ICABA Salutes Women of Impact Profile Publication 2025
Dear Attendee,
Congratulations to all our honorees, and thank you for joining us to celebrate their accomplishments!
Recognizing and celebrating each other’s success benefits the individual honoree and builds a culture of respect, value, and support for one another. As we celebrate today, I encourage you to capitalize on this opportunity to meet someone you do not know and offer your assistance to them. The value and support you extend to others will always come back to you.
ICABA’s mission is to assist Black professionals and entrepreneurs to Connect, Collaborate, and build Communities to Capitalize on the enormous value and opportunities available to us when we expand our network. Relationships are the foundational core of a successful life and career. Today’s event will end soon, but cultivating valuable relationships among those in attendance is available to you right now. Please seize the moment!
Warm regards,
Hutch Jerome Hutchinson, Jr. Founder & Chief Servant Officer
Carshena T. Allison
HONOREE 2025
INTERESTING INSIGHTS
SUPERPOWER:
Interpersonal skills that provide the ability to understand and share the feelings of others which helps me connect and achieve common goals.
PERSON MOST LIKE TO MEET: Michelle Obama
HOBBY / LEISURE ACTIVITY:
When I am not traveling and creating memories with my family, I enjoy a good movie and binge-watching popular shows on Netflix.
SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW ABOUT ME: I played the saxophone all throughout school and was in my high school’s drum major band.
WORDS THAT INSPIRE ME:
“Change will not come if we wait for some other person, or if we wait for some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.”
-President Barack Obama
AVENTURA, FL
With two decades of auditing and consulting experience, Carshena has demonstrated dedication, passion, and leadership in the accounting profession.
She began her career at Deloitte & Touche LLP, primarily serving SEC-regulated clients and federal entities. During the 2008 global housing crisis, she led an audit team in Washington, D.C., for Fannie Mae’s Multi-Housing Segment. Her experience at Deloitte paved the way for her success at Watson Rice, where she trained staff and advanced to Partner. In this role, she oversees audit and compliance, specializing in professional services for state and local governments and nonprofit organizations.
Carshena’s commitment to the accounting profession began while working at the Florida Institute of CPAs (FICPA) during her postgraduate studies. Since then, she has taken on numerous leadership roles, including Chair of the FICPA Scholarship Foundation Board and Chair of a local chapter’s Board of Directors. As Foundation Chair, she led the launch of the organization’s first strategic plan, aligning it with a refreshed mission to support current and future CPAs.
Currently, Carshena serves on the FICPA Council as Chair of the Governance Task Force Committee, providing leadership on the FICPA’s bylaws and policies. She also contributes to statewide advocacy efforts, working with legislators in Tallahassee to enact laws that protect and promote Florida’s nearly 20,000 licensed CPAs.
Carshena remains deeply committed to advancing the accounting profession and serving her community. She attributes much of her success to the unwavering support of her family. PARTNER
HONOREE 2025
INTERESTING INSIGHTS
SUPERPOWER:
My superpower is connecting people, opportunities and solutions! I’ve been described as a matchmaker, magician, firefighter, fixer and even Olivia Pope - “It’s handled.”
PERSON MOST LIKE TO MEET:
Audre Lorde & Shirley Chisolm
HOBBY / LEISURE ACTIVITY:
I am an art enthusiast. I am drawn to paintings and sculpture as well as design. I love to listen to music from all over the world.
SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW ABOUT ME:
I cannot ride a bicycle and I’m perfectly okay with that! I loved roller skating instead!
WORDS THAT INSPIRE ME:
“Worry is a waste of the imagination”
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” -Walt Disney -Philippians 4:13
Lori-Ann M. Cox
Lori-Ann Cox is a visionary educational leader dedicated to shaping South Florida’s future through transformative learning experiences. As CEO of Breakthrough Miami, she drives the growth of a nationally recognized eightyear academic and social enrichment program, serving over 1,700 Scholars in grades 5-12, 172 Teaching Fellows, and 600 volunteers. Positioned as an embedded servicelearning partnership within 7 top independent schools and the University of Miami, Breakthrough Miami reaches Scholars from 300+ schools across 151 zip codes.
Under Lori-Ann’s leadership, Breakthrough Miami has expanded its reach, secured state funding, and earned numerous accolades, including the National Summer Learning Association’s Best Summer Learning Program award and Volunteer Florida’s 2023 Program of the Year. The organization also achieved national accreditation in strategic volunteer engagement by AL!VE, placing it among the top 11% of nonprofits nationwide.
