Puerto Rican Latina Make Strides in Entrepreneurship & Heath
Meet 2024 Hispanic Woman of Distinction Maribel Feliciano, AICP, Assistant Director, Broward County Office of Economic and Small Business Development
“Hispanic women act as the pillars of families and communities. In doing so, we continue to build a strong foundation to represent the value of family in our culture through acts of unity.”
Maribel Feliciano may have been born in Puerto Rico, but ever since moving to the States and particularly South Florida, she has been one of its strongest promoters and biggest fans.
In her position as the Assistant Director of the Office of Economic and Small Business Development Maribel’s focus is to stimulate economic development by attracting, retaining, and expanding targeted industries, including a special focus on small business growth.
She is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the agency including small business certification and compliance, economic development, apprenticeship, international trade, business development, communications and outreach such as supporting Film Lauderdale which encourages movie producers to use our area’s diverse scenic backgrounds and enable them to help with their budgets by offering access to a wide range of local film professionals rather than needing to import the necessary talent.
Maribel has over twenty-seven years of combined public and private sector multidisciplinary experience in comprehensive and land use planning, community and economic development, small business permitting and compliance, community outreach, sustainability, and strategic planning.
Her extensive experience and education with her Master in Urban and Regional Planning from Florida Atlantic University and certification with the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), the Florida Redevelopment Association – Redevelopment Professional, the American Contract Compliance Association, and Cornell University – Women in Leadership make her uniquely qualified for her esteemed position.
A frequent guest speaker and participant at countless corporate, municipal and non-profit conferences, summits, meetings, association gatherings and events promoting our community and cultural diversity, Maribel leads the cheer to bring more business opportunities and culturally diverse unity here.
In 2023, Maribel was recognized for her leadership and support of the business community by the Health Foundation of South Florida with the Inspiring Women of Health award for her work with the South Florida Anchor Alliance focused on creating an inclusive economy, by the Hispanic Entrepreneurship Initiative with the Empowering the American Dream Award for OESBD’s service and support of local entrepreneurs and by the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance with the Partners Council Leadership Award.
The 2024 Honorees are:
MARIBEL FELICIANO – Broward Office of Economic & Small Business Development
MARY SOL GONZALEZ – Hispanic Entrepreneur Initiative
CHRISTINA D/ELOSUA LAMBERT- Chief Adm. Officer Gordon & Partners, WPB City Commissioner
YOLY MAGANA-VALENCIA – Latinas Who Trade & Wealth with Yoly
TARLIKA NUNEZ NAVARRO – Dean, Professor of Law St. Thomas University College of Law
SUSAN NYAMORA – South Florida Wellness Network, President, CEO
KARINA PAVONE – Amigos for Kids, President CEO
MARIA T. PLANAS – Care Plus Health Plans
RACHEL EUGENIA PINEDO – Foundation of the Americas/Global Philanthropy Society, Founder
SILVIA MARIA QUINTANA – Broward Behavioral Health Coalition, Chief Executive Officer
LOURDES SANCHEZ-BRETON – United Badges of Honor Foundation, Founder & Firefighter
SANDRA NOEMI TORRES – United Latinas, Founder and CEO
2024 LATINA PIONEER of the YEAR
EMILY MARQUEZ-DULIN – -CEO, Brooke USA Foundation, a non-profit focused on providing aid to the to the developing world through economic and sustainable programs that advance the lives of people in equine dependent communities (600 million worldwide). A volunteer consultant for numerous charities and non-profit organizations as we
2024 UP & COMER HONOREE
TIFFANY ESCOBAR – Associate Attorney Beltran Brito Casamayor, LLP, Immigration & Nationality Law
Volunteer with Colombian Bar Association, Co-Founder of the Colombian American Student Bar Association and numerous community service activities.
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The 19th Annual Hispanic Women of Distinction Charity Luncheon
