Puerto Rican Latina Fashion Director, Teacher and Charitable Events
Meet Sheila Walden a 2016 Hispanic Woman of Distinction, Director of Fashion, The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale
“The Hispanic woman plays a major role in society, one that is breaking down walls and permits other minorities to take on leadership roles.”- Sheila Walden, Director of Fashion, The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale
Like her idol, Carolina Herrera, Sheila Walden, has devoted her life to the world of fashion. Sheila earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Fashion Design at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, her Master of Art in Design and Media Management at Miami International University of Art and Design and now a graduating candidate for her EdD in Organizational Leadership from Argosy University.
Sheila uses her role as Director of Fashion at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale (Ai) not only to help showcase her students’ talent but also to benefit several community non-profits.
By partnering with various charities she’s been able to give design challenges to her students to go along with various fundraising themes and the fashion events of the students’ efforts which also help raise monies for organizations such as the American Lung Association, the Humane Society, the American Heart Association, the Light of the World Clinic and many more.
However charitable fashion takes on many different styles. Sheila, whose heritage is Puerto Rican, works with underprivileged Hispanic young ladies to create prom dresses for their final childhood dance. Other events produce a clothing drive to benefit homeless youth, while still another supplies footwear to disadvantaged children in third world countries.
Sheila also works on more commercial fashion ventures that benefit her students such as the New York and Fort Lauderdale Fashion Weeks, America’s Next Top Model and Project Runway (where local designer and Ai graduate, Mitchell Perry, gained notice).
She has won high praise and accolades from numerous organizations but her biggest rewards come from the students whose lives she has forever changed.
Sheila’s husband, Marcus, works in Quality Control for Vertex. The couple are the parents of two girls, ages 11 and 4 and two boys, ages 8 and 6.
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Meet Barbara “Barb” Burnette 2016 Hispanic Woman of Distiction
Latinas in South Florida to Be Honored for Community, Culture and Charity
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In the coming weeks Latin Business Today will we share the amazing stories of the 2016 Hispanic Women of Distinction Honorees.
For more information, visit Hispanic Women Of Distinction or (954) 709-1622.
