Meet The Board of Directors
Executive Director
Damaris Aguiar immigrated from Cienfuegos, Cuba, to Miami at age 12, and has lived there for two decades.
She earned a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and Marketing with a focus in Finance from Florida International University, where she served as secretary of the Honors Society of the American Marketing Association and was a Dean’s list student. Her commitment to community service earned her the Medallion of Distinction for Civic Engagement and recognition as the "Youngest Volunteer of the Year" at Philanthroguia in 2015. She also volunteers as a style consultant at Dress for Success Miami.
With over 15 years of experience in the fashion and beauty pageant industry, Damaris has competed in and directed pageants like Miss Miami USA and Miss Supranational Cuba. Since 2013, she has been Assistant Director for the Miss America Organization and is now Executive Director of the Miss Miami Scholarship Program and Miss Cuba Teen Pageant. In 2012, she founded DAMA School and Agency to teach modeling, beauty, and etiquette to young women, producing events for Miami Swim Week, New York Fashion Week, and MACY’S. As a community leader and board member of FemCity Miami Beach, Damaris is committed to projects that empower women in her community.
Logistics Director
Isabela is a skilled policy and administration professional with experience in both private and public sectors in Washington D.C., Miami, and South Korea. As the Director of Public Policy at United Way Miami, she advocates for underserved communities in areas like financial stability, education, and health.
Previously, Isabela held leadership roles at Carnival Cruise Line and Florida International University’s Honors College. She holds a Bachelor’s in Biological Science, a Master’s in Public Administration focused on Emergency Management from FIU, and a Policy Management certificate from the University of Seoul. A Leadership Miami Program alumna, she now serves on the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce’s Government Affairs Committee.
Passionate about mentoring young women, Isabela serves on the board of the Miss Miami Scholarship Competition and has judged pageants like Miss Tampa and Miss Cuba. She volunteers extensively in South Florida, focusing on homelessness and food insecurity. Additionally, she serves as Secretary to the Neighborhood Improvement Committee in Miami Lakes, Vice Chair of the Domestic Violence Oversight Board for Miami-Dade County, and Chair of the Advocacy and Community Engagement Committee.
Business Manager
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.
Spokesperson
Stephanie Hernandez, a Miami native now living in Boca Raton, Florida, is a Digital Marketing Specialist with a Master’s from Florida International University and over eight years of experience. She’s passionate about building community through digital platforms and currently works with a Fortune 200 renewable energy company, empowering young professionals to pursue their dreams.
With 25 years in dance and modeling, Stephanie has performed on stages like the Miami Heat Halftime show, Miss Florida Pageant, and Miami Swim Week, even featuring in British Vogue. As a former Miss America Organization titleholder, she represented South Florida as Miss FIU 2016, Miss Miami 2017, and Miss Florida Everglades 2018, achieving 1st runner-up in Miss Florida as the first Latina in that role since 1998.
Now, she mentors young women on the Miss Miami Scholarship Pageant Board. In her free time, Stephanie enjoys traveling with her husband, serving her church, doing DIY projects, and spending time at the beach with family and friends.
Judges Chair
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.
Candidate Development Director
Karem Zafra is a published Author and International Best Seller “Voices”. Karem’s passion is serving people to step into their own light. She says, “It is your God giving birthright to live a life on your highest terms”. Her curiosity in personal growth began over 10 years ago while she was still in the field of Conflict Resolution specializing in Family and Circuit Court mediation throughout the State of Florida. In 2018 life took a turn for her and she further dove into deep personal growth.
Karem closed her mediation practice and launched her coaching career. She is now the Founder of Next Level Consulting also known as 'Mindful With Karem'. In 2020 Karem was featured in Debra Wallace Silver Lining Story. An article on how business owners pivoted during the pandemic. https://patch.com/pennsylvania/philadelphia/how-philadelphia-business-owners-pivoted-during-pandemic.
In March 2021 she launched her podcast “Ignite Your Purpose” Karem believes our story is someone else’s story and what better way to be inspired and take a step forward. Her Podcast is available in all platforms. She is also a Global Member of a woman’s international organization called FEMCITY and a board member for the Miami & Palm Beach Chapters. You can find her in all social media Platforms through this link https://linktr.ee/MindfulwithKarem
Production Director
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.
Educational Counsel Chair
Dr. Tania Abouzeide is the Lead Consultant & Founder of Way Finder Educational Consulting. With over 15 years of professional experience, she specializes in the comprehensive college admissions process, academic advising and one-on-one coaching to college-bound students.
Dr. Abouzeide is a professor of higher education at Florida International University and Southern New Hampshire University. She has held leadership positions in student affairs, admissions, and academic advising departments at public and private universities. Dr. Abouzeide is dedicated to assisting students secure post-secondary educational opportunities, while incorporating personal well-being practices.
“Supporting your journey through education and personal well-being” - Dr. Tania Abouzeide
PR & Media director
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.