Latina Cuban- American CEO, Author, Philanthropist

Meet JANET LORENZO-GARCIA, 2026 Hispanic Woman of Distinction, CEO and Founder of Garcia Lorenzo & Associates / Many Happy Hearts

“My story is the story of many Hispanic women: it is built on faith, family, resilience, and hard work. When we lead with compassion and livewith purpose, success is not an achievement, it is a legacy”

Janet Lorenzo-Garcia, Cuban-born, immigrated in exile to Miami, fleeing to the United States with her mother and two olderbrothers at the age of four, leaving behind her beloved island and father. She is a respected insurance professional, philanthropist, author, community advocate, mother, and grandmother whose life’s work has been rooted in service, compassion, and leadership.

Beginning her insurance career at just 19 years old, while attending Miami Dade Community College, Janet built a decade- long legacy in the insurance industry holding many important positions, establishing the Professional Association of Insurance Latin Women in 1991, Editor and Director of the Latin American Insurance Agents Association Newsletter, from 2015 to 2020, and Owner Operator Founder of her own insurance agency and Aflac broker, with her husband Jose, Garcia Lorenzo & Associates, since 1992, with dedication, integrity, and a strong commitment to helping families and businesses protect what matters most.

In 2005, Janet and Jose began their community work by giving back to the Miami school district’s lower-income schools, via different initiatives, turkey drives, toy drives, and fundraising when needed, nurturing close relationships in the Miami-Dade County School Board and community leaders. In 2007, Janet co-founded with her husband, Jose, Many Happy Hearts, a nonprofit organization devoted to bringing joy, dignity, and hope to children and families experiencing homelessness, high-risk situations, and hardships, fulfilling a lifelong desire to be active and involve their children in community. Through monthlybirthday celebrations, annual holiday events, annual back to school sneaker drives, Friendsgiving events for the children,monthly soccer classes, and ongoing outreach at Chapman Partnership and in other local organizations, Janet has helpedcreate meaningful and lasting experiences for countless families in need; extending to other organizations such as The Red Shoe Society of The Ronald McDonald House Charities, Women of Chapman Partnership, as she continues to advocate for women, families, and children facing unimaginably difficult circumstances. In addition to serving as Chair and Co-Chair, hostcommittees for women’s causes, empowerment events, and fundraising for those in need.

An enthusiastic reader, storyteller, and believer in leaving a meaningful legacy, Janet has co-authored a children’s book inspired by her and her husband’s difficult childhood experiences. Written from a child’s perspective, The Story of the Many Happy Hearts focuses on resilience, life choices, how to handle difficult situations for children, compassion, and the power of hope, encouraging children to navigate life with empathy, courage, heart, and to never give up, no matter the circumstances.

As the proud mother and grandmother of a beloved blended family, Janet believes her greatest accomplishment is herfamily, as found in the relationships she has nurtured, the community she serves, and the lives that enriched hers, as shefulfills her life’s purpose which is to lead with an open heart, inspire others to service, and leave a legacy of kindness and hope forfuture generations.

The 25th Hispanic Women of Distinction  charity luncheon and business expo

The 25th annual Hispanic Women of Distinction charity luncheon and business expo will take place Friday, Aug. 21, 2026, at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, marking a milestone year honoring Latina leadership across South Florida. Founded in 2001 by the late Erwin M. Vasquez, M.D., a Venezuelan-born cardiologist and publisher of El Heraldo de Broward, alongside his wife, Elaine Miceli-Vasquez, the program was established to recognize Latinas whose leadership, service and professional success continue to shape the region.

Over the past 25 years, the initiative has grown into one of South Florida’s most recognized platforms celebrating Latina achievement across business, government, health care and community service. “The remarkable Latinas I have met over the past 25 years have created a true sisterhood — supporting one another in business, community service, and in preserving and sharing their culture and traditions,” said Miceli-Vasquez, producer and co-founder. “Our Dos Culturas reception brings together past and current honorees, reinforcing those connections year after year.”

The annual sold-out luncheon draws approximately 1,000 attendees in partnership with Nicklaus Children’s Health System, the region’s only licensed health care system exclusively for children. More than 30 corporate and media partners support the event. Latin Business Today, a longtime media co-sponsor, features honorees through dedicated editorial coverage. Each year, a charitable organization benefits from proceeds generated through the event’s silent auction, raffles, sponsorships and advertising. The 2026 beneficiary is the American Lung Association, which works to improve lung health, prevent lung disease and advance clean air initiatives nationwide.

2026 honorees: Selected from more than 60 nominations across Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties:

• Jacqueline Ceballos — Founder, Petal Cartel by JC (Miami-Dade)
• Maria Jose Haimovitch — Senior manager, communications, Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance (Broward)
• Michelle Harper —Esq, Florida Legal Services Inc. (Broward)
• Alex Llerena — Managing director, alumni engagement, Emory University (Broward)
• Martha Guerra-Kattou — Executive vice president, sales and marketing, US Century Bank (Broward)
• Janet Lorenzo-Garcia — Garcia Lorenzo & Associates; Founder, Many Happy Hearts (Miami-Dade)
• Griselle Marino, Dr. h.c. — Director, Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board, Office of Community Advocacy, Miami-Dade County Government (Miami-Dade)
• Cristina Martinez-Gonzalez — Field marketing executive MarketPoint Humana Inc. (Broward)
• Maria C. Mejia, M.D. — Professor, Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University (Palm Beach)
• Maria Alejandra Membreno — Chief of staff, city of Sweetwater (Miami-Dade)
• Michelle “Mish” Pelaez — Chief operating officer, Mark, Ferrer & Hayden PLLC (Miami-Dade)
• Nercy Barroso Radcliffe — President and founder, Providence Healthcare Services (Miami-Dade)
• Soraya Rivera-Moya — Executive director, Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Florida (Miami-Dade)

2026 Latina Pioneer of the Year

Rosanna Cordero-Stutz, sheriff of Miami-Dade County. With more than 29 years in law enforcement, she is the first Hispanic American woman sheriff in Florida’s history. The achievements of this year’s honorees underscore the continued advancement of Latinas in leadership roles, despite longstanding barriers in professional and civic spaces. The event will feature a complimentary cocktail sponsored by Tito’s Vodka, live entertainment, a business expo, silent auction and a tribute recognizing more than 350 honorees since the program’s inception. Sponsorships begin at $1,500, and individual tickets are $125.

