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International Women’s Day has been celebrated by the United Nations (UN) since 1975. The UN’s annual commemoration serves to highlight women’s issues globally and focuses on their achievements. In 2004, the World Trade Center Miami decided to sponsor this event annually to recognize women who have inspired others to make major achievements in international business. This award recognizes exemplary women and their role and leadership in international business or trade, their commitment to advancing relations between our community, state and/or the U.S. & other countries as well as their role in creating and supporting jobs and fostering economic development. The World Trade Center Miami and South Florida’s international business community, will be celebrating the 21st Annual International Women’s Achievement Award on March 15, 2024. We will honor extraordinary women who understand the importance of trade for our community. Register for this years event here:
FEFC was created by the State of Florida in 1993 as a not-for-profit corporation with the mandate to expand employment and income opportunities to Florida residents by increased exports of goods and services resulting from assistance given by the FEFC to Florida companies. With its primary purpose of financial support for Florida small and medium sized exporters, Daisy’s trade experience with both large and small companies and in both the public and private sectors has given her an extensively diverse background and proved to be a valuable asset to the FEFC. Under her leadership, FEFC received the awards as 2017 and 2021 EXIM Bank REPP of the year.
She has over 25 years of diversified experience in banking and trade finance and managing portfolios of domestic and international companies and institutions with annual revenues up to $25MM. Daisy is the recipient of the 2018 Statewide Export Advocate of the Year Award (issued by The U.S. Department of Commerce – Minority Business Development Agency (Export Center Florida) and the 2018 BEAMS Business Academy (Spring 2019) Partner and Trainer Award (issued by the City of Fort Lauderdale (Business Engagement Assistance & Mentorships Unit). In 2020, she became Member of the Board of Directors of the World Trade Center- Miami. In 2022, Daisy was appointed to the 2022-2023 EXIM Council on Small Business and reappointed in 2023.
Daisy successfully completed the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship Nonprofit Executive Program at Florida State University College of Business in 2017. Her continuous support and willingness to assist the small and medium-sized exporters achieve success has been the driving force that has contributed to her great accomplishments.
Cari Cossio started her career in the late 80’s. For the last 10 years she has been the District Manager of Geodis USA, LLC, an international freight forwarder and customs broker. Also, based on her many years of experience, she has been entrusted with the task of leading the FMC compliance program for Geodis USA.
For the past 37 years, Cari has had the opportunity to serve the logistics community under various roles working directly with the federal agencies such as U.S. Customs, Federal Maritime Commission and the Transportation Security Administration doing outreach for the logistics industry and bringing awareness to causes that impact the industry across the USA. As president of the Florida Customs Broker and Forwarders Association for 6 years, she was a strong advocate on behalf of the international trade community in Florida. She was also an inductee to the FCBF Hall of Fame in 2011.
Cari was raised by Cuban immigrant parents who wholeheartedly believed that working hard gave them the opportunity and ability to rebuild their lives and she therefore has devoted her career to mentoring and inspiring others to excel. Among her community outreach initiatives, she served as an Ambassador of the American Cancer Society raising funds to continue research, treatments, and resources to those affected. In partnership with others in the community, she organized various events including collecting school supplies and toys for children affected by poverty; events to bring awareness to human trafficking within the community, and events to open employment opportunities.Cari continues to be a pillar to her industry and community through her efforts and dedication.
Fru-veg Marketing is one of the nations’ leading importers and distributors of fine produce such as apples, asparagus, cherries ,berries, clementines, haricot vert/mini vegetables and organic fruits and vegetables. Conchita founded Fru-Veg Marketing in 1988. Working with a reduced staff and headquartered at the Port of Miami, Fru-Veg began to grow exponentially, cultivating lasting relationships with leading growers from Central and South America and extending to imports from Spain. Several times throughout the year, she visits growers, building new partnerships, reinforcing old ones and exploring new products.
Fru-Veg maintains a growing client base in North America to include the major supermarket chains in the US and Canada. Today Fru-Veg owns state of the art cooling facilities in Doral, alongside Miami International Airport, and maintains a satellite office in Philadelphia and Chile. In 1994 Fru-Veg Marketing was named one of the top 250 Hispanic-owned companies in the US by Hispanic Business magazine. In 2001 Conchita was a finalist for the publication’s Entrepreneur of the Year award. Today, Fru-Veg Marketing is ranked at 150 in the Hispanic Business 500. Conchita earned her B.S. in History at Barat College in Lake Forest, Illinois, returning to South Florida for her M.S.W. in Social Work and Public Administration at Barry University.
Lorena Sandoval is American Airlines’ Cargo Sales Director for Miami, Latin America and the Caribbean. She oversees the sales strategy, customers and partners relationship in her region with the support of 20 team members.
Lorena started her career in the hospitality industry in 1988 in her hometown of Quito, Ecuador. In 1990, she joined American as a reservation agent and soon became a supervisor. She then moved to the sales department as a corporate sales representative. In 1995 she moved to Miami to work as an analyst for the ticket sales centers, evaluating the profitably and monitoring the operation of all the airline’s ticket offices in Latin America and the Caribbean. She was then promoted to sales manager for Panama, and later promoted to country director and general sales manager, where she was responsible for operations, sales and American’s call center.
In 2005, Lorena was promoted to regional sales manager for Mexico, Central America and Venezuela based in Miami, Florida. In this role she coordinated the sales and marketing strategy of the region, keeping American within the top preferred carriers. In June 2012, she was appointed as the global reservations director, responsible not only for all the call centers in the Americas but also for the airline’s outsourced operations in Europe and the Pacific.
In 2014, Lorena became American’s sales operation manager, responsible for all the ticket offices in Florida, Mexico, the Caribbean and Latin America. In 2017, she joined the cargo organization leading the cargo sales for Miami, Latin America and the Caribbean.
Monica Vazquez is Country Manager and Executive Vice President of ABANCA USA, leading the operations of one of Spain’s leading financial institutions in the USA. Since assuming the position in January 2019, with the opening of the bank, Monica has played a key role in establishing and leading the bank’s operations in the country. Her responsibilities include providing strategic leadership, managing day-to-day operations and ensuring the overall success of the business.
She is not only a business expert, but also a recognized authority on corporate governance, ESG, cybersecurity, risk management and private banking in both the European and US markets. With a background in law and a master’s degree in business, Monica has extensive experience and knowledge of European and US banking regulations. She has honed her skills through certification programs at prestigious institutions such as Harvard, Wharton and IE. Monica is also a valued member of the Harvard Business Research Advisory Board.
In addition to her role at ABANCA USA, Monica holds several prestigious positions including President of the Spain-U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Co-Chair of the Florida International Bank Association (FIBA), Founding member of the Women Executive Hispanic Association (WhE), Member of the Council of Residents Abroad (CRE, a body under the Consulate of Spain) and Director of the Spanish Cultural Center in Miami (CCE).
Recognized for her outstanding leadership, Monica has received awards such as being named one of the “TOP 100 Women Leaders in Spain” and one of the “TOP 10 International Businesswomen” in 2023. Her commitment to excellence has also been recognized with awards such as “Company of the Year” 2019, and “Best Place to Work” in 2023.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Monica is deeply involved in community service and volunteerism, which reflects her commitment to environmental and social causes and demonstrates her passion for making a positive impact beyond the boardroom.
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