three years, she understands and promotes nature's calming effect for those who need time for relaxation and reflection.

Before the luncheon, Soria sent panel members a list of questions, although they did not tell the individuals which questions they would be responding to. In keeping with the familiar format and being conscious of time, each insightful answer was succinct.

In leading off with what situation in her life inspired her, Michelle Shirley's early experiences growing up with domestic abuse clarified within her a desire to help others overcome similar environments.

For Francesca de Quesada Covey, perhaps her most significant challenge was having a fantastic mother who could do everything simultaneously. She learned prioritizing is key to accomplishing many tasks and achieving goals with a balance between work, family, and self-care.

Suzanne Jewel quickly listed the three qualities that allowed her to succeed: faith, courage, and consistency. They all agreed when Soria commented on having patience as another.

Azona "Kyle" Smith told a heart-rending story of a little girl who died when unable to receive timely medical treatment to explain her response of "to see every child provided for" when asked about the legacy she desired to be known for. She spoke passionately about ensuring "forgotten children" were taken care of.

Julie Romero's role model of a father told her she could do anything, whether big or small. A mentor at work reinforced his guidance, and she readily embraced recognizing opportunities around her for growth.

Cristina Pelaez didn't hesitate to talk about the three strengths of her career: determination, empathy, and patience. In times, when she was told she couldn't do something, her determination was exhibited with, "Stand by and watch."

The second round of questions drew more excellent comments about managing work/life balance, avoiding burnout, advice about what to look for in a mentor, biggest surprises encountered in a career, best piece of leadership advice received, advice to young women wanting to start a business or organization; what advice to give your 17-year-old self; the single most significant barrier to women becoming leaders; and identifying two things you would have done differently. Shirley immediately said she would have done nothing differently in that final question.

Having experienced burnout, Jewel embraced nature's peace and strives to make Patch of Heaven that venue for others. Romero explained that networking is everything and passed on her early mentor's advice, "Be like water."

What? If a stone is placed in the path of water, the water goes under, around, or over it, finding a way forward.

De Quesada Covey soon learned a lot of people don't know what they're doing and make it up as they go along. Shirley also cited a mentor's words, "the graveyard is filled with people who didn't do things they meant to," and following the path of others doesn't always work.

Smith proved that when you see something that needs to be done, do it. You may know it's hard, but it's possible. Once again, there were nods of agreement to the assertion, "There's a difference between being nice and being kind."

To be a leader, you must accept that not everyone will like you. The essence of other comments was: don't bring problems to your boss; bring solutions; decide where you want to go; learn what you need to be able to do so; and take those steps; and the person who you are is a result of adversity.

Attendees could take away experiences they share in their careers or some that may occur in the future. For more information about SDCC, go to https://southdade chamber.org; Email: sdccinfo@southdade chamber.org; Tel: (305) 247-2332