Week 6/18/25 Newsletter - ArtesMiami President Awarded Crossof the Spanish Royal Order of Isabel la Católica
- Jun 18
- 5 min read
ArtesMiami President Awarded Cross
of the Spanish Royal Order of Isabel la Católica
On June 12, 2025, the South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce was honored to attend a prestigious ceremony recognizing the outstanding contributions of Dr. Aida Levitan, President of ArtesMiami. SFLHCC President and CEO Liliam López was in attendance to witness Dr. Levitan receive the Cross of Officer of the Royal Order of Isabel la Católica, presented by Ambassador Jaime Lacadena, Marquis of La Cadena and Consul General of Spain in Miami, on behalf of His Majesty King Felipe VI of Spain.
The distinguished event was held at the Consular Residence in Coral Gables and hosted by Ambassador Lacadena and his wife, Macarena López-Roberts, Marchioness of La Torre Hermosa. The recognition, established by King Ferdinand VII in 1815, is one of Spain’s highest honors and is awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to strengthening ties with the nation of Spain.
Dr. Levitan was celebrated for her decades of work promoting Spanish culture through landmark events such as the Hispanic Heritage Festival and the Fairs of Seville and Spain in Miami, as well as her leadership at ArtesMiami. Her scholarly achievements, including a Ph.D. in Spanish Golden Age literature from Emory University, were also acknowledged.
It was an evening of cultural pride and heartfelt admiration for a trailblazing Latina who has strengthened cultural bridges between Spain and South Florida. The SFLHCC congratulates Dr. Aida Levitan on this well-deserved recognition and is proud to have joined so many community leaders in celebrating her achievements.
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Monica Lozano: The impact of the Latina's appointment to Apple's board of directorsMonica Lozano has been appointed the eighth member of Apple's board of directors. Lozano, of Mexican origin, is the first Latina to hold such a position at the technology giant. Her experience backs her up. She is currently president and CEO of College Futures Foundation, and continues to serve on the boards of Target and Bank of America.  |
Advocating for Freedom and Human Rights in
Washington, D.C.
The South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce was honored to attend a powerful panel discussion hosted by the Adam Smith Center for Economic Freedom in Washington, D.C., shedding light on the Cuban regime’s exploitation of its doctors through so-called medical diplomacy—a deeply troubling form of modern-day slavery. We commend Dr. Carlos Díaz-Rosillo, Founding Director of the Adam Smith Center, for his leadership in raising awareness of this critical human rights issue. Special thanks to Carlos A. Becerra, Associate Vice President of Governmental Relations at FIU, for the warm hospitality and continued partnership. It was a pleasure to be joined by FIU President Jeanette Núñez and to attend alongside our Chairwoman-Elect Michelle Febres, as we continue to champion the values of freedom, dignity, and justice for all.
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 | SFLHCC President & CEO Liliam López Featured in Invest: Miami | 10th Anniversary Edition We’re proud to share a recent feature of our very own President & CEO, Liliam Lopez, in Invest: Miami, where she discussed the South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s remarkable growth and the driving force behind our success: connection, community, and opportunity. In the interview, Liliam Lopez reflects on the chamber’s 30–40% membership growth, the revival of in-person events post-pandemic, and our mission to support small businesses through affordable membership, grants, and mentorship. She also highlights the chamber’s advocacy for Hispanic women in leadership and shares her vision to expand SFLHCC’s role as one of the top Hispanic chambers in the nation. This insightful piece captures the heart of what we do and why we continue to grow—empowering Hispanic businesses and elevating our community.
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Remember to Maximize Your Benefits
The South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (SFLHCC) has announced an exciting partnership with CareerSource South Florida to deliver enhanced services to its members. This collaboration aims to leverage the strengths and resources of both organizations to benefit businesses and job seekers within the community.
Grant Opportunities Verizon has a $10,000 grant opportunity now available through June 30th to help small businesses nationwide.
 Centro Mater West Director Julietta Riveron-Bello and Short Chef |
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 Maria Lopez, CPA has practiced in public accounting for 30 years now, specializing in income taxes for privately held companies and publicly traded companies. Maria worked with both PwC and EY as an income tax consultant. In 2016, Maria launched her CPA practice in Miami, FL and today Maria works with entrepreneurs and their families in saving income taxes and putting those savings back in their business and long-term investments including retirement. Maria specializes in various industries including IT service providers, SAAS companies and marketing/advertising agencies. Maria and her team provide accounting and bookkeeping services, business financial planning and analysis and both income tax compliance and planning. For more information, visit bymarialopez.com website or contact Maria at 305.697.9730. |
🎉 Happy Birthday to Jorge Plasencia! 🎉
The South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce sends our warmest birthday wishes to Jorge Plasencia, a supporting member, visionary leader, dedicated community advocate, and proud champion of Hispanic excellence.
His unwavering commitment to uplifting our community through culture, media, and philanthropy continues to inspire us all. We are grateful for your leadership and the lasting impact you’ve made in South Florida and beyond.
Wishing you a year filled with continued success, joy, and meaningful moments. ¡Feliz cumpleaños, Jorge!
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