Lori-Ann was named GMCC Non-Profit Leader of the Year (2019) and recognized as a 2020 Miami Herald Influencer. She has received the People Profile Corporate Citizen Award, the Black Professionals Network’s Woman of Excellence honor (2022), and led Breakthrough Miami to win The Children’s Trust Youth Development Program of the Year Award (2023).
A native of Jamaica, Lori-Ann holds an MBA from Florida International University and has served on various chambers and councils, including the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce. Before Breakthrough Miami, she was Chief Advancement Officer at Gulliver and spent 22 years at FIU, where she played a pivotal role in the university’s rise as a top-tier research institution. From leading FIU’s Community Relations to growing the South Beach Wine & Food Festival, she has built strategic public-private partnerships to drive educational and economic progress. Committed to service, she champions’ authentic relationships, strong teams, and innovative leadership.
Chioma R. Deere
HONOREE 2025
INTERESTING INSIGHTS
SUPERPOWER:
Chioma’s superpower is making estate planning clear and stress-free by combining legal expertise, technology, and a compassionate approach to empower families in protecting their wealth and legacy.
PERSON MOST LIKE TO MEET: Cedella Marley
HOBBY / LEISURE ACTIVITY: I love orchids; Crocheting; Lazy River floating
SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW ABOUT ME: I love K-POP and K-Dramas.
WORDS THAT INSPIRE ME:
“Friendship is a simple thing, and yet complicated; friendship is on the surface, something natural, something taken for granted, and yet underneath one could find worlds.”
-Jamaica Kincaid
SENIOR COUNSEL
Schwartz Sladkus Reich
Greenberg Atlas LLP
WEST PALM BEACH , FL
Chioma R. Deere, Esq. grew up in The Bronx, New York, before moving to Palm Beach County in 2006. She graduated from Pace University Law School. Chioma’s early legal career as a litigator helped to shape her as a successful estate planning attorney at SSRGA, a dynamic law firm committed to providing smart, effective legal solutions. Prior to joining SSRGA, Chioma Deere, Esq. was the founder of The Deere Law Firm, located in West Palm Beach, FL. Chioma’s practice focuses on wills, trusts, estate planning, nursing home protection, Medicaid planning, probate, and trust administration, using technology to deliver efficient, client-centered services.
At SSRGA, Chioma and her team are dedicated to educating clients and the community about estate planning and probate in the digital age. She offers live and on-demand workshops, ensuring legal processes are clear, accessible, and stress-free for families planning their futures.
Attorney Deere’s clients describe her as “thorough and patient,” with strong “follow-through.” She is known for being “professional, reliable, dependable, caring, and sensitive to clients’ needs.” One client noted, “The great bonus is that she listens to me and treats me as someone she really cares about.”
Chioma is actively involved in her community, serving as a member of the Florida Bar and various local legal and civic associations. She holds leadership roles with the Philanthropy Committee for Palm Health Foundation, The West Palm Beach (FL) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, and the Palm Beach County Bar Association. She is also a member of the Academy of Florida Elder Law Attorneys, Palm Beach County Women and Black Chambers of Commerce, Sheree Davis Cunningham Black Women Lawyers Association, West Palm Beach (FL) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, and serves as a Changing How Individuals Prosper (CHIP) financial planning professional and Advisory Board member.
Chioma Deere is committed to helping her clients protect their wealth and legacy—now and for generations to come.
Dorcely,Marjorie CHC
HONOREE 2025
INTERESTING INSIGHTS
SUPERPOWER:
My stubborn optimism
PERSON MOST LIKE TO MEET:
Toni Morrison, Salman Rushdie, Gabriel GarciaMarquez, Jean Cocteau, James Baldwin, Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche, Dave Chappelle.
HOBBY / LEISURE ACTIVITY:
Pilates daily and for the rest of my life. ; Travel, near or far; Being part of an audience, may it be performance art or sporting event.
SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW ABOUT ME: I used to sketch a lot when I was a child and dreamt of being an architect.
WORDS THAT INSPIRE ME:
“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
-Hebrews 12, v 11
Marjorie Dorcely is the Compliance Officer and Privacy Official for Health Network One, a leading specialty network management company specializing in outpatient therapy, routine vision, medical eye care, dermatology, and podiatry.
Marjorie’s career in healthcare administration began unexpectedly. Initially aspiring to be an architect, she later pursued a degree in Finance and Business Administration, a pragmatic choice influenced by her Caribbean upbringing. After graduation, she joined a private medical malpractice insurance firm, where she was introduced to the administrative side of the healthcare field she had never considered.
