Hablando de la Salud de la Mujer - hosted by Channel 2

Co Chairs: Helen Aguirre Ferré and Leticia Peláez - Diario Las Americas

Glenn Addis- Hilton Miami Downtown
Diahann Albarrán Smith- Dairy Farmers, Inc.
Evelyn Arias- Mercy Hospital
Krisie Augustine – General Motors R Works
Maria Baluja - Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida
Pieded Barros- Bank of Coral Gables
Douglas Bartel - Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida
Bellkys Castillo- American Diabetes Association
Nilda de Boyrie – Horwitz and Associates, Inc.
Christina Garcia- Mercy Hospital
Betty Gomez- American Diabetes Association
Sonia Green – General Motors
Mike Laderman - Barry University
Lilliam Machado- American Cancer Society
Aida Martinelli- American Red Cross
Lisa McDaniel Brown – National Speaking of Women’s Health Foundation
Darcy Nichols- Dairy Farmers, Inc.
Camille Olabarrieta – Camilisa Jewelry
Enid Oquendo - National Speaking of Women's Health Foundation
Nancy Pulecio- Contactos USA, Inc.
Gloria Quintero – Colombia Volunteer Ladies
Monica Rabassa- Univision Radio

Channel 2
Melanie Ink Broeker – Director Corporate Underwriting and Foundations
Shirley Carroll – Senior Vice President Finance/Corporate Treasurer
Cammy Richards – Director Community Events
Rick Schneider – President and CEO
Dolores Sukhdeo – Executive Vice President and COO
Natalia Villegas – Event Coordinator

Co-chair: Helen Aguirre Ferré
Helen Aguirre Ferré is an award-winning, bi-lingual journalist in both print and broadcast media. With over two decades of reporting, she is the Opinion Page Editor of Diario Las Américas, an independent, family-owned Spanish-language newspaper founded in Miami in 1953. Her commentary also extends to a Sunday column in Diario Las Américas, covering current, national and international affairs.

In the broadcast arena, Helen is the moderator of the weekly WPBT public affairs series Issues, reaching audiences from the Treasure Coast to the Florida Keys. Helen also serves as host for many of WPBT’s public affairs specials. She has extensive experience interviewing both local leaders as well as heads of state, particularly from Latin America, and some of the most important figures in American politics.

“I confess that apart from my family, journalism is my magnificent obsession,” says Ferré, who was recognized by Hispanic Trends Magazine, El Nuevo Herald and Miami Today newspapers for her professional accomplishments.

In addition, Helen has been a guest political analyst on Telemundo and serves as moderator for many community panels and local events, including the Downtown Bay Forum of Miami-Dade County. She has also provided political analysis for Radio and TV Marti.

Helen has a strong commitment to community service. She is the first woman to chair the Board of Trustees of Miami Dade College, the largest award-winning community college in the country, and was recently named to the board of directors of the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges in the United States. She is president of the Angels of Mercy of Mercy Hospital, a member of the Florida Chapter of the International Women’s Forum, a member of the Women’s Fund of Miami-Dade County, a national member of the Council on Foreign Relations, an associate member of the Inter American Dialogue, National Association of Hispanic Journalists and is a Dame of the Knights of Malta.

Through all her professional and community engagements, Helen has received many awards, including: the Chairman’s Award of the South Florida Chapter of the American Red Cross 2007; Women’s History Coalition Women of Impact Award 2007; Award of Distinction American Nicaraguan Foundation 2006; Distinguished Woman Professional Cuban Woman’s Club 2006; CAMACOL Woman Business Professional 2006; Distinguished Alumni Archbishop Curley Notre Dame Academy 2005; Barry University Outstanding Alumni of the Year Award 2000; Dynamic Woman’s Award American Cancer Society; Professional of Hispanic Media 100; as well as awards from Goodwill Industries and the Cuban Rotary Club.

She was also appointed to the Florida State Committee of Higher Education Access Task Force in 2005 and the Florida Energy 2020 Commission, among others.

Helen Aguirre Ferré holds a B.A. in Political Science from Barry University and an M.A. in Inter American Studies from the University of Miami, Florida.

Co-chair: Leticia Peláez
Leticia Pelaez is the Advertising Director for Diario Las Américas, South Florida ’s first Spanish-language daily newspaper. “Letty”, as she is warmly known, is an experienced and dedicated Hispanic advertising professional.

Her career in marketing and advertising began over 15 years ago as the Finance Director at the advertising agency of Diaz, Marks & Partners. The small agency afforded her the opportunity of wearing different hats.She soonfound herself assuming multiple responsibilities, such as proposal writing, account servicing and media buying. She quickly learned the marketing and media side of the business and was encouraged by her employer to broaden her career path. This employer, who Letty credits for being instrumental in paving the way for her career growth, would become one of her dearest friends.

Throughher hard work, analytical expertise and passion for research,Letty soonearned the reputationas a savvy and respected media professional. Letty’s advertising career has included tenures in Diaz, Marks & Partners, JGR & Partners (part of the BS&P Group), and Zubi Advertising. She has worked and managed yearly budgets of over 20 million dollars, for a broad list of clients that include: S.C. Johnson, Bongo’s, Ford Motor Company, Wachovia Terramark, Monty’s Restaurants, CAC Ramsey, Southern Wine & Spirits, F.P.&L., Miccosukee Tribe of Indians, Winn Dixie, and many more.

In 2003, Letty joined Diario Las Américas to head their Display Advertising Sales Division and over-all marketing efforts. Letty represents Diario at several organizations that include Florida Newspapers Advertising Marketing Executives, Association of Hispanic Advertising Agencies, Florida Newspaper Advertising Network and, most recently in the Steering Committee for Hablando de la Salud de la Mujer Conference.

A native of Cuba , Letty arrived in Miami in the Fall 1960. Letty continues to live in Miami . She has been married for over 30 years; is blessed with three wonderful children (two amazing daughters and one exceptional son) and is a proud Grandmother to two rambunctious boys.