Mihaela Plugarasu, M.S., is an award-nominated teaching professor in the Global Strategic Communications master’s program at Florida International University. Plugarasu is an educator and practitioner with more than 15 years of branding, leadership and personal development & self-growth experience. She is a dynamic facilitator, moderator and presenter on empowering topics related to social media, communication & leadership and conscious living. In addition to her work at FIU and with U.S.-based non-profits, she has led seminars and courses at the University of Palermo in Palermo, Italy and the Universidad Argentina de la Empresa in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Prior to joining the faculty, Plugarasu served as the director of strategic initiatives & communications at FIU’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management, where she led all communications, including the school’s marketing, advertising, web and social media and public relations. Plugarasu also works with diverse families and organizations in Miami teaching parents the basics of brain development in children and how to promote emotional safety in their families. She is the 1-st and only Certified Instructor in Florida to teach Parenting by Connection/ Hand in Hand Parenting. Her signature program, The Conscious Parent Accelerator, brings self- awareness, trauma-integration, healing and transformation, to families all around the world.

Leticia is a Senior sales management professional with more than 15 years managing Global 2000 customers. She has a consistent track record of revenue producing achievements and awards. She is a superior negotiating and people manager skills on complex deal agreements. Her expertise include market entry, partner/channel management, lead generation, recruiting and managing remote teams. Her areas of expertise include: IT & Cyber Security Solutions Enterprise Sales & Management Business Development and Marketing Go To Market Strategies Channel Recruitment & Development Partner Programs Account Management Customer Retention Managing Remote Teams Latin America markets

Mihaela Plugarasu, M.S., is an award-nominated teaching professor in the Global Strategic Communications master’s program at Florida International University. Plugarasu is an educator and practitioner with more than 15 years of branding, leadership and personal development & self-growth experience. She is a dynamic facilitator, moderator and presenter on empowering topics related to social media, communication & leadership and conscious living. In addition to her work at FIU and with U.S.-based non-profits, she has led seminars and courses at the University of Palermo in Palermo, Italy and the Universidad Argentina de la Empresa in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Prior to joining the faculty, Plugarasu served as the director of strategic initiatives & communications at FIU’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management, where she led all communications, including the school’s marketing, advertising, web and social media and public relations. Plugarasu also works with diverse families and organizations in Miami teaching parents the basics of brain development in children and how to promote emotional safety in their families. She is the 1-st and only Certified Instructor in Florida to teach Parenting by Connection/ Hand in Hand Parenting. Her signature program, The Conscious Parent Accelerator, brings self- awareness, trauma-integration, healing and transformation, to families all around the world.

As an example of leadership, positivity, and resilience, Olga González Plessmann has shown us that we can achieve all our dreams. She founded, along with her sister, Mariana, the avant-garde and innovative company known as Moda Hydraulica. The fashion enterprise is a 100% Venezuelan brand dedicated to creating original, quality swimwear and beachwear with handcrafted details for the whole family. At Moda Hydraulica, they strive to tailor and adapt the taste of their customers, giving the businesses an essence of originality and unparalleled modernism over the years. As Creative Director of the company, Olga is always thinking about the next strategy to give a new perspective to all the pieces she creates. Olga is a woman leader, full of goals and dreams that she gradually fulfills due to her commitment and positive energy. However, several obstacles in the last few years have required a lot of faith and hope to continue achieving her dreams. At Olga's session, you will learn how powerful our INNER STRENGTHis in our lives and how we can change our reality through a positive attitude, transforming energy, and a heart full of dreams and goals.

Event

Experienced results-driven Business Development expert with successful 24 years within the sales, nonprofit management, financial services, and educational sectors. Superior abilities in leadership, communication, strategic planning, sales execution, fund development and project management. Expertise in leading high performing diverse teams, developing and executing innovative business growth plans and providing exceptional client services resulting in retention and loyalty.