Seeking a more corporate environment, she transitioned to PCA Health Plans of Florida, a large regional health insurer, where she gained invaluable experience over nearly five years. It was here that she encountered strong leadership and formed lasting professional relationships. When PCA was acquired by a national insurer, Marjorie and her colleagues reunited to embark on a new venture. That initiative evolved into what is now Health Network One—an organization defined by innovation and perseverance.
With over 30 years in healthcare administration, Marjorie has come to appreciate that creativity extends beyond artistic expression, it is also the force that drives businesses forward. She considers herself fortunate to have found an unexpected yet fulfilling outlet for her creativity in a field she never initially envisioned.
We congratulate Sophia Eccleston for being recognized as an ICABA Salutes Women of Impact 2025 Honoree! Your dedication and achievements inspire and empower the next generation of young women to reach for their dreams.
HONOREE 2025
INTERESTING INSIGHTS
SUPERPOWER:
I consider my ability to connect with people my superpower, allowing me to build meaningful relationships, foster collaboration, and drive impactful outcomes.
PERSON MOST LIKE TO MEET:
Oprah Winfrey, Maya Angelou and Nelson Mandela
HOBBY / LEISURE ACTIVITY:
Traveling, Reading, Cooking
SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW ABOUT ME: One thing most people might be surprised to know about me is that I was afraid of heights until I conquered my fear by ascending to the top of the Sigiriya Rock in Sri Lanka in 2024.
WORDS THAT INSPIRE ME:
“The kindest thing you can do for someone is allow them to help you”
-Fred Rogers
Sophia E. Eccleston
SENIOR DIRECTOR, ORIGINATION Nextera Energy Resources
WELLINGTON, FL
Sophia E. Eccleston is an accomplished energy and external affairs executive with a strong track record in renewable energy, stakeholder engagement, and strategic partnerships. She has extensive experience helping commercial and industrial clients achieve their sustainability goals through tailored renewable energy solutions.
Currently serving as Senior Director, Origination at NextEra Energy Resources, Sophia has successfully helped businesses transition to clean energy. She previously held leadership roles at Florida Power & Light (FPL), where she was responsible for external affairs in Southern and Central Palm Beach County. Her contributions included supporting major rate cases, overseeing emergency operations during natural disasters, and fostering strong relationships with local, state, and federal officials to enhance the company’s community and regulatory engagement.
Sophia’s career began in supply chain management, holding key roles at Kellogg Brown and Root Inc. in Dubai and Djibouti, optimizing global supplier operations. She also served in the United States Army in Heidelberg, Germany, where she gained valuable logistics experience.
A dedicated leader beyond her corporate role, Sophia currently serve as an Executive Board Member for CareerSource Florida, a commissioner and past Chair for the Florida Commission on the Status of Women, and a Board Member of Boca Regional Hospital. She has received numerous accolades, including the 2023 Minority Community Leader Award, 2023 Women in Leadership Award, and 2018 South Florida’s Most Powerful and Influential Black Business Leaders recognition.
Sophia holds an MBA from American Intercontinental University and a BS in Criminal Justice from Armstrong State University. She has also completed certifications from Harvard Law School and Harvard University in leadership, negotiations, and emotional intelligence.
Passionate about community service, she enjoys traveling, golfing, cooking, and volunteering.
HONOREE 2025
INTERESTING INSIGHTS
SUPERPOWER:
My superpower is intuition. I effortlessly read people, sensing hidden motives, emotions and patterns. This fuels my ability to mentor others with wisdom, integrity, and kindness, guiding them to excellence.
PERSON MOST LIKE TO MEET: Maya Angelou, Martin Luther King Jr., Denzel Washington, Kamala Harris, Barak Obama, Bob Marley, Oprah Winfrey
HOBBY / LEISURE ACTIVITY:
Traveling, Spending time on a Caribbean beach, Family
SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW ABOUT ME: I may seem calm, composed and reserved on the outside, I experience emotions very intensely; but I tend to keep that on the inside, guarding my emotions carefully.
WORDS THAT INSPIRE ME:
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
-Maya Angelou
Marlene Mitchell Gordon
CHIEF LEGAL OFFICER Panera, LLC
MIRAMAR, FL
Marlene Mitchell Gordon is a transformative leader known for building and guiding high-performing teams in growth, turnaround, and transformation scenarios. With a visionary approach, she drives strategic initiatives focused on corporate governance, operational excellence, culture, and employee well-being. Recognized for her authenticity and commitment to mentorship, she champions the professional growth of women and minorities while supporting underserved communities.
As Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer & Secretary of Panera Brands—the parent company of Panera Bread, Caribou Coffee, and Einstein Bros. Bagels—Marlene oversees Legal, Ethics & Compliance, and Associate Relations. She plays a key role in corporate governance, Board processes, and oversight.
Previously, she was Senior Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer, General Counsel & Secretary at Fresh Del Monte Produce, where she led global Legal, Corporate Communications, Human Resources, and Government Relations. Her career also includes executive legal roles at Bacardi North America, where she led the Global Women-in-Leadership Initiative, and Burger King Corporation, where she spearheaded the global legal functions for Marketing, Intellectual Property, Operations, and Supply & Distribution. She began her career at Republic Industries, Blockbuster Entertainment Group, and a prominent Florida law firm.
Marlene holds a B.A. in Economics with honors from the University of Chicago, a J.D. from Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, and is a Harvard Business School Certified Organizational Leader.
My superpower is recognizing the inherent gifts in others and guiding them to use those gifts to achieve their ambitions.
PERSON MOST LIKE TO MEET: Michelle Obama
HOBBY / LEISURE ACTIVITY: Mentoring and Empowering Others, Supporting my children’s passions, gardening
SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW ABOUT ME:
Despite my outward drive and perhaps even a perceived extroverted persona, what might surprise many is that I am, at my core, a natural introvert.
WORDS THAT INSPIRE ME:
“The seed must grow regardless of the fact that it’s planted in stone.”
-Tupac Shakur
FOUNDER
Charmaine James is the founder of Locsanity, a thriving natural hair care company that serves customers worldwide. At Locsanity, Charmaine has demonstrated her entrepreneurial acumen by developing the brand, creating effective marketing strategies, and launching a successful product line.
Charmaine James used to have a very complicated relationship with her naturally coily hair. From the culture-shocked, six-year-old girl who emigrated from St. Ann’s Bay, Jamaica to the United States with her family, to the distraught pre-teen whose hair fell out when it was first permed. Then, there were the unpleasant adolescent memories of the 1980s Jheri curl era which she recalls as being “a remixed hell… to this day.
Transitioning into adulthood, James, then working in corporate America as an e-commerce and warehousing executive, had her ‘Come-To-Jesus’ moment of self-reckoning through Alicia, her eldest of three children and a pre-teen at the time. When Alicia’s desire was to have straightened hair like hers, James realized that her actions didn’t align with her words. That encounter with her daughter was an awakening for James, who shortly thereafter, made the decision to quit relaxing her tresses and go the route of locs.
James’ at-home experimentations ran the gamut with rosewater, Jamaican black castor oil, argan oil and an array of other mix-andmatch sourced ingredients.
After much trial and error, the formula was perfected. This entrepreneurial leap of faith birthed Locsanity, which was officially launched in 2017.
Today, Locsanity retails more than 30 plant-based haircare and skincare products for women, men, and children. Shampoos, conditioners, mousses, moisturizers, balms, pomades, and body washes are among the extensive purchasable items. As for the next goal in sight, “We want to be in the big box retailers of the Walmarts and the Targets.”
Charmaine holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Information Technology from Florida International University.
HONOREE 2025
INTERESTING INSIGHTS
SUPERPOWER:
Empathy is my superpower; feeling what others are going through and offering support is key. Tuning into people’s emotions offers comfort, understanding, connection. They feel seen, heard, and valued.
PERSON MOST LIKE TO MEET: Harriet Tubman
HOBBY / LEISURE ACTIVITY: Travel, Reading and Shopping
SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW ABOUT ME: I went to school to become a newspaper reporter and pivoted to law realizing that after getting invited to an editorial board of a major daily newspaper might not be practical.
WORDS THAT INSPIRE ME:
“Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will. Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them, and these will continue till they are resisted with either words or blows, or with both. The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppress.”
Nikki Lewis Simon, a Shareholder and seasoned commercial litigator, primarily serves as Senior Vice President and Greenberg Traurig’s Chief Engagement, Culture & Opportunity Officer. In this capacity, Nikki designs and guides strategic initiatives and programs to deepen firmwide inclusion efforts that enrich client engagements and community investments.
Prior to assuming responsibilities on the firm’s business side, Nikki has represented her cross-industry clients’ business objectives by protecting their capital – human, intellectual, and financial – against claims of wrongdoing in complex commercial and class action litigation. Nikki is also a member of the firm’s Labor & Employment Practice team who concentrate in strategic employment counseling, providing pragmatic employment advice that addresses the client’s risk tolerance, cultural realities, operational bandwidth, and budget.
