Week 7/16/25 Newsletter - Congratulations to SFLHCC President Liliam M. Lopez, as July 9th is Proclaimed Lily Lopez Day in the City of Miami Beach

Jul 17
5 min read

Congratulations to SFLHCC President Liliam M. Lopez, as July 9th is Proclaimed Lily Lopez Day in the City of Miami Beach

We are thrilled to announce a special honor bestowed upon SFLHCC President Liliam M. Lopez. July 9, 2025, has been officially proclaimed "Lily Lopez Day" in the City of Miami Beach, celebrating her outstanding leadership and unwavering commitment to the Hispanic business community.

Lily expressed heartfelt gratitude to Mayor Steven Meiner and Commissioner Alex Fernandez for their support and kind words during the proclamation. She emphasized her strong personal connection to the City of Miami Beach as her cherished home and the proud headquarters of the South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (SFLHCC).

Under Lily's direction, the SFLHCC Foundation has empowered local students by providing over $1 million in scholarships and educational trips, reinforcing her dedication to nurturing the city's future innovators and entrepreneurs. This special proclamation recognizes Lily's achievements and the powerful example she sets for our city's next generation of leaders. Congratulations, Lily!

Congratulations to SFLHCC Board Member Claudia Puig on being inducted into the 2025 Florida Broadcasters Hall of Fame

The South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (SFLHCC) is proud to celebrate an outstanding achievement by one of our very own. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Board Member Claudia Puig, who has been named a 2025 inductee into the prestigious Florida Broadcasters Hall of Fame.

The Hall of Fame honor is a well-deserved recognition of Claudia’s decades of commitment, innovation, and passion for excellence in broadcasting.

On behalf of SFLHCC, we applaud Claudia on this remarkable milestone. We are grateful for the wisdom, energy, and integrity she brings to our Board and the South Florida business community. Congratulations, Claudia, on this outstanding honor!

SFLHCC Technology Committee Chair Jovianna Gonzalez: Representing Our Country with Distinct Recognition

The SFLHCC is proud to announce that our Technology Committee Chair, Jovianna Gonzalez, recently had the honor of representing our country as a Subject Matter Expert Exchange at SOUTHCOM J2 and with the General Command of Colombian Military Forces J2, Directorate of Intelligence/Counterintelligence (CGDJ2).

It was an honor for Jovianna to address the Colombian military and SOUTHCOM on critical topics at the intersection of technology and crime. As a leading Digital Forensic Expert, she shared invaluable insights into the technologies currently employed by Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs), their communication methods, including third-party applications like WhatsApp, Signal, Confide, and Threema, and her direct experience with TCOs involved with data recovery from mobile devices.

This invitation highlights Jovianna's unparalleled expertise and substantial contributions to digital forensics and national security. As the founder of Digital Forensics Now, the first Hispanic and woman-owned digital forensics and cybersecurity company in the U.S., her pioneering work, coupled with her participation in such high-level discussions, further showcases the SFLHCC's unwavering commitment to leadership, diversity, and innovation in technology. We appreciate her efforts in representing the U.S. in such crucial international discussions.

Miami Herald Article Including Agape Culinary Arts Program

Congratulations to seven women who are celebrating completing their culinary skills training program, a collaboration between CareerSource South Florida and the Agape Network. The transformative course is designed to empower women facing challenges such as substance abuse or poverty through a holistic approach to help them “rebuild their lives, develop new skills and enter the workforce with a fresh sense of purpose.”

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Celebrating Entrepreneurial Growth: Highlights from Chase’s Networking Event

This past week, Chase hosted an engaging networking event for entrepreneurs focused on "The Power of Capital: A Conversation for Entrepreneurs." The event featured expert-led conversations, networking opportunities, and invaluable resources aimed at supporting business growth and financial empowerment.

The South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (SFLHCC) was proud to participate in and support this vital initiative. Events like these help entrepreneurs access essential capital, make informed financial decisions, and build lasting wealth by fostering connections and sharing knowledge.

We thank Chase for bringing together business leaders and experts, and we look forward to ongoing collaboration to help our local entrepreneurs thrive!

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Birthday Celebration for Vanessa Ferrod!

Last week, some ladies celebrated Chamber Member Vanessa Ferrod’s birthday in a warm and joyful gathering. On behalf of the South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (SFLHCC), we wish Vanessa a wonderful year ahead. Happy birthday, Vanessa, we hope you enjoyed your special day!

In Photo: SFLHCC Past Chairman Felipe Basulto, Liliam M. Lopez, and Monsignor Franklyn M. Casale

SFLHCC 2017 Golden Eagle Award Presented to Monsignor Franklyn M. Casale who the President of St. Thomas University at the time.

SFLHCC Partners with Caballero RiveroWoodlawn for New Member Affinity Program

The South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce a new Affinity Program partnership with Caballero Rivero Woodlawn. This collaboration offers exclusive benefits and special services to our members, supporting families with compassionate care and trusted legacy planning.

Elevate Your Leadership with The PODER Fellowship!

The South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (SFHCC) is thrilled to partner with The PODER Collective to present The PODER Fellowship, a premier leadership program designed to empower and elevate Latino, Latina, and allied leaders in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties.

If you're a:

Nonprofit leader
Entrepreneur with a bold mission
Community advocate
Corporate professional committed to purpose-driven impact

This program is for you! The PODER Fellowship, led by three amazing Latinos, offers a transformative opportunity to expand your network, enhance your leadership skills, and create meaningful change in South Florida.

Many employers sponsor professional development like this, so consider asking your HR department to cover your participation. Plus, thanks to this partnership, partial scholarships are available!

Ready to learn more or nominate yourself or someone inspiring?

Email us at animate@podercollective.com or visit www.podercollective.com for details.

Let's build the future of leadership in South Florida, together!

Check our Video: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7343646100232302592

Remember to Maximize Your Benefits

We Need Your Voice! Take the Survey Today 🌟

As part of our ongoing commitment to support local businesses and our workforce, SFLHCC is seeking YOUR input. This short survey will help us understand current workforce challenges, potential layoffs, skills gaps, and areas for new growth so we can better advocate for you and connect our community to training and employment resources.

(Estimated completion time: 5 minutes; responses will remain confidential.)

Click Here to Start the Survey Now!

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.

Need Help Recruiting the right candidates? Please contact Cathy at Cathy@sflhcc.com