2016 “Be A Voice, Create A Legacy” Gala
Benefiting Voices For Children’s programs to uplift abused, abandoned and neglected local children


Voices For Children Foundation, a Miami not-for-profit organization advocating for children in foster care, and Presenting Sponsor Harry Winston, Inc., the international fine jeweler and watchmaker, served as hosts to approximately 450 of Miami’s most influential and philanthropic individuals for the organization’s “Be A Voice, Create A Legacy” gala.
The premier annual fundraising event kicked off with a cocktail hour on Saturday, January 16, at host sponsor Mandarin Oriental, Miami at 500 Brickell Key Drive, Miami, Fla. 33131. Brittany and Christian Slater served as honorary co-chairs, while radio personality Paul Castronovo of local radio station BIG 105.9’s “Paul and Young Ron Show” served as emcee. The evening sparkled as Harry Winston displayed a selection of spectacular diamond pieces for guests to enjoy including the remarkable 111 carat Secret Combination necklace. They also participated in live and silent auctions for luxury goods.
Guests enjoyed a beautiful performance by a former beneficiary of Voices For Children Foundation, Shakyiah. She performed “Fight Song” by Rachel Platten and also shared her story of determination and perseverance. “This gala was the best night of my life,” she said. As a special surprise, Voices For Children contacted Shakyiah’s brother, Isaiah, and flew him from Paris, France, to Miami to attend her performance at the gala.
Voices For Children Foundation raises funds to help ensure that abused, abandoned and neglected children in the Miami-Dade County foster care system each have the resources to meet their legal, health, educational and social needs.

During the gala, the Zyman Family Foundation was honored for providing more than $400,000 in college scholarships during the past four years through Voices For Children Foundation’s “It Takes a Village” program. The program provides foster youth, both dependent and “aged out,” with funding and other resources to attend college.
The gala was chaired by Miami power couple and longtime Voices For Children Foundation supporters Jeff and Yolanda Berkowitz, and made possible by Presenting Sponsor Harry Winston, Inc.; Golden Fan Guardian Sponsor Jeff and Yolanda Berkowitz; and Dynasty Guardian Sponsors Ruby Bacardi; Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod; Cima Group; Greenberg Traurig; John Moriarty & Associates of Florida; Kaufman, Rossin & Co.; PricewaterhouseCoopers; Jay and Susan Shapiro; and Swire Properties. Media sponsors were Brickell Magazine, South Florida Luxury Guide and Haute Living. Media sponsors were Brickell Magazine, South Florida Luxury Guide and Haute Living. Roar Media was the public relations sponsor, and Parrot Fish Studio was the design sponsor.
To learn more about underwriting opportunities and sponsorships for next year’s gala, please call (786) 469-3861 or email TRodriguez@BeAVoice.org.
Harry Winston Salon Director Leyla Portela, Laura Dowling, and Mary Cunsolo
Carolina & Nelson F. Hincapie, Voices For Children Foundation Board members Abigail Price-Williams and Jorge Gonzalez, Cindy Gonzalez
Pamela Burgos, Leyla Portela, Lena Radonjic, Gala Chairs Yolanda & Jeff Berkowitz
Board of Directors Chair Blain Heckaman, Leyla Portela, Yolanda Berkowitz and Gala Honorary Co-Chair and Board member Brittany Lopez Slater
Mike & Victoria Nuñez
Becky Zyman and Voices For Children’s 2016 Humanitarian Award recipient Jessica Boyd Zyman (center) with John, Keith and Ruth, all ITAV Scholarship Graduates
Gina Castronovo, Isaiah, Big 105.9’s “Paul & Young Ron Show” Paul Castronovo, Gala Emcee, and Guest Speaker and Singer Shakyiah
Ruby Bacardi and Nelson F. Hincapie
Gala Chairs Yolanda & Jeff Berkowitz
Gala ballroom decor
Lydia Touzet, Silvia Boschetti, Maria Berguiristain, Jennifer Kennedy, Laurence Aquilina-Stott and Andreea Baaclea
Paul & Swanee Dimare
Jennifer Valoppi & Christian de Berdouare
Leyla Portela, Jack Jeong, Lindsey Jeong, and Justin Hale
Gala guests on the dance floor
Robert Lederman & Judge Cindy Lederman
Jeff & Yolanda Berkowitz, Lourdes & Mayor Carlos Gimenez, Leyla Portela, Carolina & Nelson F. Hincapie
Leyla Portela, Ernesto & Monica Cohan
Voices For Children Foundation Board member Jeffrey Samas, Voices For Children Foundation President and CEO Nelson F. Hincapie, Voices For Children Foundation Board members Vince Castro, Jay Shapiro, and Angel Ferrer
Zuly & Rafael Perez
Brittany Lopez Slater and Eliana Slate
Victoria, Paul & Sabrina Pino
Samara & Joseph Caruncho
Voices For Children Foundation Board member Rhonda Rose-Drecksler, Alan Drecksler, and Sage Drecksler
Trish & Dan Bell
Richard Berkowitz and Sandy Grossman
Voices For Children Foundation Board member Vince Castro & Deborah Castro
Voices For Children’s Board of Directors and Foundation President and CEO Nelson F. Hincapie