For more information visit: Hispanic Women of Distinction or email

 Gran celebración del 25.º aniversario de Hispanic Women of Distinction:
almuerzo benéfico y expo empresarial

Comunidad • Cultura • Filantropía

El 25.º aniversario del almuerzo benéfico y expo empresarial Hispanic Women of Distinction se llevará a cabo el viernes 21 de agosto de 2026 en el Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino en Hollywood, Florida, marcando un año emblemático en reconocimiento al liderazgo latino femenino en el sur de Florida. Fundado en 2001 por el fallecido Erwin M. Vasquez, M.D., cardiólogo venezolano y editor del periódico El Heraldo de Broward, junto a su esposa Elaine Miceli-Vasquez, el programa fue creado para reconocer a mujeres latinas cuyo liderazgo, servicio y logros profesionales continúan impactando positivamente a la comunidad. A lo largo de 25 años, la iniciativa se ha consolidado como una de las plataformas más reconocidas del sur de Florida para destacar el talento y la trayectoria de mujeres latinas en los sectores empresarial, gubernamental, de salud y comunitario.

“Las extraordinarias mujeres latinas que he conocido durante estos 25 años han creado una verdadera hermandad, apoyándose en los negocios, el servicio comunitario y en la preservación de sus culturas y tradiciones,” expresó Miceli-Vasquez, productora y cofundadora. “Nuestra recepción privada Dos Culturas reúne a homenajeadas de años anteriores y actuales, fortaleciendo esos lazos.” El evento anual, que tradicionalmente se presenta con entradas agotadas y reúne a aproximadamente 1,000 asistentes, es presentado por Latina Style Inc., líder nacional en el desarrollo empresarial de mujeres hispanas, en alianza con Nicklaus Children’s Health System, el único sistema de salud pediátrico con licencia especializada en la región. Más de 30 socios corporativos y medios de comunicación respaldan este evento. Latin Business Today, copatrocinador de larga trayectoria, presenta perfiles editoriales de las homenajeadas cada año.

Como parte del evento, se selecciona una organización benéfica beneficiaria de los fondos recaudados a través de subastas silenciosas, rifas, patrocinios y publicidad. En 2026, la organización beneficiaria será la American Lung Association, cuya misión es mejorar la salud pulmonar, prevenir enfermedades respiratorias y promover aire limpio para todos.

Homenajeadas 2026:

Seleccionadas entre más de 60 nominaciones de los condados de Miami-Dade, Broward y Palm Beach:

• Jacqueline Ceballos — Fundadora, Petal Cartel by JC (Miami-Dade)
• Maria Jose Haimovitch — Gerente senior de comunicaciones, Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance (Broward)
• Michelle Harper — Abogada, Florida Legal Services Inc. (Broward)
• Alex Llerena — Director gerente, participación de exalumnos, Emory University (Broward)
• Martha Guerra-Kattou — Vicepresidenta ejecutiva de ventas y mercadeo, US Century Bank (Broward)
• Janet Lorenzo-Garcia — Fundadora, Many Happy Hearts (Miami-Dade)
• Griselle Marino, Dr. h.c. — Directora, Junta Asesora de Asuntos Hispanos, Oficina de Participación Comunitaria, Gobierno del Condado Miami-Dade (Miami-Dade)
• Cristina Martinez-Gonzalez — Ejecutiva de mercadeo de campo, Humana Inc. (Broward)
• Maria C. Mejia, M.D. — Profesora de salud poblacional, Florida Atlantic University (Palm Beach)
• Maria Alejandra Membreno — Jefa de gabinete, ciudad de Sweetwater (Miami-Dade)
• Michelle “Mish” Pelaez — Directora de operaciones, Mark, Ferrer & Hayden, PLLC (Miami-Dade)
• Nercy Barroso Radcliffe — Presidenta y fundadora, Providence Healthcare Services (Miami-Dade)
• Soraya Rivera-Moya — Directora ejecutiva, Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Florida (Miami-Dade)

 Latina pionera del año 2026

Rosanna Cordero-Stutz, alguacil del condado Miami-Dade Con más de 29 años de experiencia en el orden público, es la primera mujer hispanoamericana en ocupar el cargo de alguacil en la historia de Florida. Los logros de las homenajeadas reflejan el avance continuo de las mujeres latinas en posiciones de liderazgo, a pesar de los desafíos históricos en el ámbito profesional y cívico. El evento incluirá un cóctel de bienvenida cortesía de Tito’s Vodka, entretenimiento en vivo, expo empresarial, subasta silenciosa y un homenaje especial a más de 350 mujeres reconocidas desde la creación del programa. Los patrocinios comienzan en $1,500 y las entradas individuales tienen un costo de $125.

Para más información, visite: For more information visit: Hispanic Women of Distinction

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