Given her experience, Nikki is also an active member of Greenberg Traurig’s Labor & Employment Practice’s team of lawyers who concentrate in strategic employment counseling. The team provides pragmatic employment legal advice- both nationwide and jurisdiction specific— that address the client’s risk tolerance, cultural realities, operational bandwidth, and budget. Together, the team and client design and implement employment compliance programs as well as strategic advice and planning that help foster positive employee relations that also strengthen innovative operating guides and job-aides; industry tailored dynamic trainings to virtually every organizational level; employment compliance audits and employee engagement sessions.
Nikki has various recognitipon and leadership awards including, Selected, Diversity Global Magazine, “Top 15 Diversity Officers,” 2024, Winner, Corporate Counsel Women, Influence & Power in Law (WIPL) Awards, “Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Champion,” 2024, Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation, 20242025, Selected, National Association of Women Lawyers (NAWL), “Rising List,” 2024
Nikki graduated cum laude from Florida A & M University and the University of Miami School of Law and serves the community and bar, including on The Florida Bar Board of Governors representing the 11th Judicial Circuit.
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CAREER, BUSINESS & LEADERSHIP
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Dr. Dennis P. Kimbro The Nation’s Foremost Thought Leader on Black Success and Wealth
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HONOREE 2025
INTERESTING INSIGHTS
SUPERPOWER:
Coaching and Helping Others to be the Best They Can Be!
PERSON MOST LIKE TO MEET:
Mary McLeod Bethune, a woman who didn’t accept no for an answer. She befriended Eleanor Roosevelt and together they pushed for advances toward equality for Black people.
HOBBY / LEISURE ACTIVITY:
Traveling to new places, Outdoors-biking, Gardening
SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW ABOUT ME: I have traveled to 40 of the 50 United States, and over 20 countries internationally. I’m just getting started!
WORDS THAT INSPIRE ME:
“God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He not said, and will He not do? If you want to get ahead at work, do your job as if you owned the business. No amount of security is worth the suffering of a mediocre life that has killed your dreams.”
Tammy McDonald
CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
Palm Beach County Housing Authority
WEST PALM BEACH, FL
Tammy McDonald is a visionary leader whose commitment to service has created opportunities at the local, state, and national levels. She has broken barriers throughout her career, serving as the first Black incharge auditor at International Multifoods, establishing the internal audit function for an international manufacturing company in Miami, and becoming the first Black and female Division Administrator and Division Controller at Lennar Homes, Inc., one of the nation’s largest residential developers.
Her passion for community impact led her to serve as Vice President of the Urban League, where she expanded programs and services, founded the Financial Empowerment Center, and was recognized by the National Urban League as a Visionary Leader.
Tammy continues to drive change in affordable housing and community development. She is Vice President of the Community Land Trust of Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast, Secretary of the Central County Community Development Corporation, and a founding member of the Administrative Committee of the Florida Minority Impact Housing Fund with CDFI Neighborhood Lending Partners. With experience as a real estate entrepreneur and mortgage provider, she has worked directly with first-time homebuyers and others navigating the housing market.
Beyond her professional achievements, Tammy is a dynamic speaker, trained and certified by Les Brown. She has spoken nationally and delivered keynote addresses for organizations, including the City of Boca Raton. Her mission is to empower others to “be the best they can be.”
MEMBER BENEFITS
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Grow
Enhance
Build
Strengthen
Enjoy
ICABA® puts you in an environment with wealth builders and entrepreneurs that help you realize you can do the same thing. ICABA® is raising our vision of what’s possible and doing a great job of it!
DR. DENNIS P. KIMBRO Foremost Thought Leader, Author & Speaker on Black Success and Wealth Creation
Lumina Award
Black professional and entrepreneurial organizations, programs, and resources that provide outanding leadership and deliver programs and initiatives with excellence and positive impact.
SDCBWLA empowers Black women lawyers in Palm Beach County through mentorship, advocacy, and professional development, fostering a supportive community that celebrates diversity, leadership, and holistic success in law and life.
ORGANIZATIONAL HONORS & ACCOLADES
Palm Beach County Sheree Davis Cunningham Black Women Lawyers Association was inaugurated 2022. Within this short time of they have been recognized several times by The Florida Bar (the governing body for lawyers) for programs and influence on the formation of other Black Women Lawyers Association in Florida. In 2023, we were recognized by the Palm Beach County Historical Society for having many of Palm Beach County First Black women in specific leadership roles. Additionally, we were highlighted for our private meeting in Washington DC with US Supreme Court Justice, Ketanji Brown-Jackson, the 1st Black woman justice on the Supreme Court Justice.