Vanessa Yepez is a successful Senior Engineer for Johnson and Johnson for the Product Issue Escalation & Field Actions team. Vanessa supports both TECA (Trauma, Extremities, CMF and Animal) and Power Tools organizations investigating product non-conformances, safety signals, complaint trends, and other product issues impacting field inventory; utilize investigation results for evaluation of medical and regulatory compliance risks to identify if field action is recommended. Most recently, Vanessa held the position of Process Quality Engineer within the Quality Operations department of Depuy Synthes Power Tools. Within this role, she supported and led cross-functional teams working on cost improvement projects, and supported Manufacturing Engineering in the creation of travelers, routes, bills of material, print changes, and specifications for in-house manufacturing. Additionally, helped write and contributed in the review process and product validation protocols and reports, equipment qualifications, engineeri

Patricia (Pat) Murphy; MS is the Chief Relations Officer at United Community Options of South Florida.(UCO) Pat has held numerous roles at UCO including Executive Director and Chief Program Officer over the past 3 decades. Pat’s enthusiasm for her work, which expands 30 years as a leader at UCO has made her an enterprising role model in the community with an impressive history of team building, staff training and staff development. Her ability to motivate and inspire staff along with her vast program knowledge has contributed to enhancing the lives of thousands adults and children with developmental disabilities in the South Florida community. Pat has a track record of efficiency, establishing partnerships, growing organizational visibility and driving advocacy. Her oversight of UCO’s 13 million dollar budget has recently included a new Behavior Focus Respite Program.

From an early age, she has had the pleasure of working with great professionals and mentors who guided her toward her future. Originally from Brazil, Elisa Ball started her career as a volunteer for various human resources programs. Once she came over the United States through a masters program, she made it through the culture, language, and professional barriers to continue her career at a few startups. Through her experiences and learning challenges, she has risen through the ranks at Fortinet to lead a diverse, awarded, and global team. Overall, it wasn't easy to adapt to a new country and culture, but it was possible because she knew what she wanted. It has been a great journey. The great experiences, learning challenges, and opportunities have been fulfilling for her, and she has always found the freedom to do more.

Vanessa Valentin, often referred to as "the voice whisperer," was named affectionately for her ability to see and bring out untapped strengths in her students. She founded Rising Starz Music and Performance Academy in 2007 to unlock the confidence in students through the arts.Sought-after for her strong technical training in Performance, Musical Theatre, Pop and Classical music, this mother of two and active member of her community has directed her students in over 100 performance showcases and musical productions. This entrepreneur is an Artist Developer, Vocal and Performance Coach, Music Therapist, and Program Director. Valentin helps students open doors of opportunity by creating unique experiences for them that you won’t find anywhere else. Valentin volunteers and chairs for various non-profit and community organizations and she encourages her students to use their performance talents to give back to others.The achievements of her students are a testament to her program’s success. Rising Starz students debuted with rave reviews in the NYC Broadway Cabaret, Live The Dream, at the West End Lounge in NYC with star Natalie Weiss. Valentin’s studio also premiered Legends, a full-scale music and dance showcase aboard the Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas. Credentials. Valentin began her career as a recording artist in 2000, signed with Universal Music Group and Max Music. She has performed on various stages, television and radio shows throughout the U.S. and held leading roles in musical productions throughout South Florida with the Actor's Playhouse, Stage Door Theatre, and Hollywood Playhouse. She earned her SAG membership in 2006 for her work in national and international commercials and voice overs for companies like Honda and Pantene. Education. This native New Yorker received her BM in Music Therapy at the University of Miami with a concentration in Musical Theatre and Vocal Performance. She also graduated from the prestigious LaGuardia H.S. of Music & Art and Performing Arts in NYC. Vanessa is a member of NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing), TVF (The Voice Foundation), and the AMTA (American Music Therapy Association). She is recognized for her outstanding leadership abilities, coaching skills and her commitment to community.Valentin also holds relationships with several casting agencies, and leading Arts Mentors in Florida, New York City and Los Angeles. She assists students by providing industry counsel, as well as access to industry opportunities when appropriate.

Patricia Arboleda is a successful Executive, Leadership, and Career Coach dedicated to helping driven women accelerate their success, taking their careers to the next level. She is the CEO and Founder of Arboleda Coaching, a company she started to pursue her passion of enabling women to connect with their power, develop confidence, and burst through the barriers and into the career and life they truly want. Through her coaching programs, Patricia helps women develop a winning mindset, expand their leadership skills, create more impact, and set themselves apart with real, lasting results. Patricia is a culturally diverse Latina who brings extensive leadership experience to her practice. Prior to becoming a Certified Coach, she was a successful Senior Executive at a Fortune 500 company, with over 25 years of general management, sales, and marketing experience. Patricia has built a reputation of being a high-performing leader throughout her career, focused on developing her team members to be the best version of themselves. Patricia is a Certified Executive Coach through an ACTP institution and a John Maxwell Certified Leadership Coach, Speaker, and Trainer. She also got a certificate from Cornell University on Women's Leadership. In addition, she has a bachelor's in Industrial Engineering from the University of Illinois in Chicago and a Certificate in Strategic Leadership from Columbia Business School.