|

Latina Dominican American First Female Dade County Sheriff

by Elaine Vasquez

Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz

Meet Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz, 2026 Hispanic Woman of Distinction, LATINA PIONEER of the YEAR, Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office

“I am deeply grateful to the women in law enforcement who broke barriers and paved the way for future generations. Their courage and dedication make me especially proud to serve as the first female sheriff of the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office and the first Hispanic woman elected sheriff in the state of Florida.”

Miami-Dade CountyOn Nov. 5, 2024, Miami-Dade County voters elected Rosie Cordero-Stutz as sheriff, making her the first woman and first Hispanic person elected to the office. A proud Dominican American and the daughter of immigrants, Sheriff Rosie credits her parents for instilling the values of hard work and service that inspired her law enforcement career.

Her 30-year career began as a patrol officer in the Northside District before advancing through investigative and supervisory assignments, including the Priority Response Unit, Robbery Intervention Detail, Internal Affairs, and Homicide Bureau. In 2020, she was promoted to Division Chief of North Operations, overseeing multiple police districts and helping lead operations during the COVID-19 pandemic, periods of civil unrest, and the 2021 Surfside condominium collapse. She later served as Assistant Director of Support Services and Investigative Services.

As sheriff, she has prioritized public safety, transparency, and modernization. Her administration expanded the Public Corruption Section, added specialized investigators, and launched reporting tools to combat condominium and homeowners association fraud targeting seniors and vulnerable residents. Under her leadership, Miami-Dade County has experienced reductions in homicides, shootings, violent crimes, and property crimes.

Sheriff Rosie holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Marist College and a master’s degree in public administration from Florida International University. She is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, FBI National Executive Institute, the Florida Police Chiefs Association STARS program, and the Police Executive Leadership Institute. In 2025, she served as president of the Florida Chapter of the FBI National Academy Associates. Her honors include the 2025 President’s Award from the Florida League of Prosecutors, recognition in the U.S. Congressional Record, induction into the Miami-Dade County Women’s Hall of Fame, and being named Hispanic Women of Distinction’s 2026 Latina Pioneer of the Year.

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:

Homenajeadas 2026
2026 Hispanic Women of Distinction

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

 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

Related content:

Medicine was his dream. Helping the poor was his passion.

Latinas in South Florida to Be Honored for Community, Culture and Charity

Empty alt attribute
Short alt text: HWD

RELATED POSTS

Latina Venezuelan American Strategist, Community Builder

Latina Venezuelan American Strategist, Community Builder

Jacqueline Ceballos

Latina Cuban-Born Latina Entrepreneur, Designer & Philanthropist

JANET LORENZO-GARCIA

Latina Cuban- American CEO, Author, Philanthropist