ORGANIZATIONAL SUPERPOWER
Merely 2.3% of lawyers in the United States are Black women PBCSDCBWLA is unique in that it is the 1st in the state of Florida to form an organization with a composition charter of Black women lawyers and judges such an organization.
GUIDING PRINCIPLE
PBC-SDCBWLA’s core value is safe supportiveness through mentorship of various means to strengthen our professional compass and practical life experiences in a culturally enriched environment.
TEAM CULTURE & WELLNESS
In 2024-2025, eleven (11) events have been produced and centered around core programs designed to provide professional and practical experiences which also enhance our overall wellness. The 2024-2025 SDCBWLA President, Salesia Smith believes that learning can be enjoyable and fulfilling when centered our program experiences.
LITTLE-KNOWN FACT
Although SDCBWLA’s focus surrounds Black women lawyers and judges, we embrace and have members of all genders, cultures, ethnicities, and races.
ASPIRATIONAL CONNECTIONS
Because of its mission and wide impact, The ICABA World Network (ICABA) is a fantastic organization for SDCBWLA as an organization and its members to be aligned. It touches both professional areas and personal lifestyles which we unique Black women lawyers need and desire.
Dr. Martine Senatus DNP
HONOREE 2025
SUPERPOWER:
I am graced with the ability to empathize, provide guidance and create supportive environments where individuals feel valued. This gift enables me to inspire growth, build trust, and drive success.
PERSON MOST LIKE TO MEET: Present: Sheika Mozar, Oprah Winfrey, Past: Esther & Ruth from the Bible
HOBBY / LEISURE ACTIVITY: Singing, Praying, Medical Missions
SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW ABOUT ME: I am the last born in a family of seven.
“I can do all things through Christ which strengthen me.”
PRESIDENT
Pathways to Wellness Foundation / VIP Integrative Health Care LLC
WEST PALM BEACH, FL
Dr. Martine Senatus, PMHNP-BC, FNP-BC, is the Owner and CEO of VIP Integrative Health Care LLC, a multispecialty practice dedicated to Psychiatric Mental Health and Primary Care. Driven by a deep commitment to holistic patient care, Dr. Senatus blends evidence-based practices with wisdom, empathy, and compassion to promote the best possible health outcomes for her patients.
Dr. Senatus began her career as a Primary Care Clinician, serving vulnerable and underserved communities as a Family Nurse Practitioner in Belle Glade, Florida. Her dedication to accessible healthcare led her to play a pivotal role in establishing a primary care clinic in Riviera Beach, Florida, where she provided comprehensive care across the lifespan, with a special focus on geriatric health. Inspired by the mental health needs she observed, particularly among older adults. Dr. Senatus pursued doctoral studies in Psychiatric Mental Health to expand her impact.
With years of experience working with children through ministry, Dr. Senatus brings a unique ability to connect with young patients, fostering trust and understanding in her work with children and adolescents. Beyond her clinical roles, she is a devoted mother to her adolescent daughter and actively mentors teen mothers in Palm Beach County schools through her partnership with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies.
Dr. Senatus’s commitment to advocacy and community service is reflected in her leadership roles. She has served as the Health Policy Chair for the Black Nurse Practitioners of Palm Beach County, where she played an instrumental role in advocating for full practice authority for nurse practitioners in Florida. Additionally, she has served on the board of the Volunteer Association Fund of Florida and the Haitian American Nurse Association, contributing her expertise to advance healthcare initiatives.
As the Founder and President of the Pathway to Wellness Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and AHCA-licensed mobile healthcare clinic, Dr. Senatus leads efforts to provide essential medical services to the homeless, uninsured, and underserved populations.
Guided by the motto, “Holistically Caring for You—Integrating Mind, Body, and Soul Care,” Dr. Senatus remains dedicated to transforming lives through compassionate, comprehensive, and culturally sensitive healthcare.
Branding your business, organization, agency and more through news stories for television & social media!
How:
Identif ying stories in your business, organization or otherwise and helping you generate and produce news coverage for television and social media , as well as, conduct media strategy workshops and masterclasses.
Services Include:
Media Strategy Sessions, Media Production, Press Releases, Media Team Training, Speaker
Primary Story Formats:
Recap Video, Story Promos, Promos, Mini-Documentary, Commercials, Legacy Leaders
Connect with Me: https://www linkedin com/in/jacqueline-jimenez-2b466655/
Follow Me: @newsworthystories
Upcoming Event: “Newsworthy Stories Bring Your Business to the Beach: Workday|Vacation” https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bring-your-business-to-the-beach-breakfast-retreat-workcation-ii-tickets1367130587389?af f=oddtdtcreator
I am an author of a children’s coloring book Traveling W/ Denella: Around The World and travel and prayer journal Traveling Grace
WORDS THAT INSPIRE ME:
“Look back on your life and say, ‘Thank God I had the courage to go.’”
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER & HOST
SOAR Entertainment & Media
MIRAMAR, FL
Denella Ri’chard is a dynamic and visionary leader in the travel and media industries. She is the host and executive producer of the award-winning, nationally syndicated television series Traveling With Denella Ri’chard, which has earned eight, television Telly Awards and two Travel Weekly Magellan GOLD Awards for its powerful storytelling and captivating travel content.
With over 20 years of executive experience in the cruise and hospitality sectors, Denella held senior leadership roles at globally recognized brands including Hilton Worldwide, Carnival Corporation, and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. Her career took an unexpected turn in March 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic brought the cruise industry to a standstill. Forced to lay off her team and navigate her own job loss, Denella transformed adversity into opportunity by launching her travel television series.
As international borders reopened, countries and cruise lines sought her television platform to share their destination and cruise stories of adventure and exploration. Today, her show continues to promote global travel and cultural connection.
Travel Pulse named her one of the “Most Influential Women in Travel.” She was honored as one of the “100 Most Influential People in USA Hospitality and Travel” by the International Hospitality Institute and received the Black Meetings & Tourism Black America 250 Living Legend Award for her impact on the travel industry.
A proud alumna of the HBCU, Southern University and A&M College and author of Traveling Grace, Denella Ri’chard radiates a spirit of global adventure, positivity and courage that continues to inspire people around the world.
CONGRATULATIONS THAIS SULLIVAN!
Congratulations Thais, for receiving the ICABA Women of Impact Award!
Thank you for your continued commitment to your clients, colleagues, and the community. We’re proud to have you on Team Valley.
Valley is proud to support ICABA and their mission to build a thriving and trusted global community of black professionals and entrepreneurs.
Congratulations to all of this year’s honorees!
HONOREE 2025
INTERESTING INSIGHTS
SUPERPOWER:
My superpower is I never meet a stranger. I look forward to have a conversation about what I do, and how I feel it could assist you or someone you know
PERSON MOST LIKE TO MEET:
I met her on June 4, 1956 - Liz Johnson, My Mother at 92 years old has been the BIGGEST inspiration in my life!
HOBBY / LEISURE ACTIVITY:
Helping people to read and understand their Bible, Travelling, Bowling
SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW ABOUT ME:
That I had my first children while attending Barry University pursuing my Bachelor’s Degree.
WORDS THAT INSPIRE ME:
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel .”
-Maya Angelou
Thais R. Sullivan
SENIOR VP/NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY LENDING Valley Bank WEST PALM BEACH, FL
Thais R. Sullivan joined Valley National Bank – Florida Division in September 2015, as the Vice President, Regional CRA/Commercial Lending Officer for the State of Florida. In December 2018 she received a promotion to First Vice President. In her role FVP/ Regional CRA Officer she assisted Valley National Bank - Florida in achieving their CRA goals and the Bank receiving an overall “outstanding” rating. On April 21, 2021, Thais was promoted to Senior Vice President/National Director of Community Lending. This position affords her the opportunity to focus on minority and women owned businesses.
Thais graduated with honors in 1998, with a Bachelor of Business Degree from Barry University while working during the day and attending school in the evenings. Thais has been in involved with the Palm Beach County Community for 30+ years, while working for various banking institutions.
Thais earned her Bachelor of Business degree with honors from Barry University in 1998 while balancing full-time work and evening studies. With over 30 years of experience in the banking industry, she has been deeply engaged in the Palm Beach County community, serving on numerous boards and organizations. She is a 2010 graduate of Leadership Palm Beach County and was recognized in 2013 as one of the Most Influential & Prominent Black Women in Business by Legacy Palm Beach
Her extensive community involvement includes leadership and volunteer roles with organizations such as Neighborhood Lending Partners, SunFest of Palm Beach County, the Urban League of Palm Beach County, The Black Chamber of Commerce, the Boys & Girls Club of Riviera Beach, and the Florida Housing Coalition.
Beyond her professional and community commitments, Thais enjoys reading the Bible and sharing her insights with others. She also loves traveling and bowling with her husband, Kyle, their sons, Kyle and Brandon, and her mother, Liz.
HONOREE 2025
INTERESTING INSIGHTS
SUPERPOWER:
Making an impact in the lives of others through the work I do, solving problems, and connecting the dots!
PERSON MOST LIKE TO MEET: Oprah, Beyonce, & Warren Buffet
HOBBY / LEISURE ACTIVITY: Travel, Golf, & Dining
SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW ABOUT ME:
I auditioned for 2 reality tv shows and I used to play the flute
WORDS THAT INSPIRE ME:
“Live Audaciously! Be bold and authentically YOU!”
Ann Marie Sorrell
PRESIDENT & CEO
The Mosaic Group
WEST PALM BEACH, FL
Ann Marie Sorrell is an award-winning business leader, accomplished global influencer, public speaker, published author, political figure, and philanthropist. She is unapologetic in her support of the many causes including issues impacting women, minorities, and our environment. Ann Marie is a go-to thought leader for her expertise and strategic counsel in marketing and communications, entrepreneurship, and transformational leadership. She delivers keynote addresses and serves as a panelist at national and international conferences.
Ann Marie is the president and CEO of The Mosaic Group, an award-winning advertising, marketing, and public relations firm that has managed campaigns and projects ranging from $100,000 to $3 billion for a diverse array of global clients. It is ranked #15 on the South Florida Business Journal’s top 25 Public Relations Firms and named as a Top 100 Women-Led Businesses in Florida by The Women’s Edge. Ann Marie is also the President & Founder of Cannabiziac®, a global member-based company helping new and existing businesses tap into the growing $220 Billion cannabis industry.
She is a 3x published author including her recent work, Live Audaciously! Ann Marie holds an MBA from Nova Southeastern University and a BS in Health Care Management from Florida A&M University.
Ann Marie was elected in 2020 and re-elected unopposed in 2024 as Supervisor for Palm Beach Soil & Water Conservation District, Seat 4. She has served on several community boards and is a member of Leadership Palm Beach County, Leadership Florida, Forum Club of the Palm Beaches, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, to name a few.
Ann Marie has received numerous awards for her leadership, business acumen, and community involvement including the 2023 Ultimate CEO award by the South Florida Business Journal.
In her leisure time, she enjoys time with family and friends, traveling, playing golf, and attending cultural events.
YOU’RE ONE CLICK AWAY
HONOREE 2025
INTERESTING INSIGHTS
SUPERPOWER:
My approach and commitment to holistic healing have helped thousands reclaim their health and vitality.
PERSON MOST LIKE TO MEET:
Oprah Winfrey, Barack Obama, and Dr. Myles Munroe (if he were still living)—all visionaries who inspire impact through purpose-driven leadership.
HOBBY / LEISURE ACTIVITY:
Spa days, listening to worship music and audio books, and traveling.
SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW ABOUT ME:
I’m an ordained minister. My calling to serve goes beyond the chiropractic table—I’m deeply rooted in faith, purpose, and healing the whole person: mind, body, and spirit.
WORDS THAT INSPIRE ME:
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
-Jeremiah 29:11
Dr. Vanessa Walker
FOUNDER & CEO Walker Chiropractic and Wellness Center
MIRAMAR, FL
Dr. Venessa Walker, widely known as Dr. V, is a respected Chiropractic Physician, entrepreneur, and community leader with over 24 years of experience in the field and 17+ years in clinical practice. She is the Founder and CEO of Walker Chiropractic and Wellness Center in Miramar, Florida, where she specializes in personal injury, sports-related injuries, and prenatal chiropractic care. Her patient-centered approach and commitment to holistic healing have helped thousands reclaim their health and vitality.
Dr. Walker earned a degree in Biomedical Science from the University of South Florida and a Doctor of Chiropractic from Palmer College of Chiropractic. She is also a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program and the Tuck Executive Program, equipping her with advanced business leadership skills.
In addition to her clinical success, Dr. Walker is the creator of the MyHolBody wellness brand and founder of the M3 Mastermind Program, which empowers women in healthcare to grow their businesses through Mindset, Marketing, and Monetization. She is also the visionary behind Healthcare Mavens in Business, a growing community of healthcare professionals committed to entrepreneurship, collaboration, and elevating each other in business and wellness spaces.
Dr. Walker currently serves as President of the Broward County Chiropractic Society and Vice President of the Jamaican Women of Florida. She is also a proud member of The BOW Collective. For her outstanding service, she was awarded the Presidential Service Award by President Joe Biden, recognizing her leadership, advocacy, and impact across healthcare and community initiatives.
